10.b 3-community River Users Group conceptConcerns of the community related to activities on the River
2020 saw a significant increase in all manner of recreational activities. It was great to see folks enjoying the River, but there is a concern that we may be “loving it to death”.
As Fritz Mondale was fond of saying: the greatest threat to the St Croix is from “nicks and cuts”.
Community members are expressing a variety of concerns related to boat traffic on the River:
High speed boat traffic resulting in unsafe operations and impacts on other river users.
Wake-generated waves causing erosion to banks and damage to riparian vegetation.
Impact of bird nesting and other fish and wildlife considerations.
Excessive noise levels generated by power boats with “mud motors” and airboats.
High-powered lights and noise late at night/throughout the night.
Unauthorized uses, e.g., camping in other than NPS-designated camp sites.
Impacts of land use and natural resource trends and activities.
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Initial focus: Develop clear issue statements
Define and characterize issues of concern in enough detail that they can be clearly stated and understood. This includes:
Taking a deeper dive into potential issues of concern to the community through preliminary engagement with stakeholders.
Develop statements that describe each issue of concern in both qualitative and quantitative terms; basically what, when, and where the issue of concern occurs.
Frame the issues of concern in terms of importance and priority
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Do the detailed work: Engage with Stakeholders in developing mitigation options
Identify and engage stakeholders with standing on matters related to the issues of concern. These would include:
Regulatory authorities (e.g., LSCR Cooperative Management Commission and LSCR Partnership Committee).
Local county and town governments.
Enforcement Authorities – NPS, DNR, County Sheriff.
Recreational users with standing on diverse interests and uses.
Adjacent property owners.
Conduct root cause analysis – break each issue down, with the focus on how and why each issue occurs.
Identify and evaluate mitigation strategies for community issues of concern.
It will be important that a River Users Group representing the three jurisdictions reaches consensus and can accurately represent and balance community concerns.
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