2003 - 04  Strong Minnesota Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

WHEREAS Minnesota's Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was created by the Legislature in 1973 to provide extra protection for the portions of the State's river systems deemed particularly valuable and in need of such protection, and

WHEREAS the Mississippi River from the Tenth Street Dam in St. Cloud to Clearwater was designated in 1976 as deserving of "scenic" protection status, and the portion from Clearwater to the Coon Rapids Dam was designated as "recreational", and

WHEREAS the Department of Natural Resources Mississippi Scenic Riverway Management Plan is now in the revision process, and

WHEREAS intense development pressure on the Mississippi River, especially on the scenic portion, threatens the health and character of the River as never before,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Minnesota Division of the Izaak Walton League of America, in Annual Convention April 26, 2003, reaffirms it's commitment to a strong Minnesota Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, and;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Minnesota Division call upon the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to draft and implement a strong rule to deliver real protection, not necessarily ease of administration, particularly for the Scenic portion of the Mississippi River between St. Cloud and Clearwater, and;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources maintain its overall responsibility to oversee all local land use decisions in the protected corridors.