Sign the petition: https://chn.ge/2vRshPp
The Fall River enters Lake Superior a few miles west of town (heading south on Highway 61). There used to be a rest area and parking lot at the location, but it was removed years ago. Before the river enters the big lake it plunges over a 25-foot waterfall. There’s a pool under the waterfall and you can swim and wade and get showered by the waterfall. People love it. It’s a favorite of many locals who grew up visiting the secluded beach. Even though it is right next to the road, it feels like you are at a remote campsite. And speaking of campsites, it is a campsite on the Lake Superior Water Trail.
It also photographs great as you can see from the following photos.
The DNR wants to build a bridge right in front of it.
It would be a bridge for the Gitchi-Gami State Trail. In their previous planning documents, the DNR has always shown this bridge next to Highway 61. But, this is the new plan. And the kicker was they weren’t even going to share this with us until the Grand Marais mayor got on their case.
This is a terrible idea and almost everyone I’ve spoken with thinks the same thing:
- Why wouldn’t they put it next to Highway 61?
- Why would they put it in front of the waterfall? Seems like a bad idea.
Seriously, why wouldn’t they put it next to Highway 61?
One of the answers I got from the DNR project manager was, “A bridge at this location would be a visible intrusion to the drive by motorists.” As if it wouldn’t be visible to beach goers and those swimming under the waterfall.
It seems like I’m always the person trying to protect our lands from well-intentioned, but crazy plans that we run into up in Cook County. I’m a landscape photographer and love these lands. It would be a shame to destroy the beauty of this waterfall by putting a bridge in front of it, especially when there is a viable alternative.
Public Meeting
There will be a public meeting on July 12th, 5pm in the Grand Marais City Hall about this bridge. If you can make it, please, come and tell the DNR, NO!
Please, Write the Following Public Officials and Say, NO! to the Fall River Bridge
Sign the petition: https://chn.ge/2vRshPp
If you can’t make it, please, write an email to these folks. Reference the Fall River Bridge for the Gitchi-Gami State Trail.
This is the guy at the DNR in charge of the project: Mark.rudningen@state.mn.us
This is the DNR commissioner: commissioner.dnr@state.mn.us
This is the mayor: jay.a.decoux@gmail.com
You should also email the Cook County commissioners:
robert.deschampe@co.cook.mn.us
myron.bursheim@co.cook.mn.us
Jan.sivertson@co.cook.mn.us
Heidi.doo-kirk@co.cook.mn.us
ginny.storlie@co.cook.mn.us
Thanks, Bryan! We’re all over it. ~Denny & Maryl.
Will do!