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Encourages support of moratorium

To the editor:

Hurrah for the backbones of the likes of Laura Walker, Rick Olseen and Ben Montzka. As county commissioners they took the bold step to establish a one-year building moratorium along the Sunrise River and along the national treasure, the St. Croix River.
I am amazed at the shortsightedness of some folks. This is an issue that has been discussed for over five years. Over five years ago the Green Corridor Project, sponsored by 1000 Friends of Minnesota and funded through LCMR funds, initiated public discussion and workshops in both the North Branch and Chisago Lakes communities. These meetings were well attended and the public was invited to select those areas in Chisago County that should be protected from sprawling residential and commercial growth. The county board five years ago did not act and now finally when such a board has acted, folks feel out of the loop.

With one of the fastest growth rates in the state, Chisago County, has taken a necessary step in looking at perhaps the best and most threatened asset the county has and that is its natural and scenic integrity. National studies by the Conservation Fund have shown that communities that protect open space are more desirable of both residents and commercial interests. It is the system that not only assures good health for human and non-human populations but it absolutely contributes to a regionís economic viability. In other words maintaining the green infrastructure is part of the bottom line.
It could be argued that the day after the moratorium was set the land values along the properties affected went up in value. Now that might not be good news for land speculators, but it is no secret that lands that are adjacent to wild lands and open space are generally more desirable for residents.

Watersheds do not know political boundaries. Three years ago I had the privilege of joining two separate high school biology classes from Chisago Lakes and North Branch for ìSunrise Expeditions.î The intent was to lead the students from Chisago Lakes and North Branch to participate in the exploration of the Sunrise River. Enroute they worked together in camping and in gathering, collecting water samples, aquatic life, and noting abundance of native flora and fauna. Each group of students sampled different stretches of the watershed.

The best feedback came during quiet campfire chats or as we paused floating on a quiet stretch of river. Comments included: ìWow, I didnít know this river was so beautifulî or ìI wish more people could see this ... this should be protected.î I came away with a stronger sense of the need to put restrictions to preserve the Sunrise River and the St. Croix River.

I heartily applaud the action of Walker, Olseen and Montzka. It is not easy to govern in a way that addresses both needs and vision, but it is refreshing to have these three in addressing a vision that honors the whole county and its watersheds.

A sound zoning decision for the areas in consideration must meet certain tests: it should be applied evenly to everyone; it should generate far greater benefits than costs and it should convey the benefits broadly on the community as a whole (not just a small group of beneficiaries). The moratorium simply allows a time-out to develop a strategy that honors all residents, human and non-human, in the region.

This is not a time for a bad case of collective myopia. This is a time when we owe those youths, their generation and those that follow, a good dose of far-sightedness.

I would encourage all residents of Chisago County to support the moratorium and to become involved in the process that looks at the long-term health of this small piece of the St. Croix watershed.

Tom Anderson
North Branch

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