Add your voice to call for full EIS re: Lilydale Park Development Plans!

Report From Friends of Lilydale Park after Monday, 6.18.12 Public Hearing on Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW): 

We're a very long way from proclaiming "Vini, vidi, vici." But a steady line of speakers at the EAW hearing on Lilydale Park plans made clear their strong concerns re: Saint Paul Parks' plans for new roadway, parking lots & buildings in our beloved park. Lack of analysis of plans for using state Legacy Funds for mounding over a decomposing landfill, focusing limited funds on more impervious surface rather than protecting riverbluffs & the water quality of Pickerel Lake, plus increasing motor traffic through "Harriet Island's wild sister" park were among highlight remarks. Almost every speaker pointed out strong reasons why taxpayer dollars should not be spent on the plan until impacts can truly be fully analyzed through a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). 

If you are so inclined, please take the time to submit your written comments about the EAW Report. Your voice truly matters!

Written comments can be sent until July 11 to: 
Alice Messer
City of Saint Paul Department of Parks and Recreation
400 City Hall Annex
25 West 4th Street
Saint Paul 55102
or email:
alice.messer@ci.stpaul.mn.us.

Please cc: your comments to the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board: Env.Review@state.mn.us, Mayor Chris Coleman: Chris.Coleman@ci.stpaul.mn.us along with Saint Paul City Council members & most definitely your state elected officials (House & Senate) since Lilydale is a Regional Park using Met Council & State of Minnesota Legacy parks and trails funds for the proposed "improvements." Parks staff still hopes to break ground yet this summer or fall. 

The goal of the City's process w/ the EAW is for them to determine whether or not it is necessary to do an EIS. Their paid consultant contends an EIS isn't needed. Much public opinion seems to differ and we fear the situation could well turn out to be a classic case of the fox guarding the hen house. Still, we are going to hope against hope that enough of a public press will bring Saint Paul Parks to do the right thing: a full EIS.

(Upon leaving the public hearing, one park staffer was heard saying Parks' would only do an EIS the day a nuclear power plant was proposed for Lilydale Park.) 

The EAW report can be found at this link: http://www.stpaul.gov/index.aspx?NID=2693 It does have an index which can help readers focus on areas of particular interest if time doesn't permit for a full reading of the document.