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Statewide: June 16, 2011 Archive

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DNR takes lax approach to fences along Sauk River

Posted at 2:00 PM on June 16, 2011 by Michael Olson (1 Comments)
Filed under: Central Minnesota, Environment, Farms

sauk_fence.jpg
Photo credit: Todd Foster

The state's Department of Natural Resources has not enforced a law that forbids fences across the Sauk River in central Minnesota. It is a misdemeanor to obstruct public waters, but farmers continue to run fences between pasture land divided by the river. The fences, sometimes electric or barbed wire, pose a serious risk to canoeists and kayakers.

"[The Sauk River] was designated as a state water trail in 2006 and so our first efforts were in putting a map together and getting information on the website," Erik Wrede, DNR water trails coordinator, said. "Now just recently we've been getting information that there are fences on the Sauk."

The DNR had location data of fences along part of the river in 2008. Members of the Sauk River Watershed District who canoed that portion used GPS technology to map the fences and other blockages in the river.

They relayed this information to the DNR at that time, but Wrede said the agency did not act because the information covered only part of the river.

Wrede is waiting for the completion of a trip, under way now, by Scott Miller and Todd Foster. The duo is mapping all of the hazards along the 125 miles of the Sauk including fences. One the DNR receives their data Wrede says the agency will start working to bring farmers into compliance.

"We want to do it in one fell swoop instead of piecemeal," Wrede said.

Wrede cites difficulty in determining who the landowners are, even with GPS data of the location of some of the fences. The agency also wants to engender goodwill with the farmers that have used the land in this manner for generations.

Miller and Foster are taking a week to paddle the Sauk and have encountered a few fences, less than have been encountered on previous trips. But at this point they are only halfway though and have a significant amount of farmland to pass through yet.

You can follow Miller and Foster on their blog as they update along the way.

MPR News intern Alison Dirr contributed reporting and research to this post

Tell us about Minnesota's river and streams We want to know about the rivers and streams that you know best. Which are in the best condition? Which ones have problem spots? Share your observations here.

Related
Statewide: Mitigation funds available to farmers along the Sauk
Statewide: Canoeists begin 125-mile journey down the Sauk River
Saint Cloud Times: Canoeists aim to get word out on Sauk River

Comment on this post

Swan Lake fisherman recovery intensifies

Posted at 11:13 AM on June 16, 2011 by Michael Olson
Filed under: Around MN

swanlake_googlemaps.jpg

A recovery team is attempting to set up camp near Swan Lake in the boundary waters today after being foiled by bad weather Wednesday. The group will attempt to recover the body of Ty Sitter who was last seen a week ago by his father and brother as he left to go fish the lake. Sitter's body is believed to be 90-100 feet of water.

The remoteness of the lake, in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, makes the recovery difficult as crews can only bring in equipment that can be carried by a float plane.

More from WTIP.

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Opinion
Compromise on budget and avoid economic havoc for families
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Debate
The Insight Now Debates will move from online to on-the-air. On Friday at 11 a.m. we continue this fundamental discussion on the role of government during the"Midday" program on MPR News:

Peter Nelson, policy fellow for the Center of the American Experiment and Dane Smith, president of Growth and Justice will both be on Midday. But this is also your time to join in the discussion. You have a few ways to do this:

1)Continue participating in our online debate thread. I will also be on Midday to relate some of the written comments that have come in.
2) Listen to the Midday program during the 11 a.m. hour and call in.

Today you can read the closing statements by our two debaters.

Then comment on the question at hand. We'll "see" you on the radio, Friday at 11 a.m.

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