Strong Opposition to Mississippi Plan at Winona Hearing
by Erin Galbally,
Minnesota Public Radio June 1, 2005
A poster
showing the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. Roughly
three million people spend time on the refuge each year. Whether they're
hunters, anglers, boaters or campers, they take a toll on the river's ecology.
(MPR Photo/Erin Galbally) There are a lot of angry people along the Upper
Mississippi River.
More than 400 folks attended a public hearing in Winona
Tuesday night, opposing new regulations proposed for the Upper Mississippi
River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is
responsible for the 261 miles of river and surrounding area that make up the
refuge. Agency officials have decided it's time to revisit some rules that have
been on the books for decades.
Winona, Minn. — Ken Rackow says the
Mississippi River defines his life. He's a long-time fisherman and an avid
hunter. What's more, Rackow makes his living as a taxidermist, preserving all
varieties of game captured along his slice of the Mississippi in Winona. When
Rackow talks about proposed changes to how the river is regulated from Wabasha
to Rock Island, Illinois, he says he gets angry. And the subject of his anger
these days is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "They didn't think it out
clear enough for the public, and I think they need to turn around and rethink
this situation a lot better than they already have," Rackow said. "They took a
lot away from the people and we're not getting anything back." Rackow says an
extensive report produced by the agency details a series of new restrictions
that he believes would keep many recreation enthusiasts off the refuge. Rackow
is especially concerned about plans to convert some traditional hunting areas
into hunting-free zones. He says the proposed restrictions would unfairly hurt
many of the area's older hunters, who are no longer comfortable heading out
into fast-moving water. Renee Walz says she, too, grew up on the river and
continues to spend plenty of time out on the Mississippi. Stretching her legs
in between presentations, Walz says she's worried about a proposal to take some
of the area's beaches and islands out of commission. Walz says the proposal
flies in the face of local tourism efforts. "Camping is certainly an issue on
this river," Walz said. "Our state ... and Wisconsin spend millions of dollars
to bring tourists to our communities, and now what are the limitations going to
be?" Other attendees spoke against proposals to limit the use of loud motors in
backwater areas. Many questioned restrictions on trappers. Still others voiced
fears that the plans signaled an effort to keep people away from the
Mississippi. Daniel Burt drove over to the meeting in Winona from his home in
Fountain City, Wisconsin. He says he's an avid water skier, and noted that at
least one part of the plan would prohibit waterskiing in a spot where he's
always waterskied. Burt says the Fish and Wildlife Service's eagerness to make
large changes makes him uneasy. "I think we probably need some things, but
probably not everything," Burt said. "Sometimes it seems that the birds and
animals and insects are more important than what the people want." According to
the Fish and Wildlife Service, the plan is all about balance. Roughly three
million people spend time on the refuge each year, more than visit Yellowstone
National Park annually. And those visitors, whether they're hunters, anglers,
boaters, or campers, take their toll on the river's ecology. It was a message
that resonated with a representative from the National Audubon Society, who
spoke in favor of the Fish and Wildlife Service's proposed changes. But he was
clearly in the minority. Instead, most of those who had a chance to speak into
one of the roving black microphones sounded a lot like Ray Heidel. "There's a
refuge that sits on our river. And some of the regulations that they are trying
to bring through with the preferred alternative takes the use away from many
areas of our river," he said. Heidel's rally cry led to a round of applause. He
carried a folder filled with comment sheets, encouraging everyone to make their
opposition known. Another large crowd is expected at a hearing in Wabasha
Wednesday night. The Fish and Wildlife Service will also hold a series of
public workshops on the subject. Comments will be accepted through the end of
August, and a new plan is expected to be adopted early next year.
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