As part of upcoming work on the Gitchi Gami bike trail, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Parks and Trails Division and commissioner’s office has decided in favor of placing a 60-foot wooden suspension bridge below the 25-foot Fall Creek (Rosebush) waterfall.
Erika Rivers, DNR, informed Bryan Hansel of the decision by email on October 9.
Hansel, and quite a few Cook County residents, are against putting a bicycle bridge across the front of the scenic waterfall, a quiet place of natural beauty enjoyed by locals, artists, kayakers and steelhead fishermen.
In her email, Rivers wrote, “In addition to reviewing many stakeholder communications on all sides of this issue, Assistant [DNR] Commissioner Sarah Strommen and I have consulted with local legislators, other members of the DNR Commissioner’s Office, and our professional facility development and area management staff regarding the three identified options for the trail alignment along this segment:
1) A wood suspension bridge below waterfalls (60-foot crossing);
2) A trail next to Highway 61 made possible by extending a highway culvert; or
3) An intermediate approach between the two others, which would require a 200-foot concrete bridge to span the river above the waterfalls.
Based on our review of the management decision, public letters, comments, and conversations, we are confident that the decision to build the 60-foot wood suspension bridge over the Fall River below the falls (Option 1) is the best option for the following reasons: . Option 1 will minimize visual and other resource impacts. The falls bridge alignment will require the least amount of rock excavation in close proximity to the Fall River of the three proposals and will minimize the amount of vegetation clearing required for construction.
The wood suspension bridge that was designed for this location will blend with the surroundings in ways that our standard trail bridges, like the one that would be required in Option 3, would not.
Because the span in this location is narrower, it is possible to use natural construction materials for this bridge, which our landscape designers believe will be more aesthetically pleasing than the rock and concrete retaining walls required for options 1 and 3. . Option 1 will create a high-quality recreational access to outstanding natural features.
As you (Hansel) allude to in your communications, the North Shore is a true gem of Minnesota’s natural resource heritage and estate. The DNR strives to balance all three components of our mission as we make management decisions that impact our citizens and natural resources: 1) managing natural resources; 2) providing access to outdoor recreation opportunities; and 3) promoting sustainable economic use of our natural resources.
In the case of the Gitchi Gami State Trail, we endeavor to provide an ADA-accessible recreational opportunity that will provide all Minnesotans with access to Lake Superior and its natural features, regardless of financial or physical ability.
The Gitchi Gami is fast becoming one of the backbones of the tourism economy on the North Shore. If it is to become the regionally significant destination trail that it was envisioned to become, we need to find periodic, high-quality alignments for the trail that are situated away from the Highway 61 roadway to enhance the user experience.
In this location, we have an opportunity to pull the trail away from the highway onto public lands, and provide exceptional user experience as we do so. We recognize that there is a trade-off here that some will not be happy with. We understand that some kayak users will feel a changed or diminished experience in this location.
At the same time, a large number of trail users will have the opportunity for an exceptional experience. We do not take this trade-off lightly or without due consideration of many competing factors and influences. . Option 1 will help us mitigate a public safety and natural resource risk.
In our consultation and partnership with the Minnesota Department of Transportation on this project, one concern that both agencies wanted to address was the public safety risks associated with roadside parking on Highway 61 by those seeking roadside (vs. lakeside) access to the falls.
Unfortunately, this has become a dangerous and more common practice over the years as additional people have become aware of the falls. In addition to the roadside safety issues, a series of user-created trails have emerged from the roadway, which will, over time, create compaction and erosion issues if left unmanaged.
This trail alignment option will bring visitors to the falls on a hardened trail that will allow viewing of the falls in a managed fashion. It will also allow access for those with mobility disabilities.
The trail design criteria that ultimately resulted in the decision to pursue Option 1 included Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance; minimization of impacts to natural resources including wetlands, streams, and sensitive shoreline areas; opportunity for expansion of recreational access for all citizens; and alignment with the Gitchi Gami master plan, which was produced though a robust public process in 2002.
While we recognize that you will likely not agree with this decision, we want to assure you that it has been made with considerable public input and professional review and consideration in mind.
At this time, wrote Rivers, “I am asking our Resource and Asset Management Section to proceed with a construction bid process on the Option 1 alignment.”
As for Hansel, a professional photographer and kayak guide, he is considering options—including hiring an attorney—to get the DNR to slow down and rethink this decision.
Leave a Reply