Minnesota moose survival stands at a crisis point and their habitat is all around Grand Marais. What a unique identity you hold: a city that shares geographic location with this iconic species! Thoughts of that moose on Main Street in the old Northern Exposure television show come to mind.
Unfortunately, sightings are now rare with the exponential demise of the moose population.
Forced by gubernatorial mandate to stop collaring newborn moose calves (often leading to their abandonment by cows) as well as adults in the dead of winter, “researchers” are now shifting their efforts toward improving moose habitat.
While the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) guides planting pines and thinning brush on remaining moose habitat, they turn a blind eye on its overall loss with the extension of the Cook County/Grand Marais airport runway (Cook County News Herald, May 23, 2015).
As the politicians, businessmen and lobbyists glad-hand and slap each other on the back in congratulations on funding acquisition from the U.S. Department of Transportation for this further encroachment, my heart goes out to the moose.
I can hardly tolerate the same old diatribe about “job creation” and “economic growth” as justification. It’s the rural nature of Grand Marais that drives its success, yet we are supposed to be thrilled by clearing of more native vegetation and the laying down of an additional 800 feet of impervious runway.
This is where the rubber meets the road, folks.
We must stop further development into moose territory or accept dwindling habitat as a nail in the coffin of Minnesota moose. That being the nail humans hammered in, along with collaring and climate change.
Linda Ross Sellner
Duluth, Minnesota
Loading Comments