National Park Service Opposes Crown Hydro License

The National Park Service submitted the following letter to FERC, opposing the Crown Hydro attempt to ammend their existing license.  Download the original at the bottom of the article.

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United States Department of the Interior

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Mississippi National River and Recreation Area

December 30, 2013

Mr. Thomas Griffin

President, Crown Hydro LLC

5885 139^th Street West

Apple Valley, MN 55124-6465

Dear Mr. Griffin:

The National Park Service (NPS), Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (NRRA), has reviewed Crown Hydro’s latest proposal to amend its license for the Crown Mill Hydro Electric Project (Project) – FERC Project No. 11175-024.   We concur with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) that the proposed Project is substantially different from the one for which Crown received a license in 1999, and that you should submit a new license application.  (April 15, 2013 letter to Crown from FERC).

The Project is located entirely within the Mississippi NRRA.  The NRRA was designated by Congress in 1988 to “preserve, protect and enhance the significant values of the Mississippi River and to provide for orderly public and private development in the Twin Cities metro area.” The authorizing legislation requires that all federal agencies undertaking projects within the NRRA coordinate with us (P.L. 100-696).   Also, the Federal Powers Act requires consultation with the NPS for amendments or modifications to an existing license (18 C.F.R. §4.38 et. seq.).

The NRRA, however, was not invited to consult on the currently proposed Project prior to the public meeting on November 26, 2013, either by Crown or the Corps of Engineers.  For some reason, the NRRA is no longer listed on the official service list.  FERC, in its letter directed to you on April 15, 2013, required consultation with the NRRA.  Due to the serious questions we have with the new proposal, we formally request to meet with Crown before the company submits the project’s license application to FERC. 

A representative of the NRRA attended the November 26 public meeting.  The public and various agency representatives asked many important and pertinent questions that Crown was unable to answer.  Without answers to the questions raised, the NRRA cannot adequately assess the viability or impacts of the proposed project.  FERC and the Corps of Engineers also requested information and studies that would help the NRRA and public better understand the Project’s potential impacts, but Crown has not addressed those requests or provided the studies. 

As currently proposed, the Project has a new boundary and new lands and resources not previously analyzed when FERC first issued the license. The tailrace discharge tunnel is in a new location, which may cause different construction, hydraulic and environmental impacts.  The NRRA is concerned that the Project could seriously impact nationally significant cultural, natural and recreational resources, as well as the visual integrity and economic vitality of the St. Anthony Falls area.  The St. Anthony Falls Historic District and the individual sites within it are nationally significant and helped convince Congress to establish the NRRA.  As proposed, the new project could adversely affect individual sites, the overall historic district, and the scenic and recreational qualities of the area.

We continue to be very concerned about the potential impacts to St. Anthony Falls’ aesthetic character, which is central to the area’s economic revitalization.  As pointed out in the November 26 public meeting and in comments from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and others, the St. Anthony Falls area has seen tremendous monetary investments since FERC initially granted Crown its license in 1999.  Far more people live and recreate in the area.  Visitation has climbed to over one million people annually.  The flow of water over the falls is a key aesthetic component of the visitor experience.  What might have been acceptable in 1999 is not today.  The issue is more complicated than the quantity of water.  Previous discussions of this issue have raised the potential of treating the spillway surface to create the appearance of more flow, by making the water jump and splash more than it does now.  Overall, this issue needs much more public review and consideration than it has received.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this project.  We look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Paul Labovitz

Superintendent

cc:

Edward A. Abrams, FERC

Nicholas J. Utrup, USFWS

Nick Chevance, NPS

Official Service List – FERC Project No. P-11175

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Download original letter...

The Metrodome is Deflated

The dome was deflated this morning, demolition will follow soon to make way for the new Vikings stadium.  Video courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings.

Tonight: Pete Hohn Artist Reception at Carbon Chroma Gallery in the Northrup King Building

Pete Hohn is an award winning photojournalist for the Minneapolis Tribune and Rochester Post Bulletin. He captured Twin Cities life from the 1950s - 1980s.

Carbon Chroma Gallery, located in the Northrup King Building, is hosting an Artist Reception tonight, January 18, from 6-9pm. Pete's retrospective is on exhibit thru January 25.

Tonight! Neighborhood Meeting: Ryan Companies Downtown East Redevelopment Update at Open Book

Ryan Companies Downtown East Redevelopment Update

Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm

Location: Open Book, 1011 Washington Avenue South

The Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association, Elliot Park Neighborhood, Inc., the Mill District Neighborhood Association, and the East Downtown Council are co-hosting a joint neighborhood meeting tonight, January 16, 6:30pm at Open Book.

The joint meeting is an opportunity for Ryan Companies to give downtown residents and businesses an update on their Downtown East Redevelopment Project. This project was approved by the City’s Community Development Committee on Tuesday, December 10, and approved by the full City Council on December 13.

Vikings Stadium Construction - Week 8

A preview of the deflation of the Mettrodome scheduled for January 18, 2014.  The picture below is from the December 12, 2010 deflation of the Metrodome caused by a large snowfall.

We're attempting to publish a photo with this same view each week from the start of construction through the first game played at the new Minnesota Vikings Stadium in Downtown Minneapolis.

Vikings Stadium Construction - Week 7

One last spectactular sunset before the Metrodome is deflated and demolished.

This is a shot at sunrise on a bitterly cold afternoon.  I researched this phenomenom and found that I captured a "light pillar".  A light pillar is a visual phenomenon created by the reflection of light from ice crystals with near horizontal parallel planar surfaces. The light can come from the Sun (usually at or low to the horizon) in which case the phenomenon is called a sun pillar or solar pillar. It can also come from the Moon or from terrestrial sources such as streetlights.

We're attempting to publish a photo with this same view each week from the start of construction through the first game played at the new Minnesota Vikings Stadium in Downtown Minneapolis.

The Film Society of Mpls St. Paul Presents THE CRASH REEL January 10-16

THE CRASH REEL is screening January 10-16 at The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul's St. Anthony Main Theatre.

This eye-popping film seamlessly combines twenty years of stunning action footage with new specially-shot verité footage and interviews as it follows U.S. champion snowboarder Kevin Pearce and exposes the irresistible but potentially fatal appeal of extreme sports. 

View Trailer.

Parkway Closures for January 1, 2014

The following parkways will be temporarily closed January 1, 2014, for these race events:

January 1 – Polar Dash 14 Mile, 10K & 5K:  9:00am – 2:00pm – East River Parkway

January 1 – Life Time Fitness Commitment Day 5K:  6:30am – 10:30am – West River Parkway from Plymouth Avenue North to Franklin Avenue South

Please note that the duration of the closures is subject to change based on the event's start and finish times.  A complete list of current and upcoming parkway closures is available online.

Vikings Stadium Construction - Week 6

The hole is getting much deeper.  Excavation continues.

We're attempting to publish a photo with this same view each week from the start of construction through the first game played at the new Minnesota Vikings Stadium in Downtown Minneapolis.

Street Closures Around Metrodome for December 29 Vikings-Lions Game

The City of Minneapolis will close several streets around the Metrodome as a security measure for the Minnesota Vikings game versus the Detroit Lions this Sunday.

Beginning at 10:00am, Sunday, December 29, the City will close the following streets:

· Fifth Street, from 11th Avenue to Park Avenue
· Chicago Avenue, from Third Street to Sixth Street
· Fourth Street, from Park Avenue to I-35W
· Norm McGrew Place, from Third Street to Fourth Street

These roads will reopen approximately two hours after the completion of the game.

For real-time information for lane closures and construction in downtown Minneapolis, see the right-of-way permiting map.

New: Science on Screen Series from The Film Society of Mpls St. Paul

The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul, in collaboration with the Bakken Museum, is pleased to present Science on Screen, a new series of occasional screenings and discussions on science in film. The series is made possible through a grant by the Coolidge Corner Theatre, with support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

Science on Screen launches with a special presentation of James Whale’s 1935 The Bride of Frankenstein, and a pre-reception and introduction of the film and commentary by Rebecca Bergman.

By all accounts, including that of the late great Roger Ebert, this is the best of the Frankenstein films. Inspired by Mary Shelley's masterpiece, this brilliant, funny, satirical film explores the making of the Monster’s mate, with Boris Karloff (the Monster) and Elsa Lanchester (Mary Shelley). The restored print, highlighting the film’s great use of light and shadow, camera angles and architecture, is a revelation on the big screen. The film’s connections to Medtronic and to the Bakken Museum, both founded by Earl Bakken are many, including the use of electricity in medicine and the "in vitro" pacemaker used in the film by Dr. Frankenstein, which inspired Bakken to invent the modern pacemaker.

The first event is scheduled for Wednesday, January 15, 2014. Tickets are $15 General / $10 Film Society & Bakken Members, which includes light food, speaker, film and cash bar.  More Info, Purchase Tickets.

Aster River Room, 125 SE Main Street
5:00-7:00 Pre-Reception
6:00-6:45 Film Intro and commentary by Rebecca Bergman

St. Anthony Main Theatre
7:00-8:30 Film Screening
Informal Post-screening gathering at Aster Cafe River Room

Merry Christmas to our Mill District Neighbors!

Wishing you a delicious Holiday filled with family and friends. :)

Bridge Connecting Boom Island and Nicollet Island Closed

Via a December 23 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

Beginning Friday, December 20, 2013, pedestrians may have noticed barriers at both ends of the old railroad/pedestrian bridge over the Mississippi River east channel from Boom Island to Nicollet Island to prevent vehicles, including Park Board maintenance vehicles, from crossing the bridge.

The closure follows a City of Minneapolis inspection report that notes the advanced state of deterioration of the superstructure below the bridge deck.

The Park Board has been informed that the bridge can still carry pedestrian traffic, so the bridge remains open for walkers and cyclists.

Park Board maintenance staff will continue to remove snow from the bridge using non-vehicular methods.

The Lifetime Fitness Commitment Day 5K race on January 1, 2014 will go on as scheduled following their planned route.

Vikings Stadium Construction - Week 5

Excavation continues.

We're attempting to publish a photo with this same view each week from the start of construction through the first game played at the new Minnesota Vikings Stadium in Downtown Minneapolis.

This Video Will Lure You to Aster Cafe

While checking out their upcoming events, I noticed this video on Aster Cafe's website and felt the need to share it.

PS - Their lemon pie is sooooooo good!  :)

Christmas Dinner and Skating at The Depot

Christmas is next week!  Enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner in the neighborhood from 4:00pm - 8:00pm at The Depot.  Added bonus - The ice rink will be open for skating from 12:00pm - 9:00pm!

       

Gold Medal Park to Be Preserved for 50 Years

The 50 year plan to preserve Gold Medal Park passed at the December 10, 2013 public hearing of the Minneapolis City Council Community Development Committee, and was approved 2 days later by the full City Council. Below is the video of the public hearing:

Download the staff report:

https://app.box.com/shared/static/dkgu9u4u203m519dxemn.pdf

Vikings Stadium Construction - Week 4

More equipment on site, excavation continues.

We're attempting to publish a photo with this same view each week from the start of construction through the first game played at the new Minnesota Vikings Stadium in Downtown Minneapolis.

December 14 Mill City Farmers Market - Food, Friends, Gifts

Beautiful arrangements from Gold Finch Flowers and gorgeous creations from St. Croix Chocolate Company added to the festive atmosphere of the December 14 Market.   The next indoor Market is Saturday, January 11, 2014.

It wouldn't be a Market without the Singing Hills goat!

Thank you to the Mill City Museum for providing the indoor Market space! :)

Spoonriver Announces Free Range Speed Dating - Coming in January

Here's a neat twist on the speed dating concept - Free Range Speed Dating at Spoonriver.  There are six dates scheduled, and each event will cater to a specific demographic, as listed in the below graphic. Sounds like a fun way to meet someone in your age range who also shares your interests.