2021 Wrap-up!
For nearly a year, we have worked together to Save the Rookery! We Are Just Getting Started!
Here’s what we have accomplished by working together in 2021:
December 2020: Neighbors learn of a development deal in the works: International Properties' General Development Plan (GDP) includes removing an established and unique upland great blue heron rookery and a major portion of the hardwood forest that prevents flooding and erosion from impacting Cascade Creek.
January: Neighbors attend the first public hearing that they know of regarding this GDP, only to learn from the County Commissioners that they “should have voiced their concerns earlier”.
February: On the eve of the destruction of the heart of the rookery, concerned neighbors successfully file a restraining order.
March: Conservation-minded community members attend the County Commissioner’s meeting and voice concern over changing the status of the land from “protected resource” to “suburban development”. They then form Save the Rookery group, launching multiple social media efforts and our website.
April: Court hearing of our Minnesota Environmental Rights Act (MERA) case and injunction against the landowner - the judge determined that the herons are already protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (while nesting), but the MERA case is yet to be determined. Top MN environmental attornies think we have an unusually strong case.
May: Rochester Township agrees to request an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) from the developer thanks to enormous pressure from Save The Rookery, the state-wide scientific community and 1500 petitioners.
June: Save the Rookery files articles of incorporation as a non-profit entity, and Save the Rookery lawn banners begin to pop up all over town as community support grows.
July-August: Over 100 public comments flood in from community members and prominent scientists urging the Township to order an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
September: The Township accepts the EAW, voting against an EIS, contrary to the majority of expert opinions and public commentary and Save the Rookery files an appeal against this decision.
October: We host our first fundraising events - a Heron Trot Fun Run and HERONFEST - with GREAT success! Thank you everyone!!
November: The Township approves the General Development Plan(GDP), fast-tracking the development and ignoring scores of pro-save the rookery community members who attended their meeting. We prepare an appeal of the GDP decision.
December: We file our third lawsuit, appealing the Township Decision to approve the GDP. Careful review by top MN environmental lawyers indicates that we have an excellent chance of winning - bolstered by growing concern (and court cases) over the environmental and social impacts of rampant development.
Thanks to a year of focused effort, the rookery trees and heron nests are intact, but that is only because hundreds of citizens took action -- again and again -- to protect them.
And our fight continues.
How can you help?
Contribute!
We need to raise money to pay our top-notch attorneys and to buy the land.
All contributions are tax deductible, and very much needed and appreciated.
Photo by Michael Melford