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FOP 2 Meeting summary- January 18th, 2012
St. Paul Park American Legion
Kevin ChapdeLaine discussed setting up 2 committees. An Executive committee to help with the non-profit incorporation details, and a Creative committee to work on computer/creative/marketing issues. Kevin mentioned the need to discuss the options of which type of non-profit to set up – [503c4] political vs.[503c3] non-political.
The Mission Statement is still a draft, looking for input or comments.
Greg Genz spoke about the DNR, Army Corps of Engineers and the people of Pool 2 that don’t have a voice in changes and laws affecting the Mississippi River. Greg deals with these agencies through his organization. FOP 2 is based upon Friends of Pool 9 out of Lansing, Iowa. They were successful in re-establishing beaches for recreational use in their pool.
Friends of Pool 2 has an opportunity to influence what decisions are being made regarding the river. Greg mentioned the issue of Asian carp and how the Federal and State agencies are not dealing with it. There is currently almost no recreation on the lower Illinois River due to the invasion of Asian carp. Greg attended the DNR roundtable meeting last week, representing Friends of Pool 2, and it seems that we are having some impact.
Channel change for Pool 2. There is so much sediment coming down river from the Minnesota River and it is beginning to impact the main channel. Army Corps is discussing options for the area down by Nininger[miles 820-815]. No one has mentioned about how this will affect residents in lower Cottage Grove. We need to hear from the recreational boaters and other pool 2 users. Make sure we have a voice to ensure that the DNR and the Army Corps of Engineers consider more than just commercial traffic and islands for habitat only. Marinas and back channels continue to fill in.
Pool 2 runs all the way up to mile 14 of the Minnesota River and to the Ford Dam/L & D 1. This organization will have to be contacted, by agencies, before Gov’t agencies hold public meetings/hearings. We need to work to develop some responsibility from the agencies.
Numbers count –The citizens organization, Mississippi River Stewards representing people in the area above the Coon Rapids Dam is an example
Friends of the Mississippi has inroads and a full time staff that allow them to work with critical area plans and have set themselves up as the voice of the river. They are more environmentally leaning. FOP 2 needs to become another voice of the river.
The Mississippi is getting muddier with less sand. All areas of the state, including rural, suburban, and urban neighborhoods are sending too much water into the river creating faster currents that erode shoreline.
Jerry Stensavold is going to be working the boat show for membership.
Tap into the email list from the Miss River Stewards group. They identified all property owners along the stretch of the river. And had coordinating emails for each.
Talk with friends and neighbors to get additional members/numbers/help
FOP 2 Board Elections to come, formation of action committees will follow.
Not just homeowners, businesses, marinas – Include hunters, fisherman, boaters.
Help working on logos, website, marketing, facebook, etc. Friends of Pool 9 are willing to help us with our set-up.
501 C 4 vs 501 C 3 type of non-profit? Group has to decide what we want to accomplish and how.
We will want to have the option to lobby and have a place at the table. Discussion about which politicians to get involved with. Those that help/work with us regardless of party.
Corps of Engineers are channel maintenance, nothing for recreation. We will need to work with the agencies.
