Thanks for your thourough and thoughtful letter. Although I don't fish that stretch of the river often I know the danger the river can pose at any time of the year. The failure to address an obvious public safety issue of this magnitude is truely dissapointing.
We should all take time to contact our local governments to address issues such as this. This is an excellent example of the way in which public officials can be adressed in a respectful yet pointed way to ensure the safety and beauty of the river we all spend so much time one. I believe that these types of communications will garner positive result with a bit of persistence. Thanks.

not trying to sidetrack the thread at all, but John, could you shoot me an email at gpbakken at gmail?

thanks!

Grant

This is from Yesterdays Chaska Herald.

End of the line: Railroad abandonment approved
By Mollee Francisco
Created 08/21/2008 - 1:54pm

“Tracks out of service.” The signs grace all of the railroad crossings throughout downtown Chaska, and they’re not about to change. Chaska’s downtown rail line has run its course.

“The state’s approved it and it’s basically being finalized,” said Ray Smith, facilities and quality systems director with United Sugars.

On March 31, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) granted Union Pacific’s request to abandon five and a half miles of track in Carver and Scott counties.

The counties, as well as the cities of Chaska and Carver are now working through the finalization process including decisions about what will happen with the railroad’s right-of-way.

Meanwhile, those served by the tracks, like United Sugars, are looking for alternatives to life without the railroad.

Log jams

United Sugars isn’t the only entity affected by the loss of the railroad. Each spring, the city of Carver depended on the railroad to clear log jams from the Minnesota River. No railroad means the city is without the ability to clear the logs stacked in the river near the bridge.

“The city can’t do anything,” said City Administrator Jim Elmquist. “There’s no capital, no funds.”

Elmquist said they are still investigating the possibilities to alleviate log jams as they continue through the abandonment process. “It may be part of the final agreement,” he said.


Here's the full story.

http://www.chaskaherald.com/news/business-news/end-line-railroad-abandonment-approved-4960

As was the response I got from the City.....

They are aware the bridge piers have shifted......They are aware there is a risk to the boating public......but no one is going to do anything about it.

Yep, until after it's too late.

BTW, Great letter John.

Well,

I think we can figure out a way to make a hole. I have been diagnosed with the "knack" for years......

And...other....social ineptitudes.

Can he lead a normal life?

No...he'll be an engineer.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

That's great!

Sometimes you need to take matters into your own hands




Now that was one LONG extension cord

Is this the crew of the MN River dredgers? I know of a few trees down my way that could be removed as well

All I can say is very nice job guys. A big thanks to you for opening up the gateway to heaven.

haha

Looks like an episode of dirty jobs! Should have got mike rowe to come help you!

Talk about bringing a knife to a gunfight

Now why would people work so hard to fish above the carver tressle anyway?

That is good video !

True river rats.

Good work.

tweed