Here's what I would do:
Page 1
ANNANDALE ROCK PRODUCTS has applied for the conditional use permit to mine gravel in a nearby area just a few yards away from the public access of Lake John
LOCATION: S1/2 of NW ¼, except the W ½ of SW ¼ of NW ¼; and NE1/4 of SW ¼, Section 35, Township 121, Range 28, Wright County, MN (Lake John-Southside Twp.) Owner: Vertical Venture, Inc
We feel that this venture will have grave negative environmental impact on nearby wells, wildlife, lakes, and streams. Please read the following and join us in this petition to block the proposal.
The current proposal would have the follwoing negative effects:
1. Property values would decrease for residents in of Annandale, South Haven and Wright County immediately and in the future.
2. The proposal would make the immediate area much less visually attractive.
3. The tax base would decrease.
4. Favorable industry would be much less likely to settle in the area.
5. Public records indicate that Annandale Rock has been previously involved in other such projects with disastrous results. (Please see the details of these projects on P2.)
6. It is in direct contract to the Mission Statement of Wright County as detailed on P 2 and on the Wright County Web Site.
7. Such a mining project could seriously disrupt the landscape and change to the land surface pressure, allowing possible runoff pollutants to enter are water ways.
This area is 8 miles from a ski hill, within 4 miles of 3 golf courses, 5 miles from several area schools, and fine restaurants. The land is less than one mile from the public access to Lake John. Does this seem like a good place for a gravel pit, and to leave as a barren eyesore? It certainly is not compatible with the existing residential use.
Page 2:
As homeowners in the area, we have a vested interest in the area. The following passage is taken from the uniform residential appraisal report of one such home dated June 10, 2003 under the segment of “Factors that affect the marketability of the properties in the neighborhood (proximity to employment and amenities, employment stability, appeal to market, ect.):
The market appears very stable in the area at the present time. There are many lakes and recreational parks in the area. The subject is served by the Annandale school system, which is generally considered one of the best in the area. The employment comes from Annandale, South haven, Cokato, Dassel, Buffalo, Howard Lake, Waverly, St Cloud and Minneapolis.
This is directly from the Wright County Government web site.
The mission of Wright County is: To preserve and enhance the quality of life of its citizens by providing quality service, through a participatory process, that holds the welfare of its citizens and their environment as its primary objective.
We have very strong objections to this proposal. We feel it is very dangerous to mine for gravel this close to the lakes and streams of the local lakes, namely Lake John, East Lake Sylvia, and West Lake Sylvia
The disruption of the landscape and possible permanent damage to the water table are too important to take this risk. What would prevent the runoff water from entering the lowland and stream flowing from Goose Lake to Lake John? The buffer layer of soil including the gravel would be removed and lead to a higher chance of pollution entering the runoff, or the water table to pollute the nearby wells.
We hold Lake John as one cherished resource. The only inlet to Lake John is this stream. The lake also has springs near the northwest shoreline. The mining could change the land surface pressure, and the change to the pressure could stop the flow of the springs. This damage is irreversible. East Lake Sylvia and West Lake Sylvia would be subject to the same hazard of low level water and pollution since water flows from Lake John to those lakes.
The city of Annandale is know as the Heart of the Lakes. We do not want to be known as the eyesore of Minnesota, filled with polluted water and barren open pit mines at every corner. We feel our county planning and zoning board has already taken too many unnecessary risks with our surrounding land and lakes and this is where we dawn the line.
We already have four open gravel pits within 2 miles of this proposed area. There are also pits that have been either poorly reclaimed to the point of embarrassment or just left unclaimed within the same 2 miles. They have either no berms or trees to screen the pit, or just token trees planted, with many of them dead or dying. Annandale Rock Products is responsible for many of these same gravel pits. They have made their own reputation in this township and county over the years by the callus systematic action that leaves a big, ugly mess in their path.
The area of Southside Township is now mostly an current eyesore and the ground has been exposed to wind erosion degrading the once pristine landscape.
Allowing this proposal to go forward could be the first step to the destruction of our lakes and lead to pollution of our private wells. Why should we keep taking the high risk? If this area is mined, it is lost forever.
We the undersigned declare that mining this property for gravel is unacceptable. We call upon the Wright Country planning and zoning to deny the request to mine for gravel in the described area.
Then, I would include the page for people to sign. This makes the first page more concise and gives enough information for people. Then if they want to read details, they could read P.2 Maybe even consider making the signature page the second page and the details the third page.
Good Luck on your pursuit - I hope you can get this proposal stopped. It is a worthy cause. Keep up the good work.
![[soapbox]](/data/assets/smilies/soapbox.gif "[soapbox] [soapbox]")
![[flowerface]](/data/assets/smilies/flowerface.gif "[flowerface] [flowerface]")