--- "Gifford Insurance Agency, Inc."
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> From: "Gifford Insurance Agency, Inc."
> <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>, <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Fw: Proposed ATV Park on Turkey
> River/Elkader
> Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2000 16:44:37 -0600
>
> Dear Charlie & Dick,
>
> Jane Clark suggested that I e-mail you regarding the
> following message.  I'm not sure if you have been
> here or not, but this ATV site is a beautiful
> location and perfect for canoeing or walking on the
> Pony Hollow Nature Trail across the river.  It is
> not at all well-suited for an ATV Park.
>
> Also, for more details, a guy in Iowa City started a
> web petition with a DNR map of the proposed park.
> It can be found at www.noatvpark.org.
>
> Please pass the word if you are so inclined.  Any
> help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
> Thank you.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gifford Insurance Agency, Inc.
> <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Wednesday, November 22, 2000 1:42 PM
> Subject: Proposed ATV Park on Turkey River/Elkader
>
>
> I live in Elkader in northeast Iowa.  If you've
> visited the area, you know that we are blessed with
> several rivers, wooded bluffs, and a rolling terrain
> that is unique to this corner of the state.  That is
> why I chose to move back here from St. Louis.
>
> I am writing this to ask for your help to stop the
> DNR's proposal to locate an ATV/OHV park along the
> Turkey River near the confluence of Robert's Creek
> on land adjoining Elkader.  I can't imagine a worse
> location!
>
> The proposed ATV park includes 240 acres stretching
> approximately 1 1/2 miles along the Turkey River
> just south of the Highway 13 bridge.  Not only does
> this land border the river for 1 1/2 miles, it also
> includes sinkholes and algific slopes, steep
> hillsides, wooded areas and yellow lady slippers.
> Obviously, it is home to wildlife as well.  In fact,
> in the fall, I have personally counted over 25 bald
> eagles on a stretch of river no more than 2 miles
> downstream.  Friends of mine have counted over 50!
>
> The Turkey River is a popular canoeing stream.  The
> length of river between Elkader and Motor Mill (5
> miles) is the most heavily canoed stretch and is
> arguably the nicest canoeing water in Iowa.  With
> this park, approximately 1/3 of the trip will be
> lost to ATV noise and disruption.  (The ATV
> enthusiasts argue that the noise would be no worse
> than the traffic on Hwy 13.  However, what they
> neglect to mention is that the highway crosses the
> river at one point, while the ATV park traverses the
> river for 1 1/2 miles!).  The only house or farm
> building on the river in this area is the Helle farm
> (proposed sellers).  With most of Iowa already
> plowed under, we need to cherish and protect the few
> "wild" places we have left.
>
> There are several other reasons to object to this
> site, not the least of which are, proximity to two
> parks and a county nature trail, and the closeness
> to residential neighborhoods in Elkader.
>
> We have a growing base of local support for our
> efforts to derail this project.  However, we need
> more broad-based support from the environmental
> community if we are to effect any change on the
> DNR's position.
>
> I do not live by the proposed park.  However, I am
> an avid kayaker, hiker and closet environmentalist.
> I have also been a member of the Sierra Club off and
> on over the past several years and am currently
> sending in my renewal for next year.  Can you use
> your weight to apply pressure to stop this?  We have
> been writing letters to the DNR (Arnie Sohn, in
> particular), but could use e-mails from across the
> state.  I really can't afford to push this much
> further locally, but it would be an outrage to lose
> this beautiful valley to something like this.  Any
> help you could give us would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Thomas Gifford
>
> Elkader, IA 52043
> E-mail (Home): [log in to unmask]
>
>
>


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