Just over a month ago, we republished Terry Kalil's Letter: MNDOT's plan to resurface Hwy 34 may ruin Lake Country Scenic Byway
She's not alone in opposing the clear-cutting of the red pines along that section of Highway 34.
On Friday, Nathan Bowe reported in the Detriot Lakes Tribune, Becker County asks MnDOT to reconsider tree-cutting on Hwy 34:
Becker County commissioners have joined the chorus of voices asking the Minnesota Department of Transportation to sheath its plans for large-scale tree cutting along scenic Highway 34.
The board voted unanimously to send a letter to MnDOT asking it to reconsider its tree removal plans along the stretch of Highway 34 from Four Corners to Osage.
“I don’t like to tell another agency, that we don’t have any control over, what to do,” said Commissioner Barry Nelson. “We just ask that they reconsider that extreme cutting to that degree … We value the trees in that area, and this is overkill.” . . .
The issue arose because MnDOT plans to remove all trees 65 feet back from the center line on both sides of Highway 34 in Becker County from Four Corners to just west of Osage.
It also plans to clear out the majority of trees in one of the most beautiful parts of Highway 34, on the south side along a seven-mile stretch from Snellman to the Shell River. There, three-quarters of all trees will be removed, from the clear zone back to 150 feet.
The affected area offers one of the best, most visible Showy Lady’s Slipper orchid populations in the region, and opponents fear the logging activity and loss of trees will decimate the state flower in those areas. MnDOT says it will mark those areas to help contractors avoid them.
Bowe notes the range of people who spoke out against the project:
. . .“You don’t see that many lady slippers in the ditch within viewing range,” Dr. Ron Miller of Fargo told commissioners. “Usually you have to go into the woods to find them.”
Miller was one of several people, both in-person and remotely, who spoke against the tree-cutting plans at the Feb. 15 County Board meeting.
“It takes special conditions for lady slippers,” he said. “What will happen when the trees are gone and the shade is gone?”
It’s not just a beautiful stretch of roadway that will be scarred for a generation, it’s also an economic blow to the region, since autumn foliage tourism on Highway 34 has an economic impact of $29 million a year, Cleone Stewart told the county board prior to the vote. She is tourism director at Detroit Lakes Tourism Bureau and Regional Chamber of Commerce. . . .
Bill Henke, who represents the local Izaak Walton League, said the trees will be destroyed out of a misguided effort to enhance roadway safety.
“Really there’s no data to support that diminishing trees that shade the highway (will improve safety),” he said. “The tree removal plan violates the spirit and the mission of the scenic byway program and violates the state’s vegetation policy to protect and enhance the native environment." . . .
Howard Mooney of Detroit Lakes, owner of Howard Forestry LLC, told commissioners that he is “normally a strong proponent of timber sales – but this is a very different matter … if you’re taking out 75% of the trees, it’s not thinning, it’s near clear-cutting.” . . .
When you've lost timber sales guys, MNDOT, it's time to reconsider.
The paper came out against the project in a February 3 editorial, MnDOT needs to slam the brakes on Highway 34 tree-cutting plan.
Photo: A group of Showy Lady's Slippers along Highway 34. They are the official state flower, but that offers them no special protections. Contributed to the Detroit Lakes Tribune/ Kelly Blackledge.
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