DNR lists

concerns

about golf

course at

Ft. Ridgely

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

ST. PAUL -- The future of a $1.5 million golf course renovation project at Fort Ridgely State Park became clouded recently when a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources official listed a number of project concerns in a letter to a local official and area politicians.

Project details included moving hole No. 5 west of a county road, making it a par five hole, replacing artificial turf greens with natural grass, adding bent grass to fairways, native plants to out-of-play areas and adding wildlife habitat that would act as buffers and make the course more appealing. Plans included new wetlands, prairie and savannas.

In February, project plans designed by Bonestroo and Associates of St. Paul were revealed at an open house at the park chalet. Construction was to start this fall or next spring.

In a two-page letter dated Nov. 22, Courtland Nelson, Director of the DNR Division of Parks and Recreation, noted six project issues.

The letter was sent to Friends President John Fritsche of New Ulm, state Representative Brad Finstad and state Senator Dennis Frederickson, both of New Ulm, and three other area legislators.

The letter stated that the DNR became concerned about several project issues as it was preparing to put out to bid the architectural and engineering contract for the course.

Issues according to the letter included water rights, the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), tribal concerns, missions of state parks, annual and long-term operational costs and course capital costs.

In order for golf course plans to proceed, the DNR would need to purchase water rights to replace (mitigate) the water that would be taken from the Minnesota River for course irrigation, according to the letter.

In addition, easements would be needed for the waterline through private property to the park. Nelson wrote that the DNR is trying to define related costs plus those of pumping and storing the water.

Other issues were Native American burial and battle sites located throughout the western end of the proposed golf course. The DNR asked for a formal letter from the SHPO regarding available options and mitigation direction if project design and construction proceed.

"We have concerns about building new holes that are in direct conflict with the important values of SHPO and the legal implications of those values," Nelson wrote.

A letter from the State of Minnesota Indian Affairs Council noted strong opposition to the new golf course. Comments focused on construction appropriateness "over a former military site and Indian burial grounds."

Regarding state park missions, the letter stated that Fort Ridgely is one of only two state-owned golf courses. The other, managed by the Minneapolis Park Board, under a lease agreement at Fort Snelling, provides $125,000 in annual revenue to the DNR.

Nelson's letter questioned whether the golf course is a clear part of the state's mission considering the number of golf courses near Fort Ridgely.

The letter stated that the new course and its new turf management would increase DNR operational costs that were not budgeted for in recent years. The park's management plan, amended in 2000, reads "operation of the golf course will continue as long as it does not interfere with the park's other primary resources and its use can justify operation. However, its operation will be continually re-evaluated based on the new data regarding its use and cost of operations and maintenance, in light of overall use of the entire park and historic site."

The letter said about $35,000 of more than $1.5 million budgeted for the project has been spent. The next steps involving water development, engineering plans and construction are expensive.

"We feel that the above questions need to be answered clearly before we expend funds for development," the letter stated. "We want to keep our options open as we collect more information. We will work toward making a good policy decision for the park and all involved. Please continue to support the park and our fine staff."

Fritsche talked Monday about the project and Nelson's letter. He urged the public to attend the next Friends of Fort Ridgely meeting.

"The Legislature gave us the money to do it. Now the DNR says all these things are issues," Fritsche said. "This will likely delay or could kill the project."

He questioned the issue of Native American burial sites and battle sites, which he said were not brought up since the U.S.-Dakota War until now.

The Friends of Fort Ridgely will meet at 7 p.m., on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2005 at the state park chalet. For more information, call Fritsche at 354-4387.

(Fritz Busch can be reached at fbusch@nujournal.com)