The following letter from Arlene Fried regarding Crown Hydro was sent to FERC on February 14, 2014. The Star Tribune article referred to has previously been posted on Park Watch at /2014/01/17/former-fuji-ya-will-yield-its-riverfront-spot-to-even-older-landmarks/
February 14, 2014
Mr. Edward A. Abrams, Director
Division of Hydropower Administration and Compliance
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20426
Re: Crown Mill Hydroelectric Project License, Project No.11175
Dear Mr. Abrams:
I am submitting to FERC the following article by Bill McAuliffe which was published in the January 14, 2014 issue of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. I believe that this article demonstrates the importance of the Falls and the significant role it plays as the centerpiece of the Central Riverfront Regional Park. The aesthetic consequence of diminished flow over the falls which would be caused by Crown Hydro’s proposed project is of great concern to many citizens and organizations.
For that reason–and many others–please consider the Crown Hydro proposal within the context of its potential negative impacts on the entire regional park, which attracted 1.8 million visitors in 2012. Minneapolis and the Central Riverfront Regional Park would best be served by the termination of Crown Hydro’s License.
Thank you for your consideration of this letter.
Sincerely,
Arlene Fried
1109 Xerxes Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55405
Co-founder of Park Watch
Copies to:
Liz Wielinski, President Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
Anita Tabb, Member Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
Jacob Frey, Minneapolis City Council
Lisa Goodman, Minneapolis City Council
Betsy Hodges, Minneapolis Mayor
United States Army Corp. of Engineers
Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota Senator, United States Senate
Al Franken, Minnesota Senator, United States Senate
Keith Ellison, Minnesota Representatives, United States Congress
Walter Mondale, former Vice President of the United States
Paul Labovitz, Superintendent, National Park Service
National Trust for Historic Preservation
Friends of the Mississippi River
Scott Anfinson, Minnesota Archeologist
