The Minnesota State Cattlemen's submitted comments on behalf of the Drysdale family in an effort to assist them remove their family's farm from being a part of the Army Corps of Engineers draft environmental assessment plan for the Mississippi River Lower Pool 4 dredge material management plan. The current draft of plan will negatively impact the future of the Drysdale family, as we as multiple other family farms in their community.
To view the original letter, click HERE.
June 23rd, 2017
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Attention: Project Management
180 5th St.
E., Suite 700
St. Paul, Minnesota
55101-1678.
Re: Draft Environmental
Assessment for Mississippi River Lower Pool 4 dredged material management plan.
Dear Mr. Bob Edstrom:
We are writing to you to
today to express concern for the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers draft
environmental assessment plan for the Mississippi River Lower Pool 4 dredge
material management plan that will negatively impact the future of multiple
family farms, including Drysdale family farm, along with their surrounding
community.
The current proposed dredge material plan intends
to acquire prime agriculture land that is currently owned by multiple Minnesota
family farms. These farms have been family-owned for generations and we urge
you to consider the impact this plan will have on their livelihood, and the
economies of surrounding communities.
In
addition to the lost tax revenue for their county, the community will also
suffer the loss of the economic stimulus that comes directly from livestock
farmers. Minnesota’s cattle and beef
industry is a diverse and robust sector of our state’s agricultural economy.
Cattle and beef production is the second largest livestock sector in Minnesota,
accounting for 27% of Minnesota’s livestock cash receipts and 13% of the
state’s total agricultural cash receipts. Wabasha County is one of Minnesota’s
top 10 counties for cattle production. In our state, cattle production at the
farm level has a “multiplier effect” of $2.05 for every dollar of output. Specifically,
Minnesota’s beef and cattle production creates economic activities in many
other economic sectors including agronomy, manufacturing, transportation, trade,
services, finance, insurance, real estate, and construction. Minnesota beef
production’s total economic impacts at the farm level (not including meat
processing) is 4.2 billion dollars and employs nearly 27,000 Minnesotans. Our
rural communities simply cannot afford to lose farms and the businesses that
they support; which in turn employ many people within these rural communities!
The Midwest has uniquely remained a region
where livestock and crop farming still maintain a strong connection. The readily available supply of high quality
feed and cattle has allowed diversified farmers to thrive in our region. Removing
a livestock farmer’s main source of feed and forages will effectively strip
them of their ability to remain profitable and ability to stay in business
within our region.
We would like to extend our appreciation for
the public review period extension through July 14th. However, we believe that
more needs to be done to ensure that every possible alternative option and
location for dredge material storage has been thoroughly examined. Many
practical ideas have been shared through community meetings about alternative
options to removing prime farm land from production. These alternatives must be researched and
pursued as the principal dredge and sand material storage locations for the Mississippi River Lower Pool 4 dredged material
management plan.
Thank-you for your consideration.
Please reach out with any questions or concerns you may have going forward.
Kindest Regards,
Ashley Kohls
Executive Director
Minnesota State Cattlemen’s
Association
Posted: July 23, 2017
