Environmental groups appear to be rolling up their sleeves regarding a host of real estate development projects on the Saint Croix River, just east of the Minneapolis and Saint Paul metropolitan area.

Stillwater real estate

The scenic Saint Croix Riverway, which separates Minnesota and Wisconsin over much of its length, has been a development battleground in the past.  The Saint Croix flows over 160 miles, from Upper Saint Croix Lake and Lake Namekagon all the way to Prescott, Wisconsin, where it merges with the Mississippi River.   The river is a highly-protected zone, under the guardianship of the National Park Service and, at various points, the respective Departments of Natural Resources of both Minnesota and Wisconsin.

One aspect of the current battle is a proposal by Rob Hubbard (son of media mogul Stanley S. Hubbard) to build a ten thousand square foot home along the river bank.  The Sierra Club and the Minnesota DNR have both become involved and the battle has now reached the Minnesota Court of Appeals.

In nearby Hudson, Wisconsin, another project is contemplated, a condominium/hotel/retail complex close to the Saint Croix River.  Like the Hubbard proposal, the Hudson project is a matter of considerable controversy.

It's likely that the battle to rein in development on the Saint Croix will go on.  At stake is the scenic character and preservation of the Saint Croix Scenic Riverway. 

 
This post has been included in Minnesota Information

6 Comments on Environmental Battle Ramping up Over Saint Croix River Development

This will be an inteesting development to follow, hard to say what will become of this controversy, do you have any take on it? Lance

01/17/2008 10:25 PM by Lance Winslow (The Car Wash Guy)

Lance, I've read in various publications that the Hubbard family feels they are being singled out because of their wealth.  The people who are spearheading the effort to preserve the Saint Croix riverway insist that this is not the case.

I plan to report on the development battle as it progresses.  Stay tuned!

01/18/2008 01:15 AM by Wayzata Lakes Realty: Eric Kodner Sells Luxury Homes

Hi Eric - Keep us updated. A 10,000 sq ft McMansion? Not a small footprint! I wouldn't think they are being singled out due to their wealth, more likely do to the impact on the riverway and precidence for future developments. Interesting!

01/19/2008 09:45 AM by Mary Bigelow, Renewing Your Life! (Ma's Marketing)

Mary, we're seeing some of the same development struggle on Lake Superior as well.  The Saint Croix situation is a bit more complex, because the greater Twin Cities metro area has begun expanding across the border into Wisconsin and the riverway has become part of the urban sprawl that is inevitable as a major metropolitan area grows.

01/19/2008 11:28 AM by Wayzata Lakes Realty: Eric Kodner Sells Luxury Homes

HI Eric -- similar going on in the Saugatuck Dunes right now! I have a good idea who will eventually win the battle. Hopefully, they will stick to what they say and minimize the impact on the dunes.

01/21/2008 06:14 PM by Mary Bigelow, Renewing Your Life! (Ma's Marketing)

Mary, I think there are similar environmental battles shaping up all over the United States.  As urban areas develop and sprawl, we're going to see more of the same.

01/28/2008 07:40 PM by Wayzata Lakes Realty: Eric Kodner Sells Luxury Homes

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