Friends of Grey Cloud-Save the Dunes!

Friends of Grey Cloud was formed in early 2022 by a group of citizens concerned about the proposed development of the former Mississippi Dunes golf course in Cottage Grove, Minnesota. Our Friends group has expanded its mission to protect further and buffer the Grey Cloud Dunes Scientific and Natural Area and Lower Grey Cloud Island. Much of Lower Grey Cloud Island was proposed as a regional park in the mid-1990s, but various roadblocks have prevented the park's creation thus far. Happily, there is a resurgence of local support for creating a Regional Park on Lower Grey Cloud Island.

The Mississippi Dunes is a 185-acre property located on Mooers Lake, a lake connected to the Mississippi River. It features sweeping views of historic Grey Cloud Island and the Mississippi River valley, 3000 feet of Mississippi River shoreline and significant ecological, historic and cultural resources. The site's stunning natural features include remnant oak savannah, native and restorable prairie, wetlands and dunes. It serves as a refuge for many endangered and threatened species, provides habitat for rare pollinators such as the federally listed Rusty Patched bumblebee and actively captures carbon from the atmosphere. The property is recognized as critical habitat and provides a natural buffer for the river from the city above.

What is the concern?

Despite opposition by many local community members via regular participation at City Council, Parks and Recreation Commission and Planning Commission meetings, the City of Cottage Grove has pushed forward its plan to rezone the property to allow for dense housing development. The proposed development would include hundreds of single-family homes, townhomes and senior apartments. This site is wholly unsuitable for housing development due to its fragile soils and ecological, cultural and historical significance. Its highest and best use would be as a sizeable nature-based park to provide a buffer and a connection between the neighboring Scientific and Natural Area and Lower Grey Cloud Island Regional Park.

Friends of Grey Cloud has filed an appeal in District Court to require the City of Cottage Grove to perform an Environmental Impact Statement for the property vs. simply rubber-stamping the Environmental Assessment Worksheet prepared late last year. The City Council failed to allow public comment on the 374 pages of submitted comments. Instead, it approved the EAW on its consent agenda to avoid discussing the comments which universally opposed the development.

Friends of Grey Cloud has also challenged the process undertaken by the City of Cottage Grove to request an amendment to their Comprehensive Plan. We believe that they have violated the Metropolitan Land Planning Act rules for such approvals in their hurry to approve the Pulte development.

We have put together a remarkable team of citizen volunteers, including lawyers, scientists, teachers, and advocates, but we need your help! We encourage you to join our group, sign our petition, participate in public meetings and help us to raise the funds we need to offset our costs for legal filings, data requests and court transcription fees.

We ask that you be a part of history. Development of the former Mississippi Dunes property should not be allowed. Period. Money is available to work with the current owners to purchase the property for conservation vs. development.

Concerned citizens have the power to protect their future and to save natural lands for posterity. Please join us!

Friends of Grey Cloud

www.friendsofgreycloud.org

[email redacted]