Printable Version

Story originally printed in the Winona Daily News or online at www.winonadailynews.com

Published - Thursday, May 08, 2008

Act now to protect our bluffs

By Todd Paddock | Winona

Our bluffs are part of what makes Winona County such a wonderful place. They are dear to us and a huge asset to our county.

Now, I invite you to close your eyes and imagine our county 20 years from now. Do you want to see homes plastered across the bluffs and bluff tops from Dresbach to Weaver Bottoms, from Rollinstone to the Wiscoy Valley? Or, do you want to see our beautiful bluffs as they are now?

If you want the latter, I have bad news and good news. The bad news is that right now, our county commissioners are considering a bluffland ordinance that will allow the spread of buildings across our bluff sides and bluff tops. The good news is that you have the chance to tell your commissioners you want a stronger ordinance.

But you have to act. Call or write the county commissioners and tell them that the draft ordinance needs stronger language. First, structures on the bluff tops must be set back so that they are not visible from valleys below or the main channel of the Mississippi River. Second, no roads or structures should be constructed on slopes over 18 percent grade. Third, the county must provide funds to monitor and enforce the new provisions. It’s that simple.

In addition, you need to come to the open house on the proposed ordinance, which will take place tonight from 5 to 7, at the Government Center (4th and Main in Winona). County staff will explain the ordinance, take questions, and you can write comments.

We have ordinances to protect our neighborhoods and our farmland. Our magnificent bluffs deserve the same.