Contractors to decide fate of fragile Wisconsin River ecosystme
December 13, 2007
CONCERNED CITIZENS OF NEWPORT
N9947 Thompson Drive 608-253-7266
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965 608-253-4028 fax

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Arlene Kanno
608-253-7266
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Permits for Condo Waterpark Development in Wisconsin Dells Challenged

The Grand Cambrian Development, a 200-unit condominium-water park complex, is to be built on 6 2 acres on the shores of the Lower Dells of Wisconsin River in the City of Wisconsin Dells. A DNR-sponsored public hearing on the project will be held on December 20th at the Wisconsin Dells Municipal Building, 300
LaCrosse Street, starting at 5:00 pm.

A group of citizens in the Wisconsin Dells area is challenging the development. "This 200- room condo indoor water park development will effectively pave over 62 acres of pristine woodland, wetland and shoreland," stated Hiroshi Kanno, one of the plaintiffs. "Furthermore, the development will require that a tunnel be built under a railway track to give it access. The city will commit $1.5 million to construct this roadway."

In addition to Hiroshi and Arlene Kanno, other plaintiffs include Barrie White, a resident of the City of the Dells who lives on property close to the development and Lance Ketterer who lives across the river from the project. and Denny Caneff, who has a great deal of experience with
retaining the natural beauty of many rivers in Wisconsin.

The plaintiffs are challenging the stormwater and erosion permits currently under consideration by the Department of Commerce and the Chapter 30 permit being considered by the Department of Natural Resources.

On the stormwater and erosion plans, Barrie White believes that the cutting down of trees, the extensive scraping of the topsoil, the disruption of the wetlands will create new channels of erosion and stormwater runoff which will pollute the Wisconsin River, one of the great treasures of the state. "It is a situation that we cannot allow," she states.

Six condo units will be on a bluff overlooking the Wisconsin River; a six-story hotel will extend along the beach. Tour boat tourists who come to view the scenic beauty along the river will instead be looking at this condo complex as they travel down the river in the Lower Dells. "In addition, the planned boat landing and pier will create further congestion on the river during the peak season." stated Lance Ketterer.

"Of great concern to me is that this scenic natural area which is thousands of years old will be destroyed in a matter of months," said Arlene Kanno.

Also watching developments on the Wisconsin Dells is the River Alliance of WI, a nonprofit river conservation group which launched a Wisconsin River protection initiative earlier this year. The group is not a party of the lawsuit, but is concerned thatthis project will open the door to other similar developments.

"It's a shame that after over 100 years of people protecting the land around the Dells of the Wisconsin River to preserve that area's scenic appeal, that the city of the Dells and state regulators are so ready to let it be changed forever," said Denny Caneff, the groups executive director. "That part of the river is a beautiful window into Wisconsin geological history, and how ironic that a developer would name a bunch of condos after the very geologic features that development will obscure."
Peter McKeever from the firm of Garvey McNeil & McGillivray (608-256-1003) represents this group.

The public is invited to attend this hearing on December 20th. If you are not able to attend the hearing you can send your comments to: Dan Hunt, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, N7725 Highway 28, Horicon, WI 53032.
About the Press Release
Permits issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources which will allow the construction of a condominium waterpark on the protected shoreline of the Wisconsin River are challenged


 
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