PRSR HANDOUT #1 10-12-2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Meeting agenda re: NERC compliance clearing under the Great River Energy transmission lines at Hillside City Park in Elk River. Problem: The portion of thejob that took place in Hillside Park was obviously mishandled resulting in substantial property damage to the park. The easement was exceeded unnecessarily in numerous spots, and it can be mathematically proven the removed trees posed no threat to the lines. The park itself was left in deplorable condition after the work was completed. There is evidence of malicious damage done to the park. The guidelines set out in Great River's own vegetation management policy as shown on their own website was notfollowed,nor was the procedure outlined in the letter GRE sent to affected land owners. It is vividly apparent attempts were made to conceal some of the wrong-doing that occurred at this worksite. A substantial clean-up effort was also launched post- complaint, that I'm confident would not have taken place were this jobsite not about to receive a great deal of unwanted scrutiny. Work had been completed for several days, yet within an hour of receiving our call; Mr. Carlson had Carr's back on site, with a full crew, attempting to clean up the park. On Monday a larger log-hauling truck and one worker we also on site all day finishing cleaning up and moving a few insubstantial logs from the numerous piles of very large logs stacked near the boundary of the park, and on the adjoining property owner's land, and for some reason lining part of the trail with them. (?) Proposed Solution: GRE spends a great deal on community outreach and environmental branding. This poorly handled job has caused irreparable damage to a public park, because I00 year old trees can not be replaced. That probably isn't the image a company like GRE would like to portray. Hillside City Park has been vandalized, and is entitled to some sort of restitution. All of the park users are very upset with this situation. We feel the park deserves a reforestation initiative sponsored by GRE put into effect to supply the park with an agreed upon number of trees per year, for an agreed upon number of years (to be negotiated with the City of Elk River). This initiative will be publicized with signage within the park to the effect of, "This tree donated as part of GRE's Hillside Park reforestation initiative 2012" at GRE's expense.