This story came out in the MNPost today. The author contacted our group and asked for input. We appreciate that. We appreciate that he actually took the time to visit the area and ride his bike there. Unfortunately, he missed many of the key points in his piece that you find folks have covered very respectably in the comments. Read the article and read the comments to the article. The points missed: They want to spend millions and millions of dollars to put a paved trail in a flood plain. They have no plan or budget to pay for upkeep or the inevitable damage due to flooding events. The DNR can't and doesn't have funds to maintain much of what they have now. Nearly 3600 people voiced their opinion by signing our signature opposing a paved trail vs less than 600 signed a petition supporting it. Yes, they are proposing a two trail system. Those two trails will be in a 50-100' wide clear-cut corridor. Hundred ands hundreds if not thousands of trees will be destroyed in the process. That is not acceptable. You don't destroy nature so that more people can supposedly enjoy it. That just does not compute. The DNR's mission statement talks of conservation, sustainability and increasing recreational opportunities. This proposed paved trail takes those first two components and tosses them right out the window for the perceived sake of the third. You don't kill nature to conserve it. Building a asphalt trail in a known flood plain is far from sustainable. The author insinuates that this battle is over. We respectfully disagree. Contact your state representative, the governor, the DNR. Contact them all. Send a link to our petition. Tell them the pork barrel buck needs stop here and now. Save the River Bottoms http://www.minnpost.com/cityscape/2015/10/last-chance-ride-minnesota-river-bottoms-grass-roots-bike-route-s-soon-be-paved