DNR doesn’t want Lake County to use state standards for Silver Rapids Resort

The proposed $45 million Silver Rapids Resort redevelopment project is now being opposed by the Minnesota DNR.

The state agency believes the project parameters should be under Lake County’s residential ordinance instead of the DNR’s standards.

In a letter from DNR ecological and water resources division director Katie Smith, the agency even brought up pursuing legal action against the county.

“As part of Lake County’s consideration of this application, DNR has previously clarified that the county ordinances - particularly those relating to planned unit developments - are indeed applicable. Those ordinances were developed in the mid-90s after the DNR worked with the county Planning Commission and elected leaders to approve the county’s shoreland regulations.

“The county initially viewed the statewide standards as being too restrictive in some areas and too permissive in others. After much discussion, the DNR and the county came to an agreement on a set of regulations that reflect the character and environmental values of the area. Those ordinances were approved in 1995.

“The Planning Commission’s recent approval of the project appears to disregard these ordinances in key areas. One such area relates to the project’s proposed density. Instead of relying on the county ordinances to calculate the maximum number of approved units, it appears the Planning Commission applied less-restrictive statewide standards for commercial PUDs. The Planning Commission reasoned that ‘there is no clear language on commercial use in the Lake County Subdivision Ordinance, so the DNR shoreland commercial PUD requirements were used to make a decision.’ To the contrary, article 6 of the Lake County subdivision ordinance contains clear provisions regarding planned unit developments, both residential and commercial. Accordingly, DNR maintains that those standards, not the statewide commercial PUD standards, form the applicable regulatory framework for this project.”

The letter went on to say the DNR wants the county to reverse its ruling by Sept. 30.

“Absent these changes, the DNR understands that it has thirty days from the September 6, 2024 Notice of Decision to appeal the Planning Commission’s decision to the district court. As always, the DNR remains interested in working with the County and the applicant to bring the development into conformance to protect the shoreland resources, rather than through the legal system.”

State Rep. Roger Skraba said he plans to question the DNR on this letter.

“I plan to meet with DNR officials to find out why the The format of the event, which was sponsored by the Ely Rotary Club and the Ely branch of American Association of University Women, included separate questions directed to each candidate in each round, with the candidates also allowed 30 additional seconds to address either their own question or one posed to a different candidates in rebuttal.

While the abortion debate didn’t dominate discussion, it came to the forefront briefly when Droba asserted unequivocally that “I will stand for reproductive rights for women.”

“I think everybody has the right to make decisions for their own body,” said Droba. “There’s a candidate at this table that has voted against reproductive rights.”

And while Skraba has joined many legislators in opposing a proposed sale of school trust lands in northeastern Minnesota, Droba took a differing approach.

While he favored the sale, he said the land holds higher value and that the state should hold out for more money than currently proposed.

Skraba unseated DFL incumbent Rob Ecklund by a mere 15 votes two years ago, and another close race is anticipated again, with Tru looming as a potential wild card in the race.

Droba, who is the mayor of International Falls, touted his record in the community and highlighted recent growth including the opening of two new hotels and the “first new apartment building in the Falls in 50 years.”

He also said that rural health care is “the focus of his campaign.”

Tru said he is a “true independent” who could be a “deal broker in St. Paul.”

“I believe we have to have less of a tug of war,” he said.

Skraba said he was proud of his first two years in the legislature and of working across the aisle with the opposite party to advance initiatives for his district. That was despite being in the minority party while Democrats held a “trifecta” controlling the House, Senate and governor’s office.

“I’m someone who will vote for my people and not my ideals on everything,” said Skraba.

All three candidates addressed one of the region’s most pressing issues - the challenges facing rural ambulance services.

Ely’s service has dealt with both financial difficulties and personnel shortages during the last two years, and area governments are pondering a consultant’s recommendation that Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital take on ambulance coverage for the Ely, Babbitt and Tower areas.

Droba said Minnesota needs to move so “ambulance is an essential service designated by the state just like fire and police.”

Tru agreed, going so far as to suggest eliminating private ambulance service.

“I’m not a communist, but I believe it’s an essential service,” said Tru.

Skraba noted the ongoing discussions involving the governments and EBCH and addressed other rural health care issues, pointing to the Grand Marais hospital’s reliance on telemedicine for some emergency room visits.

“You’re going to see more of it,” said Skraba. “We can’t keep going the way we’re going.”

Gun rights were another issue on the docket, and Droba said he disagreed with portions of the DFL platform regarding guns.

“I think all folks that do have rifles and shot guns you should have that right,” said Droba. “I truly believe in the second amendment.”

A question regarding LGBTQ rights was posed to Skraba, who responded partly that “People are different. Accept their differences and move on.”

Droba responded “The reality is we need to allow people to live their lives in Minnesota. That’s why we need the equal rights amendment to be in place.”

Tru was posed a question on the 20-year ban on copper- nickel mining development on national forest land in the region.

“I’m not saying I’m a super advocate for copper- nickel mining, but I do not support the outright ban,” said Tru. “I support a more holistic approach.”

Droba said more needs to be done to address mental health in the district and he and Tru both suggested that the legislator who represents the area needs to be more accessible.

Skraba responded that the district encompasses 15 school districts, 11,700 square miles and is larger than nine states, adding that he has put 67,000 miles on his vehicle while traveling the district.

Tru addressed advances in technology and said that artificial intelligence may replace many white collar jobs and exacerbate a need for some sort of universal basic income.

He also suggested a minimum wage of $14 or $15 tied to inflation.

In closing statements, Skraba said “My time on a legislator has been spent working across the aisle on issues directly affecting our district,” citing cooperation with State Sen. Grant Hauschild (D-Hermantown) and State Rep. Dave Lislegard (D-Aurora). “It’s been a learning experience I’ll never forget. I’ve grown as a person and as a legislator. In a time of hyper-partisanship I have forged relationships with other legislators.”

Tru talked of his approach “I wouldn’t call it centrist. I would call it thinking outside the box. I’m not here to provide something that looks like it’s in between to appease both parties. I’m here with real different solutions. The fact that one of the biggest talking points for candidates is ‘Oh I’m working across the aisle.’ The fact that is said so often shows you the honest truth is that most people are somewhere in the middle.”

Droba added “I’ve done some great things in my community in the five years I’ve been mayor. All I want to do is to make sure we have opportunities for young families to be able to grow and have a great experience in northern Minnesota. That will come down to making sure we have access to rural health care, to make sure we have adequately funded ambulances. To make sure we have access to day care, housing.”