To the Editor: I am a resident of the city closely following the proceedings on the Dunes, and have attended City Council meetings, many of which had adversarial tones directed to the advocates. There was a lack of acknowledgement of the legitimate environmental issues. This translated to the Council’s asking them to “shut up” about this issue. All the while they were fast tracking the project for Pulte homes, even to the degree of by-passing protocol. Gas lighting by the city officials was not unusual. The area is a beloved unique place that is quietly sublime and hospitable to a variety of species. Many are rare, if not endangered. A pollinator called the Rusty Coated Bumble Bee being one. There are endangered prairie grasses, and it is a bird flyway. It has a rich indigenous history and much more. All of this is at risk for the sake of 499 houses in an area that has at least 11 home developments and new mega-sized warehouses. Businesses and home building are exploding exponentially.

This got me thinking. To accept the city’s position, I would first need to be on board with the destruction of unique habitats. I would also have to vote yes to school bonding bills that are enormous because schools will have to be built for the coming influx of children, due to their poor planning (The citizens already voted no). I would need to ignore the public outcry for less development in a survey sponsored by the city. I would need to disregard the noise from the railroad that borders these homes, many carrying hazardous cargo that could endanger the homeowners and further pollute the river. I couldn’t care about the increased noise, traffic, and potential ground water pollution. That is on top of Cottage Grove’s PFAS is contamination. I couldn’t embrace the idea that the below ground limestone is subject to karsts and run off seepage. I would have to ignore the huge Carbon Dioxide footprint that will be emanated. I couldn’t think about the Lawn care chemicals running into the river and carried downstream to the St. Croix and beyond, to the gulf. I would have to believe that houses and poorly managed growth is vital to our city while depriving us of green space and trees that protect us from CO2. Additionally, I would have to stroke the egos of our city government and climate deniers, for their ignoring the future impacts of their current decisions. This would also taint our children’s legacy to clean air and water.

Finally, I would have to value money more than the people that live here and the earth we live upon.

I cannot make that sacrifice for 499 homes on the Mississippi Dunes. Would you? Barbara Schwartz