Date February 20, 2002

WHEREAS, Bills (HF 3037 and SF 3158) have been introduced in the Legislature of the State of Minnesota to repeal Laws 2001, Chapter 101, Section 1; and

WHEREAS, there may not exist presently any other laws or regulations to protect adequately the water flow to Camp Coldwater Springs; and

WHEREAS, the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District ("LMRWD") agrees with many others that it is very important to protect the water flow to Camp Coldwater Springs.

NOW THEREFORE, the LMRWD requests that the Bills not be adopted in the present form; and

FURTHER, it may be that a bill that addresses and clarifies the existing statute should be adopted.

RESOLUTION NUMBER 2002-14

WHEREAS, the American Indian Movement is organized to promote understanding of the respective rights of Indian peoples of the American Continent, and

WHEREAS, the American Indian Movement is organized to promote the understanding and awareness of the religious heritage of Native peoples of the American continent, and

WHEREAS, the American Indian Movement is organized to promote the effective management and control by Indian peoples over resources on Indian lands, and

WHEREAS, the American Indian Movement has determined that Indian peoples have a historical and cultural relationship to Camp Coldwater Spring, a sacred site, historically known as the birthplace of Minnesota, located on federal land adjacent to Fort Snelling, should be protected in its pristine state,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the American Indian Movement at its regularly scheduled meeting of the National Board of Directors held in Malibu, California, February 15, 16, 17, 2002 hereby respectfully requests that the Minnesota State legislature do not repeal Chapter 101-I Section 1, passed by the legislature May 11, 2001 and signed into law by Governor Jesse Ventura, May 15, 2001, wherein Camp Coldwater Springs is protected from diminished flow of water by the state, or a unit of metropolitan government, or political subdivision of the state.

CERTIFICATION

The above Resolution 2002-14 is a validly binding resolution adopted by a vote of 7-0-0 by the American Indian Movement Board of Directors at a duly constituted meeting held on February 15 -17, 2002 and such resolution has not been rescinded or repealed in any manner.

Dennis Banks, Chairman

Susan Aasen, Secretary

Date, 2-17-02

Sacred Sites International Foundation

Sacred Sites International Foundation supports the 2001 Coldwater Protection Law and now urges Minnesota State Legislators not to amend or repeal the protections which they legally established.

The site is the birthplace of the State of Minnesota and its natural character should not be compromised. Camp Coldwater is a registered National Historic Landmark with deep sacred and historic importance to Native Americans, African Americans, and people of European heritages.

We urge Minnesota's State Legislators to uphold the 2001 Coldwater Protection Law.

Sincerely yours,
Nancy and Leonard Becker, Co-Founders
Sacred Sites International Foundation
Berkeley CA
www.sitesaver.org
email: sacredsite@aol.com

RESOLUTION of the CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS

By
Johnson Lee, Goodman, Zimmermann, Benson

Supporting the State of Minnesota in protecting the natural flow of Camp Coldwater Springs.

Whereas, the Minnesota State Legislature overwhelmingly passed 2001 Minnesota Laws Chapter 101, which prohibits any state, regional, or local government action that would diminish the flow to or from Camp Coldwater Springs and which requires review ofprojects under the Minnesota Historic Sites Act and the Minnesota Field Archaeology Act;
and

Whereas, the Federal Highway Administration has called on the Minnesota Department of Transportation to do additional testing and monitoring of the site to determine a dewatering rate that will not affect the flow rate at the Springs;
and

Whereas, the extension of Crosswind Runway 4-22 at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport has been postponed indefinitely in
light of reduced demand for a longer runway due to cancellation of nonstop flights to Hong Kong and improvements in airplane technology;
and

Whereas, Camp Coldwater is a registered National Historic Landmark that figures prominently in Native American, European American, and African American history in Minnesota;
and

Whereas, Camp Coldwater lies entirely within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA);
and

Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved by The City Council of The City of Minneapolis:
That the City of Minneapolis supports 2001 Minnesota Laws Chapter 101 as passed and effected in May 2001.

Be It Further Resolved that the City calls on our State Legislators not to amend or repeal these protections for historic Camp Coldwater Springs.

RESOLUTION of the of the Minneapolis Park Board

Whereas: Camp Coldwater Springs is an historical asset, the birthplace of Minnesota;

Whereas: Camp Coldwater Springs is a site sacred to many Native Americans;

Whereas: Camp Coldwater Springs is a bellwether of the health of the area's underground water;

Whereas: The recent 30% drop in flow to Camp Coldwater Springs may be a direct result of construction at the Interchange of Hwys 55 and 62;

Whereas: The underground water in the Hiawatha Corridor is a vital link for our Chain of Lakes;

Whereas: Our Lakes, such as Nokomis and Hiawatha, may be damaged by actions of MnDOT to build an interchange at Hwys 55 and 62;

Whereas: The Minnehaha Park area may lose a vital asset for walkers and runners;

Whereas: The function of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is to protect the environmental resources of the City of Minneapolis and the Metropolitan area;

Therefore, Be it resolved that the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board support Senator Julie Sabo in her efforts to save Camp Coldwater Springs and protect our Minnehaha Watershed area;

And Be it Further Resolved: We oppose any legislation to delete the protection for Camp Coldwater Springs from the Minnesota Highway Authorization Bill.