Final plans for Camp Coldwater?

BY ED FELIEN

Until March 25, the U. S. Department of the Interior will hear comments on plans for the reuse and restoration of Camp Coldwater. Lyle Laverty, acting assistant secretary of the Department of the Interior (DOI), wrote on Nov. 25, 2008, that the DOI has identified the course of action they recommend for the Bureau of Mines site. It includes the “removal of all existing structures and associated above-ground infrastructure (roads, power lines, ore bins, etc.) at the Center, restoration of the site to natural conditions, restoration of the spring, and retention of the site by the federal government.” DOI also suggests that “long-term ownership of this property should rest with the National Park Service as part of the Mississippi National River & Recreation Area.”

The Bureau of Mines site is a 27-acre plot of land that includes Coldwater Spring. It is within the current boundaries of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area and is part of the Fort Snelling National Historic
Landmark. There are 11 “modern” buildings on the site, numerous ore bins, roads and parking lots. A small, historic well-house is situated at the upstream end of the Coldwater Spring reservoir. The property is located between Minnehaha Regional Park and Fort Snelling State Park, with the Winchell Trail alongside the eastern boundary and Highway 55 to the western edge.
If you are interested in commenting on the proposed plans, the easiest and most efficient method would be to e-mail denise_niedzolkowski@nps.gov.