The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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July 29, 2012

Your View: Le Sueur River has improved

Eugene R. Braam, Mankato

It seems to me the general public feels that the local river quality continues to diminish. My family has been a property owner along the Le Sueur River since 1960. We are nature enthusiasts, so we have been aware of the changing conditions of this river.

Many of our neighbors have been property owners for generations. We do remember the previous river conditions. I even remember when a pollution spill caused a very large fish kill in the river. It took years for the fish population to return.

Recently, a group of friends/neighbors caught and released bass, bluegills, sunfish and crappies on our property along the Le Sueur River. This was a first for us.

There is a pair of nesting bald eagles in the area. So, eagle sightings have become a common occurrence in the river valley.

Last fall, I had the experience of watching a migrating osprey catch fish in the Le Sueur River. The water was clean enough that it stayed in the area for several days.

To me, these are signs that show the water quality has dramatically improved. Therefore, I believe this is something to be proud of.

This area of the Le Sueur River is served by Blue Earth County Soil and Water Conservation District, Natural Resources Conservation Services and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

I would like to thank them publicly for their efforts to enhance the water quality of southern Minnesota.

To them, I say “thank you” for your leadership and expertise in helping make these positive changes.

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