Friday, February 23, 2007

Fishing pier dispute continues

As most who follow local isues in Oshkosh know, a fishing pier - donated by the Otter Street Fishing Club and to be located at the end of New York Avenue in Miller's Bay at Menominee Park - was approved by the Oshkosh Common Council in June 2005, only about 24 hours AFTER it was approved by the city's parks board. Neighbors and other concerned citizens have been fighting against this pier and its location for a variety of reasons, since the beginning.

The group appealed the city's decision to the state Department of Natural Resources, but in October 2005, the DNR essentially reaffirmed the city's decision by giving its formal approval to the pier. The citizens, including attorney Chuck Williams, have requested a formal hearing. That hearing, in front of an administrative law judge, is scheduled for May. In the meantime, the parties will meet for a pre-trial hearing next week, to see if there's any way to mediate their differences. Here is a summary of the status of things right now, as provided to us by attorney Williams. We thank him and his group for continuing to keep us posted on events as they occur so we can bring them to you.

Chuck Williams' note as provided to us:

"The DNR contested case hearing pursuant to Section227.42 Wis. Stats. contesting the DNR permit to allow construction of a 108' by 100' "T" shaped pier at the foot of New York Avenue in Menominee Park in Millers Bay has been scheduled for Thursday May 3, 2007 at 12:30PM and Friday May 4, 2007 at the Winnebago County Courthouse, Room 60, in Oshkosh before Administrative Law Judge, Jeffrey D. Boldt. The issues at the hearing will include whether the pier adversely affects scenic beauty, navigation,
wildlife and or the environment.

"A pre-hearing conference with the Attorney for the DNR, Quinn Williams, and persons representing the City of Oshkosh, Otter Street Fishing Club, and Petitioners who have petitioned for the contested case hearing will be held on Monday 2/26/07 at 8AM at the DNR office on Sunnyview RD. The purpose of the 2/26/07 pre-hearing conference is to discuss if there is any way to resolve the dispute short of the hearing in May.

"Also a request has been made of the city and club to join the petitioners in laying out the pier on the ice with traffic cones in order to get a better idea of its size, but no one has responded to this request of the petitioners and the laying out of the pier on the ice will probably occur after the 2/26/07 pre-hearing conference if the matter is not resolved on 2/26/07."

For anyone wishing more information on the fishing pier issue, search this site OR visit this link at Tony Palmeri.com for a complete archive of articles and information on the issue.

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