Title: La Crosse River Marsh Coalition. Records
Inclusive Dates: 1976-1992

Creator:

• La Crosse River Marsh Coalition

Call Number: La Crosse Mss CT

Quantity: 0.4 cubic feet (1 archives box)

Repository:

Housed at the Special Collections & Area Research Center, Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse; owned by the Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Library, Archives, and Museum Collections

Archival Locations:

UW-La Crosse Murphy Library / La Crosse Area Research Ctr. (Map)

COLLECTION MAY BE STORED OFF-SITE: see catalog entry to request materials and for additional information.

Abstract:

Records, mainly 1989-1992, of the La Crosse River Marsh Coalition (LRMC), a grass roots environmental organization established in 1989 to challenge the La Crosse River Valley Study, an intergovernmental study of the highway needs of La Crosse County (Wis.), and to work for the preservation of the La Crosse River Marsh wetlands. Included are minutes, correspondence, publicity materials, position papers, background information, clippings, maps, and information on the La Crosse River Valley Study.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-lx00ct

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In July 1988 the City of La Crosse, La Crosse County, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation created the La Crosse River Valley Study (LRVS) to examine the transportation problems that were anticipated as a result of population growth in the area. Early in the planning process it became clear that the recommendations would likely include a new highway linking Interstate I-90 with Highway 16 and the expansion of several local roads, the construction of which would necessitate the development of a wetlands known as the La Crosse River Marsh. In order to prevent the development of the marsh for short-term transportation needs, on November 9, 1989 concerned area citizens formed the La Crosse River Marsh Coalition (LRMC). The coalition organized public meetings, created a newsletter, sponsored a petition drive, held educational public meetings, distributed mass mailings, and engaged in a vigorous letter writing campaign.

The records of the La Crosse River Marsh Coalition are arranged alphabetically by subject and document type. They primarily cover the years from the founding of the coalition in 1989 to the publication of the LRVS study in 1992, although a few records date from before 1989. In addition to correspondence, minutes, position papers and plans, publicity, and general information about the coalition and the actions it took to prevent wetlands development, the coalition also collected documentation about the La Crosse River Valley Study. The final report of the study is available in the Historical Society Library's Government Documents section. Unfortunately the fate of the La Crosse River Marsh is not addressed in the collection.

Acquisition Information

Presented by Richard Fletcher, Monroe Falls, Ohio, 2000. Accession Number: M2000-171

Processing Information

Processed by Aaron Pickett and Carolyn J. Mattern, 2000.

La Crosse Mss CT Box   1 Folder   1	City Council actions
Box   1 Folder   2	Clippings
Box   1 Folder   3	Correspondence, 1988-1992
Box   1 Folder   4	Egret newsletter, 1990-1992
Box   1 Folder   5	General papers and background, 1976-1989
Box   1 Folder   6	Grassroots project
Box   1 Folder   7-9	La Crosse River Valley study
Box   1 Folder   10	Maps
Box   1 Folder   11	Minutes, 1988-1992
Box   1 Folder   12	Notes
Box   1 Folder   13	Outline of activities
Box   1 Folder   14	Petition drive and sample
Box   1 Folder   15	Population data
Box   1 Folder   16	Preservation and environmental plan, 1989
Box   1 Folder   17	Position papers
Box   1 Folder   18	Public intervenor
Box   1 Folder   19	Public programs
Box   1 Folder   20	Publicity, mailings, and form letters
Box   1 Folder   21	Steering Committee
Box   1 Folder   22	Volunteers and members