Title: Carl A. Pemble Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1958-1971

Creator:

• Pemble, Carl A.

Call Number: River Falls Mss BA

Quantity: 1.6 c.f. (3 archives boxes and 1 flat box)

Repository:

Housed at the University Archives and Area Research Center, Chalmer Davee Library, University of Wisconsin-River Falls, ; owned by the Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Library, Archives, and Museum Collections

Archival Locations:

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

UW-River Falls, Chalmer Davee Library / River Falls Area Research Ctr. (Map)

Abstract:

Papers of Carl Pemble of River Falls, Wisconsin, president of Save the St. Croix, Inc., a citizens' group opposed to construction of a Northern States Power Company generating plant on the St. Croix River at Oak Park Heights, Minnesota, because of its potential for ecological and recreational damage. Also present are papers on the River Falls Committee for Human Survival, a group seeking nuclear disarmament and an end to nuclear testing.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-rf00ba

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In 1964, the Northern States Power Company (NSP) announced its intention to build a coal-powered generating plant on the St. Croix River at Oak Park Heights, Minnesota. The announcement was both applauded for the economic benefits it would provide and opposed for the ecological and recreational damage it might cause. Some opponents of the plan formed the Save the St. Croix Committee to fight location of the plant on that river. Carl Pemble, a chemical engineer in River Falls, Wisconsin, was president of Save the St. Croix and co-chairman of its technical committee.

Activities of the Committee began with arousing public concern and circulating petitions opposing plant construction. A major development occurred in October, 1964, when Wisconsin Governor John Reynolds appointed a task force to study the issue and invited Minnesota and federal agencies to join in the study. Before their report was in, hearings took place before both federal and Minnesota state agencies. On December 10-11, the U.S. Senate subcommittee on public works held hearings in Stillwater, Minnesota. Chaired by Senator Gaylord Nelson, these hearings brought widespread attention to the area. However, the decision-making power lay with the Minnesota agencies, whose hearings were held from January 13 through March, 1965, before the Water Pollution Control Commission and the Department of Conservation.

At these hearings, the Save the St. Croix Committee contended that the plant would cause both air and water pollution, would be a blight on the esthetic qualities of the area, and would present hazards to water recreation on the river. NSP denied these charges and pointed out the economic benefits the plant would provide. On May 12, 1965, the Minnesota agencies granted NSP the needed permits but imposed conditions aimed at preventing water and air pollution. This was a defeat for the Save the St. Croix Committee.

The controversy had a significance beyond this decision however. It was influential in arousing support for national wild rivers and scenic waterway legislation. In its aftermath the Minnesota Water Pollution Control Commission was strengthened, and the Minnesota-Wisconsin Boundary Area Commission was created. The establishment of state parks was encouraged, and the public became more aware of ecology and the need for planning. The Save the St. Croix Committee became a permanent organization devoted to continued promotion of the river's ecological well-being and recreational use.

The papers included here primarily are those preserved by Carl Pemble concerning the Save the St. Croix Committee's fight against NSF. Included are the organization's articles of incorporation, correspondence, and newsletters; copies of testimony and other evidence presented by both sides to the Senate subcommittee and the Minnesota Water Pollution Control Commission; reports of the Joint Federal-State Task Force; clippings; technical data, primarily concerning thermal water pollution; and various publications used for information and reference.

This file mainly contains information that was available to the public during the struggle. Only a few records of the Committee's behind-the-scenes activities are included. These materials are organized basically as Pemble had them, in an alphabetical subject file.

Also included are a small quantity of papers on the River Falls Committee for Human Survival, a group in which the Pembles were active. The committee was organized in 1958 to oppose nuclear testing and to urge nuclear disarmament and negotiated settlement of international problems. The papers consist of news releases, clippings, and correspondence with other groups.

Acquisition Information

Presented by Carl A. Pemble, River Falls, Wisconsin, 1971 and 1979. Accession Number: M71-133, M79-306

Processing Information

Processed by Karen Baumann, 1972 and 1979.

	Save the St. Croix
Box   1 Folder   1	Articles of Incorporation, 1964
	Clippings
Box   1 Folder   2	1964
Box   1 Folder   3	1965-1970
Box   1 Folder   4	Correspondence, 1964-1966
Box   1 Folder   5	Eddy, Samuel, 1965
Box   1 Folder   6	Flow Data, 1964-1965
Box   1 Folder   7	General Reference Materials
Box   2 Folder   1	General Reference Materials, continued
Box   2 Folder   2	Joint Federal-State Task Force, 1965
Box   4	Maps
Box   2 Folder   3	Miscellaneous, 1964-1971
Box   2 Folder   4	Newsletters and Releases, 1964-1966
Box   2 Folder   5	Notebook
Box   2 Folder   6	Thermal Pollution Publications and Papers, 1964-1965
Box   2 Folder   7	Trembley, F. J., 1965-1967
Box   2 Folder   8	U.S. Senate Subcommittee Hearings, 1964
	Water Pollution Control Commission
Box   3 Folder   1	Information Received from the Commission, 1964
Box   3 Folder   2	Hearings, 1965, January 13
Box   3 Folder   3	Hearings, 1965, March 1
Box   3 Folder   4	Hearings - Related Documents
Box   3 Folder   5	Hearings - Summations, 1965, March-June
Box   3 Folder   6	Post-Hearing Stipulations and Programs, 1965-1968
Box   3 Folder   7	Committee for Human Survival