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.
