Goodhue County Board briefs

Board shows support for zip rail

Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution Tuesday supporting the continued evaluation of a high speed passenger rail that would run through Goodhue County.

The proposed rail would run about 150 miles from Rochester to the Twin Cities. Olmsted County will keep the Goodhue County Board updated as the project advances. While a timeline for when the project would be finished is unknown, Olmsted County Board Chair Ken Brown said “the best possible solution would be about seven years.”

He added, “but it’s all dependent upon funding,” something Olmsted County anticipates won’t be difficult to attain.

“A zip rail enjoys, if you will, very strong support at a state level,” Olmsted County Commissioner Paul Wilson said.

“I like the idea of a rail rather than another lane on (Highway) 52,” Goodhue County Commissioner Richard Samuelson said. “Then they can actually go 150 mph like they’re trying to now.”

Solid waste management plan moves forward

With Goodhue County’s current solid waste management plan set to expire in July, commissioners approved 4-1 Tuesday a new solid waste plan to start in 2012. Commissioner Ron Allen opposed the plan.

The county’s current solid waste management plan was submitted in 2007 to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency as a 10-year plan and was approved for five years. The new plan will also be submitted as a 10-year plan.

“Even though the plan is an official document, it is not iron clad and can be modified with the blessing of the MPCA,” Goodhue County solid waste official Karl Nilsen told the board.

The Red Wing Public Works Department opposes the county’s plan.

“The fate of the incinerator … is tied to this plan to some degree,” Red Wing Public Works Director Rick Moskwa said during the public hearing at the meeting.

Meeting watch

Tuesday's board meeting lasted about two hours. All members were present.

--Compiled by Regan Carstensen, staff writer

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