In The Know

• May 9, 2008 7:39 am US/Central
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  In The Know: Taking Care Of The River

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In The Know: Taking Care Of The River

(WCCO) More than 1,000 people enjoyed the yearly Millard Fillmore dinner near the riverfront in St. Paul. The get together is a community effort to take care of one of the greatest natural wonders in the world, the Mississippi River. Don Shelby was there to help them celebrate their gift to our future and said 'boy, have the people of St. Paul done it, along with people all along the Upper Mississippi Riverway.'

There is a new national park coming, but the credit goes not only to the volunteers and the governments, but businesses who've thrown their muscle and money behind the salvation of the river.

Fifteen years ago, Xcel planted some 10,000 trees around its coal-fired power plant on the river, and that natural ethic sort of caught on in the business and it transformed the plant from coal fire to natural gas with a huge reduction in CO2 output. And now the 50 acres of land that used to be used for coal mounds and trains, will become a riverfront park.

Thursday was a celebration of past accomplishments, and a look forward to what people can do together in saving just one of creation's most wonderful resources. They deserve their celebration, and the country's thanks.

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