Veterans Lake Memorial was created in 2005 by John and Bonnie Enstrom, to show support and respect for the Minnesota fallen soldiers from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. In recent months the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) and the Anoka County, lower Rum River Watershed Board, have been trying shut down, and make John Enstrom remove the wood chip path around the lake...which he created. The trail is used by many Veterans to raise money for various charities, and provides a place for families of fallen Mn. soldiers to come and pay their respects in remembrance of their loved ones. The wood chip trail was ok'd by the Engineers of the Lower Rum River Watershed Management Organization (LRRWMO) back in 2004. In February, 2010, it was announced that the agreement was only a hand shake and not documented. Therefore they have refused to honor their word to the Enstrom's and the Park. The fine for working in a wetland is the loss of 2 acres of your personal property, for every acre of damage, (except for agricultural lands). Agricultural lands require 1.1 acres to 1 acre mitigation. If this law was followed there would be no problems. But the LRRWMO insists on using the 2 to 1 replacement for Commercial property instead. At the time of construction, and still to date, this is a 130 acre agricultural farm land. By July 12, 2010 Enstrom's either have to agree to the requirements set forth by the ACOE and LRRWMO, or pay a $45,000 fine...which would make them both turn a blind eye and allow the trail and memorial to stay where it is. In some States this would be considered extortion, which leads people to believe that what they are doing here has nothing to do with protecting a Wetland. In fact the ACOE Has requested that harmful pesticides be sprayed to kill invasive species, which are currently controlled by mowing. These pesticides would eventually end up in the Mississippi river, and pollute it for future generations. Enstrom's have said no to this as the whole Park is organic and they want to keep it that way. Please support your hero's, and the Veterans Lake Memorial, by signing this petition, so that we may present this to the courts, to the ACOE and to the LRRWMO...and keep Veterans Lake Memorial Park the way it has been, and always should be. Thank you for your signature and we would like to invite you to go to (www.veteranslake.com) and see what you will be helping to preserve. Your prayers are also appreciated as we move forward, and anyone who would like to become more involved in this effort please contact John or Bonnie Enstrom at 763-441-4086, or e-mail them at enstrom06@msn.com.