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Controversial Coast Guard plan gets hearing in Duluth

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Coast Guard training exercise
A Coast Guard vessel conducted live-fire training exercises on Lake Erie, August 16, 2006.
Photo courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard

People in Duluth are gearing up for what looks to be a heated public meeting with the U.S. Coast Guard on Monday.

Since January, the Coast Guard has conducted periodic training exercises on the Great Lakes to prepare for law enforcement and homeland security missions. The exercises have included live machine gun fire, and now the Coast Guard wants to establish permanent training zones on the lakes.

Map of proposed training zones
The Coast Guard has proposed seven permanent training zones on Lake Superior, outlined in yellow dots above. The blue dots mark the five-mile distance from the U.S. shore and Canadian border.
Map courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard

Many people, including the mayors of Chicago and Toronto, are voicing environmental and safety concerns over the Coast Guard's plan.

The meeting Monday in Duluth is the first in a series of gatherings where the public can weigh in on the issue. It's the only meeting scheduled to be held in Minnesota.

Duluth Mayor Herb Bergson is planning to testify against the Coast Guard's plan. He spoke with MPR's Cathy Wurzer.

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Coast Guard training exercise
A Coast Guard vessel conducted live-fire training exercises on Lake Erie, August 16, 2006.
Photo courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard