Big Muddy Speaker Series presents:

Panel Discussion on the future of Bangert Island

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

6. p.m. Social Hour at Big A's on the Riverfront
7:00 p.m. Presentation

At Big A's on the Riverfront (in the back room)
308 N Main St. -  St Charles, MO
(directions below)

Presentation is FREE and open to the public! 

Hosted by Greenway Network

This panel discussion will be led by Greenway Network discussing the proposed development adjacent to Bangert Island, a wild island park adjacent to the Missouri River just south of the I-70 bridge in St. Charles. Bangert Island was a Conservation Area owned by the Missouri Dept. of Conservation which gave up the control of the island to the City of St. Charles. The island is currently leased to St Charles County Parks and volunteers have established a trail system in the park. The park is wonderful wildlife habitat and is great for bird watching.

Greenway Network will share some of their concerns about the proposed Bangert Island development, adjacent to Katy Trail State Park and the Bangert Island Park and located in the Missouri River floodplain. For more information on the development, see the project website - bangertisland.com. They are concerned that the development will have negative impacts on the Missouri River such increased polluted stormwater runoff affecting our drinking water, a more constricted floodplain resulting in more flooding and increased taxpayer costs associated with the repairing damages incurred flooding events. They predict the development will increase traffic danger on the Katy Trail and have a serious environmental impact on Bangert Island.

In addition, the organization points out the lack of citizen input in the tax abatement strategies the developers and city are exploring.

Here is a resolution the Greenway Network passed in 2014:

"Whereas Bangert Island Conservation Area and nearby properties along the Katy Trail State Park are in St. Charles County and are zoned by St. Charles County as open space and parks because the properties are very prone to flooding. Greenway Network suggests the properties adjacent to the Bangert Island Conservation Area, some of which had been included in the 1993 St. Charles County flood buy out program remain in St. Charles County as open space. Greenway Network suggests that programs be developed to buy properties from willing sellers of properties along the corridor between the Katy Trail and Bangert Island. Those properties could then be included in the  Bangert Island Conservation Area and would enhance the nearby Katy Trail and the Bangert Island  Conservation Area. Greenway Network  suggests  future economic developments in the vicinity  of the Bangert Island Conservation Area and the Katy Trail State Park be located along the west side of South River Road and be compatible with St. Charles County Zoning Regulations."