Property owners on Rainy Lake want the International Joint Commission to take a greater interest in CN’s plans to reconfigure the Ranier Bridge.

CN is looking to expand the tracks across the bridge.

Tom Dougherty of the Rainy Lake Property Owners Association says CN has already acquired land in Ranier for two additional lines.

Final design and engineering work are also reportedly underway.

The Association is already concerned about water flowing out of Rainy Lake into the upper part of Rainy River.

Dougherty says they are concerned it could be further restricted by CN’s proposed work.

“We’re very concerned that we could see a further restriction of the flow, and we just can’t have that at all. That cannot happen. We can’t let it happen. No way, no harm,” says Dougherty.

The group would like the ICJ to vet the project, hold public meetings and look for ways the project could improve water flow.

The Associated has turned to Koochiching County’s Board of Commissioners to ask IJC to get involved.

Dougherty notes that the project was not even on its radar until the Association raised it with them.