Corps of Engineers sets dates for two open houses to hear ideas to enhance Mississippi River Headwaters environment

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, is hosting two open houses to get ideas and seek public comments on plans to enhance the environment at its six Mississippi River Headwaters reservoirs.

Open houses will be held in:

• Crosslake, Minnesota, July 20, at the Corps Cross Lake Recreation Area, 35507 County Rd. 66; and
• Walker, Minnesota, July 21, at the Walker Area Community Center, 105 Tower Ave.

Both meetings will begin at 5:30 p.m., with a brief presentation about the Corps of Engineers current reservoir operations and the Sustainable Rivers Program – a nation-wide initiative that explores changes to reservoir operations to enhance the environment. While there are no current changes planed for the reservoirs, Corps officials emphasized a desire to hear the public’s thoughts on areas that could potentially be enhanced through modifications to the current reservoir operation plans. Following the presentation, Corps officials and partners with The Nature Conservancy, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe will be available to discuss the program. The open house is scheduled to end at 8 p.m.

There will be two identical presentations to discuss the program at 5:30 p.m., and 7 p.m. The public can learn more about the initiative by visiting www.mvp.usace.army.mil/sustainableriversprogram. 

The public can also provide comments by sending a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
St. Paul District, ATTN: RPEDN-Planning, 180 5th St. E, St. Paul, MN 55101, or via email to MSRiverHeadwaters@usace.army.mil. All comments should be submitted no later than Aug. 31. Corps staff will compile the comments and write a report that will outline the potential next steps. Any recommended changes would include another public comment period.

The public is asked to take appropriate precautions and adhere to the latest Center for Disease Control guidelines in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

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