BIGFORK — The Itasca County Soil and Water Conservation District is kicking off the management process for the Big Fork River and Little Fork River watersheds with meetings July 22-24.
The informal open houses will help people learn about the watershed planning process, ask questions and share ideas.
The Little Fork kickoff meetings will be 5-7 p.m. at the Cook Community Center on Tuesday, July 22, and the Littlefork Community Building on Thursday, July 24.
The Big Fork kickoff meeting will be 5-7 p.m. at the Pizza Parlor in Bigfork on Wednesday, July 23.
The two watersheds will be planned separately, but the timelines will be very similar, with overlapping planning partners in neighboring watersheds.
The Itasca SWCD said at the meetings, people can:
- learn how the watershed plan will guide future water and land-related projects
- Ask questions and share ideas about what matters most in your part of the watershed
- Meet with watershed partners and neighbors involved in the planning process
- Learn the different ways to participate in the planning process
For more information on the plans, including surveys for each watershed, visit the Big Fork and Little Fork watershed pages.
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Events this week include Indigenous Peoples Day events in Bemidji, Grand Rapids and Brainerd, plus a few local theater productions.
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The agency announced its decision to require supplemental environmental review Oct. 8, 2026, for the copper-nickel project planned between Babbitt and Hoyt Lakes.
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Vincent Bellomo, 76, was sentenced in September 2026. He originally faced six felonies after investigators found he had large sums in his savings accounts while he was applying for benefits.