Lake Bemidji

The second and final public comment evening for the boundary dispute trial heard a broad mix of comments from affected residents along Lake Bemidji.

Plus: The Minnesota Department of Agriculture announced it has $11 million to expand its innovative irrigation program; MnDOT staff will host an open house in Cloquet ahead of a planned 2028 project Thursday, Oct. 2; and Kootasca Community Action is gathering gently used costumes for Grand Rapids and I-Falls trick-or-treaters.

A similar hearing for Bemidji residents will be hosted at the Sanford Event Center on Oct. 8, 2025.

The administrative trial over who will manage wastewater around Lake Bemidji began in July 2025, with hearings Sept. 29-Oct. 10, 2025, in Northern Township and Bemidji.

Northern Township has planned to construct a municipal wastewater facility for years, even acquiring federal grants. Bemidji filed a countersuit to annex Lake Bemidji this spring, prompting the administrative trial.

The trial on whether the city broadens its boundary around the lake or Northern Township becomes a city will take months, as both seek to install municipal services around Lake Bemidji.

Northern Township is planning to assess Lake Bemidji residents to build a new wastewater treatment facility, and the nearby city of Bemidji is looking to annex the same properties.

Township officials estimate more than 300 people attended the informational meeting on incorporation into a new city on May 7, 2025.

In a resolution passed unanimously on April 21, 2025, the Bemidji City Council also issued a notice of intent to annex Northern Township property around the lake.

Chris Lahn presented on 50 years of aspirations to wrap sewer services around the highly developed Lake Bemidji during a BSU Earth Day event on April 22, 2025.