Residents and landowners in the Little Fork River Watershed are invited to take part in a new, locally driven planning effort focused on the long-term care and management of our water and land. Local government units are initiating a comprehensive watershed management plan for the Little Fork River Watershed. The Little Fork River Watershed Planning Partnership was created through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to create a watershed-based plan under the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources One Watershed, One Plan (1W1P) program. The current MOA partners include Koochiching SWCD, Koochiching County, North St. Louis SWCD, St. Louis County, Itasca SWCD, Itasca County, and the City of Littlefork.

What is a “comprehensive watershed management plan”?

A comprehensive watershed management plan is a document that lays out a locally and collaboratively developed strategy to manage, protect, and restore water resources on a watershed-wide scale. The plan will cover a wide range of water management topics including drinking water sources, flooding, surface and groundwater quality, wetland management, invasive species, habitat, forestry, cultural resources and other water management topics identified as important to local stakeholders. The process will prioritize water management issues, target resource concerns, and develop measurable goals.

What will this plan do?

This plan will identify the voluntary projects and activities that local partners will direct time and resources on to protect and in some cases, restore important resources in this planning area for the next 10 years. Funding will be provided to carry out these activities through the Clean Water Land & Legacy Amendment.

What will this plan NOT do?

This plan does not take away or override any existing local authority. Local governments are not required to participate. While this plan will work to align local plans and citizen input with state strategies, this plan is not regulatory and does not change any local, state, or federal regulations.

If you live, work, or spend time in the Little Fork River Watershed, we encourage you to join the conversation at one of the upcoming kickoff events (this is an informal, open-house style event with snacks and refreshments): · Tuesday, July 22nd from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Cook Community Center · Thursday, July 24th from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Littlefork Community Building

· If you’re unable to attend one of the events in person, you can still share your input by completing a brief online survey at https://koochichingswcd.org/LFR_1W1P or click on the QR Code – the survey will remain open until August 15, 2025.

Written responses (emails or letters) can be submitted by August 15, 2025 to pam.tomevi@co.koochiching.mn.us or

Pam Tomevi

Koochiching SWCD

501 3rd Street, Suite 100

International Falls, MN 56649

To learn more about the Little Fork River One Watershed, One Plan (1W1P) process, contact your local SWCD or water management office or visit https://koochichingswcd.org/LFR_1W1P.