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County approves updated memorandum to participate in Big Fork River watershed ‘One Watershed, One Plan’
Summary
Koochiching County joined the updated memorandum of agreement to develop a Big Fork River watershed plan with neighboring counties, soil and water conservation districts and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe to enable access to noncompetitive implementation grants.
The Koochiching County Board of Commissioners voted Sept. 9 to approve an updated memorandum of agreement to participate in a Big Fork River watershed planning effort under the One Watershed, One Plan framework. The MOA replaces an earlier agreement to add an additional partner and to continue collaborative planning work.
County staff said the planning project is the second part of a multi-phase series that, once the watershed plan is approved, would permit access to noncompetitive implementation funding for projects and programs identified in the plan. The MOA includes the City of Big Falls, Itasca and Koochiching counties, the Itasca and Koochiching Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.
Commissioners noted the watershed spans distinct landscapes and that most of the watershed lies in Koochiching and Itasca counties; staff said some grant-eligibility rules currently limit use to projects “over and above” required county duties but staff are pursuing flexibility for practical projects that improve water quality. The board approved the agreement on a voice vote; the county attorney reviewed the MOA prior to the meeting.
