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Great River Road commission re-elects officers, backs Leech Lake scenic‑byway grant request
Summary
At its June meeting the Minnesota Great River Road Parkway Commission re-elected its officers, authorized an executive committee, approved a letter supporting the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe’s National Scenic Byways grant application, and reviewed legislative, budget and program updates including a $29,000‑map reprint and a $1 million interpretive‑panel refurbishment need.
The Minnesota Great River Road Parkway Commission re-elected its leadership and approved a letter of support for a Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe scenic‑byway grant application at a hybrid meeting that closed out the commission’s fiscal and program year work.
Senator Karen Housley, who chaired the meeting, opened by noting the recently completed legislative session and several statewide wins: “We finished the legislative session…we got her done,” Housley said, listing a roughly $700 million bonding package that commissioners said included infrastructure projects, a Bureau of Criminal Apprehension facility in Mankato, a $55 million item for the Anoka/Miller mental health facility, and about $290 million targeted to drinking‑water and wastewater projects.
The commission held its biennial officer elections. Carl Samp called for nominations and the body re‑elected Anne Lewis as secretary‑treasurer, John Anfinson as vice chair and Karen Housley as chair. Commissioners then authorized an executive committee that will include those officers plus regional member Sally Feinde and Lisa Havelka from Explore Minnesota; the motions carried on voice votes.
Budget and production updates followed. Staff reported remaining funds near the close of the biennium and described a map reprint contract not to exceed $15,000. “That agreement is in place not to not to exceed $15,000,” staff said. The commission agreed to print 29,000 Minnesota Great River Road maps for distribution to about 40 partner locations this month.
Commissioners discussed digital products and outreach as well. A new “plan your trip” application is in agency review with a target public rollout in August and a kickoff aligned with Great River Road month and the national meeting in September. Marketing leads said the Great River Road was recently named USA Today’s 2025 “best scenic drive,” and national offices will run promotional campaigns and event sweepstakes.
The commission also reviewed a corridor‑wide need to refurbish roadside interpretive panels. Staff cited a 2021 survey and an initial estimate of roughly $1,000,000 to refresh content and replace worn signs and frames; members discussed funding options including legacy and parks funding and recommended the executive committee scope the project.
On formal action, commissioners approved providing an updated letter of support for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe’s National Scenic Byways grant application. Staff noted the project’s total cost listed on the application at about $6.8 million and that local match would come from Cass and Beltrami counties. The motion to approve the commission’s support passed on a voice vote.
Agency partners offered brief operational updates. Amanda Durnberger of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reported a recent fish‑tagging effort by partners at Lock and Dam 5, saying the tags have already yielded recaptures that provide data for invasive carp management; she said she would follow up with specifics on species and recapture locations. DNR staff also described progress on projects tied to the 3M settlement, with co‑trustees expecting to select projects by January 2026.
Before adjourning, commissioners flagged outreach and programming opportunities: members encouraged coordinating National Mississippi River Day proclamations to avoid duplicative advocacy, discussed options for hosting components of the national annual meeting in Baton Rouge and debated how to budget for regular map runs going forward. Chair Housley adjourned the meeting after closing business.
Votes at a glance - Approval of agenda and Feb. 21 minutes: motion moved and approved (voice vote). - Elections: Anne Lewis re‑elected secretary‑treasurer; John Anfinson re‑elected vice chair; Karen Housley re‑elected chair (voice votes). - Executive committee appointments (officers plus Sally Feinde and Lisa Havelka): approved (voice vote). - Letter of support for Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe National Scenic Byways grant (project cost noted at about $6.8 million; local match Cass and Beltrami counties): approved (voice vote).
What’s next The commission will schedule executive‑committee work to scope the interpretive‑panel project and the map and travel app budgeting. Staff will collect indications of interest for the national meeting in Baton Rouge and finalize travel approvals as allowed by the commission’s budget.
