Boreal Access

This week marks the year anniversary of the Ham Lake Fire, Minnesota’s most destructive fire since 1918. The fire consumed 76,000 acres in the United States and Canada and destroyed 138 structures on the US side of the border. The losses for many were devastating. Wilderness Canoe Base, a Lutheran youth camp situated near the end of the trail, lost more than half of its buildings. But Wilderness, as the camp is often called, is still going strong and that’s in part do to the ways in which the local community has pulled together in the wake of the tragedy.  WTIP’s Barbara Jean Meyers reports.

Listen to full story

Maranda Weber, the border patrol agent involved in the accident that resulted in the death of Dr. Ken Peterson, failed to appear for arraignment in Cook County District Court on May 7. Weber was indicted on two misdemeanor accounts, careless driving and failure to drive with due care, by a Grand Jury in April. The defense counsel, DeWayne Johnston of Grand Forks, North Dakota, has filed both a notice of intent to remove the case to federal court and a waiver of his client’s presence in Cook County District Court. The defense has also requested that the matter be set on for jury trial. County Attorney Tim Scannell commented in a press release dated May 8, “The defense has unfortunately and negatively characterized the opinions of Cook County residents, the efforts of local law enforcement, and the community’s ability to handle this case in a just manner. I believe that these claims are inaccurate and inappropriate. Local and state law enforcement has, throughout, handled this case with the care and attention it deserves.” Scannell went on to say that, “Local concern regarding this matter is natural given that the case involves the loss of a respected and beloved community member. Such concern does not mean, however, that the defendant cannot receive a fair trial in Cook County.” The notice of removal and the certificate of waiver filed by the defense are both public documents. The county attorney’s press release and other materials related to this matter may be found online at: http://www.co.cook.mn.us/attorney/index.html.

On April 30 the Grand Marais City Council considered a request for a one year leave of absence brought forward by Property Maintenance Worker Tim McLean. McLean also asked the city to pay him in a lump sum for his accrued comp and vacation time saying, “I’m moving out of state and just want to simplify things. I don’t want to have to deal with direct deposit and mailing checks back and forth.” But According to City Administrator Mike Roth it’s against city policy to pay out vacation and comp time to city employees in a lump sum. Roth added that McLean could take a vacation and be paid on a day to day basis until his vacation days were used up. After that, he could begin his unpaid leave of absence. McLean was not interested in that option at the time and said, “Well I guess I’ll resign, effective as of now. You can pay me out accordingly.” McLean then got up and walked out of the meeting. After McLean left Roth commented, “I hope he reconsiders because if he doesn’t give his two weeks notice we don’t have to pay him for his vacation time at all.” In a phone interview with Roth on Monday, May 5, Roth said McLean had reconsidered his resignation and would be seeking city council approval for a leave of absence at the city’s next meeting.

Listen to full report from the council meeting

Due to the late spring thaw this year, many waterways on the SuperiorNational Forest, including portions of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), remain partially or entirely frozen at this time. However, conditions are rapidly changing.

Visitors interested in fishing or any other activities on lakes and streams need to use care in deciding where they will travel and consider changing ice conditions.  Remember that ice which was frozen along the shoreline early in the morning may thaw on a sunny day leaving several feet of open water by noon.  Even the thick ice out on a lake can begin to soften, break up, and move around in the course of a warm spring day. If, in light of the current conditions, you want to cancel a reservation for a wilderness entry permit or for a reservation at a campground on the Superior National Forest outside the wilderness, it is important to contact the national reservation center in a timely manner.   There are many options on the Forest for camping or for wilderness entry.

If you are cancelling a permit for an entry point into the BWCAW and selecting a permit for a different entry point, the original reservation fee cannot be refunded to you.  However, the deposit for an overnight permit will be refunded if reservations are cancelled two or more days prior to entry.

When changing or cancelling campground reservations, a service fee will be charged.  Additional fees may apply the reservation center is not contacted more than two days prior to the first night of a reservation.

Volunteers are needed to help plant trees on the Flute Reed River this Saturday, May 10.

The Flute Reed Partnership watershed group is going to plant 500 white pine and white spruce along the river. They will provide the trees and the materials, plus a free box lunch!

The seedlings are local and the white pine will be protected with 6-inch fencing.

Everyone will meet at 9 a.m. at the Hovland Town Hall. Wear old clothes, an old coat and sturdy boots. Bring gloves, a hat, rain gear, plus safety glasses and a narrow shovel if you have them. Extra glasses, shovels and materials will be available.

The Partnership’s insurance coverage requires everyone to be 14 years or older.

Please call ahead to Rick Schubert at 475-2778 or e-mail him at rschub@cpinternet.com to sign up. It’s not required, but will help plan for lunches.

Minnesota boaters will find a variety of conditions at public water accesses for the May 10 fishing opener, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The DNR Division of Trails and Waterways is making a special effort to ensure all DNR boat launches are ready by the opener, said Nancy Steward, the Public Water Access Program coordinator. She noted, however, that repairs to access sites depend on the weather and ice-out, which has been running two weeks behind normal.
Steward said. "Some lakes in the northern half of the state may still have ice, which poses a challenge in making repairs. It's wise for boaters to check ahead for the latest report on the access they plan to use."
Stewart offers these suggestions for the opener:
* plan to be patient and prepared at public water accesses and use extra care while launching and loading boats
* inspect the ramp condition before using it; some of the worst ramp damage can be below the water line
* in case your favorite lake access is unusable, be prepared to try another public access
* operate boats carefully because there could be free-floating ice sheets on some lakes.
For public water access maps, boating information and lake ice-out status, go to the DNR Web site at www.mndnr.gov <http://www.mndnr.gov> .
 

"Preserving Family History: Minnesota's Greatest Generation" will teach participants how to preserve and care for different types of memorabilia, give tips on how to organize family papers, photos and other family treasures, and hints on creating a successful oral family history.
The workshop, free of charge, will begin at 10 a.m., Thursday, May 8 at the Grand Portage Museum's Log School Community Building.
The workshop is part of the MHS Minnesota's Greatest Generation Project.
Those who lived through the Great Depression and World War II learned to do without.  Financial adversity, war rationing and material shortages were part of everyday life, but the Americans who overcame these hardships have become known as the "Greatest Generation."  The Minnesota Historical Society (MHS) realizes the important of saving this era's stories and preserving their treasured keepsakes so future generations can appreciate their heritage and history.
This event is co-sponsored by MHS and the Grand Portage Historical Society.  For more information or to register for the workshop, call the Grand Portage Museum at (218)475-0111.