Now Taking Formal Public Comments Through August 14th

The Big Fork River Watershed Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan is the result of a collaborative planning effort led by local and Tribal governments, community experts, concerned citizens, and local professionals. Over the past year, partners have worked together to identify the watershed's most important water resource concerns, evaluate available data, gather local knowledge, and develop a shared vision for protecting and improving water resources throughout the watershed.

The plan identifies priority resource concerns, establishes measurable goals, and outlines voluntary implementation actions that can be taken over the next ten years to address those concerns. Recommended actions include projects, programs, and educational efforts designed to improve water quality, protect healthy lakes, rivers, wetlands, forests, stormwater runoff and groundwater resources, and increase the long-term resilience of the watershed. The plan also includes performance measures that will be used to track progress over time and evaluate the effectiveness of conservation efforts.

The One Watershed, One Plan (1W1P) program is based on voluntary conservation. The plan does not create new regulations, ordinances, permitting requirements, or enforcement authority. Instead, it serves as a locally developed roadmap that helps partners coordinate conservation efforts, pursue funding opportunities, and support voluntary projects that benefit both landowners and natural resources for the next ten years.

The draft Big Fork River Watershed Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan is now available for formal public review. Community members, organizations, and agencies are encouraged to review the draft and provide comments before the plan is finalized.

View the draft plan:
• Plan: Big Fork River CWMP_Formal Review Draft_June 2026.pdf
• Appendix: Big Fork River CWMP Appendix_Formal Review Draft_June 2026.pdf

Click HERE to submit comments through an online form on our website.

Submit comments by email:
matt.gutzmann@itascaswcd.org

Submit comments by mail:
Itasca SWCD
Attn: Matt Gutzmann
PO Box 990
Grand Rapids, MN 55744

Drop off comments in-person at our office during office hours:
1895 W. US Hwy 2
Grand Rapids, MN 55744

Thank you for taking the time to review the draft plan and help shape the future of water resource conservation in the Big Fork River Watershed.

1W1P Process

Overview
In 2024, The Big Fork River Watershed began undergoing a comprehensive planning effort through the One Watershed, One Plan (1W1P) program. This is a state-supported initiative to develop watershed-based, locally driven plans that guide how we maintain and improve water resources. The Big Fork River Watershed spans over 1.3 million acres across multiple counties in northern Minnesota and includes many lakes, wetlands, rivers, and forested lands.

What is 1W1P?
One Watershed, One Plan brings together local governments and communities to develop one coordinated watershed management plan. The goal is to align local priorities with state goals—focusing on what matters most to the people who live, work, and spend time here. This plan does not change any existing regulations or ordinances. It is a collaborative effort to identify where voluntary conservation work and funding can make the biggest impact on water quality.

Why This Matters
Planning at the watershed scale allows us to focus efforts where they will make the most difference. Whether it's improving stormwater systems, restoring wetlands, managing runoff from forest lands, or protecting drinking water, watershed-based planning helps ensure healthy land and water for future generations. This process is not about new regulations. It's about working together to make the most of existing programs and resources.

How You Can Get Involved
This planning process depends on local knowledge and public input. There will be opportunities to attend planning meetings and share ideas. Anyone who lives in, works in, or cares about the watershed is encouraged to participate. See below for the schedule of topic-based planning meetings.