Bemidji – Wednesday, September 13, 2017 | Minnesota Environmental Quality Board

Across much of Minnesota, the discussion has been about lakes and rivers impaired by excess phosphorus and nitrogen, too much road salt, invasive species, declining water tables due to overuse and the need for buffer strips to keep farm runoff out of rivers.

Bemidji Mayor Rita Albrecht kicked off the event with a speech, listing water quality as a key factor in the city’s livelihood.

“As Minnesotans and as Bemidjians, we pride ourselves in our rich natural resources, our outdoor recreation opportunities and our clean water,” Albrecht said. “In Bemidji, our economy depends on all three.”