A citizen-led group focusing on the natural resource and economic health of the Minnesota River basin will transform from organizing to action at the sixth Minnesota River Congress March 10 at the New Ulm Event Center.

Related: Minnesota River Congress in process of choosing board members

Congress participants and an action board will act on remaining board elections, annual meeting date and launch action groups in specific interest areas.

The measures were advanced by the Congress Action Board meeting Jan. 26 in New Ulm.

Minnesota River Basin action plan progress continues

“We’ve come a long way since the first Congress back in June of 2014,” said Scott Sparlin, of the Coalition for a Clean Minnesota River and Congress facilitator. “Now is the time for action. We need everyone to help create and carry out actions shaping our future in the entire Minnesota River valley.”

The Congress will open with a networking fair at 4:30 p.m. at the New Ulm Event Center, 301 20th St. S.

A lasagna dinner will be served at 6 p.m. At 6:45 p.m., Brian Hicks, a farmer from Tracy, and Tony Sindt of the DNR, will give short presentations about cropland drainage research and Minnesota River fish species.

The Congress meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m.

“After the old Minnesota River Board disbanded, numerous people believed that some type of group focused on the entire Minnesota River basin was still a critical need to help accomplish basin-wide goals,” Sparlin said.

Since the first Congress, accomplishments include: Conducting five well-attended Congress meetings, six regional listening sessions, creating an Action Board, identifying specific interest areas and recruiting participants, and incorporation as a non-profit organization.

The Action Board includes representatives from the 13 watersheds in the basin, business, agriculture, local government, recreation, and state agencies.

Current Action Board vacancy categories are: One each from Minnesota River headwaters, Pomme de Terre River, Dept. of Transportation, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and two from Native American communities.

More information about the Congress including a list of Action Board categories is available. 

Registration for the Congress is available online, or by mail to Minnesota River, P.O. Box 488, New Ulm, MN 56073.

Make checks payable to the Coalition for a Clean Minnesota River. The cost is $15 in advance, and $20 at the door. There is no charge for young adults under 19 or with a college ID.

Online registration for the networking fair is available.

For more information, contact Scott Sparlin, 507-276-2280, [email protected].