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  BACKUS— Deep Portage Executive Director Lindsey Bjorklund presented the annual report for Deep Portage during the Cass County regular board meeting Tuesday, Oct. 20. Bjorklund highlighted school programs, summer camps, public events, facility improvements and grant-funded projects.

   During the past year, Deep Portage hosted 76 schools, with seven of those being new, and approximately 4,520 students. Summer camp attendance was approximately 300 campers, primarily participating in hunter safety, fishing camps and outdoor skills programs. Deep Portage also hosted a fall FFA leadership camp, county 4-H activities, nine retreat groups with approximately 260 participants and public events that attracted hundreds of visitors.

   Bjorklund mentioned Deep Portage expanded its public programming this past summer, offering nearly 40 activities, including archery, kayaking, fishing, nature-based art projects and campfire cooking. The programs attracted nearly 400 participants, many of whom were visiting Deep Portage for the first time. Most activities were offered through free-will donations, and Bjorklund said the organization hopes to continue expanding public programming. Deep Portage also hosted the Cass County DNR’s first Mindfulness Wonder Walk, which included a hike on a recently developed trail, lunch, door prizes and an educational presentation about local natural resources.

   Facility improvements included new carpeting in the dining hall and portions of the lower level, along with continued work on building improvements. Bjorklund also updated the board on accessibility projects funded through the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). Improvements included a wildlife observation shelter with an accessible ramp and paving along the route to Bass Pond. Bjorklund thanked Cass County for assisting with engineering, tree removal, grading and construction. The improvements have made access to the pond easier for visitors, including those who use wheelchairs. Deep Portage also acquired an adaptive canoe, which was used for the first time this summer to give a student the opportunity to canoe on the pond.

   Additional equipment and program improvements included a new ski trail groomer, purchased with the ski club covering 50% of the cost, and new ice fishing equipment received through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The ice fishing equipment includes three large fish houses and fishing gear, allowing Deep Portage to expand its ice fishing programs for visiting schools. Deep Portage also received a combined $50,000 donation from an individual and a foundation to purchase a new pontoon and lift, which was placed in the water in July. Bjorklund said the organization plans to expand fishing camps and aquatic programming using the new equipment.

   Deep Portage recently worked with Steen Engineering to develop a master plan addressing aging infrastructure and future facility needs. The plan includes recommendations, cost estimates and priorities to guide improvements over the coming years. One finding identified the facility’s biomass heating system as a major asset. Since 2009, the system has saved approximately 500,000 gallons of propane. Engineers recommended continuing to use the system while planning necessary upgrades. The report also identified opportunities for Deep Portage to further develop its existing renewable energy resources, including solar, hydro and biomass, into a more formal renewable energy demonstration and educational facility.

   During the requests to be heard portion of the meeting, Jeff Davis asked the board to consider issuing a letter of support urging the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) commissioner to approve temporary sandbagging of the Rock Rapids dam structure in Longville. Davis said the city hired Barr Engineering to assess possible leakage occurring through or beneath the structure, and the consulting engineer recommended temporary sandbagging as part of the analysis. He said additional surveys had been requested and completing the work before freeze-up was a concern.

   Board Chair Bob Kangas said he had consulted with the county attorney, who advised that the county had no authority to act on a resolution or letter of support from the city regarding the matter. County Administrator Josh Stevenson said he also spoke with the county planner, who serves as a liaison to the Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) board. Stevenson said the county could prepare a revised letter of support but noted that previous county boards had not taken action on similar concerns involving lake levels and beaver dams because the DNR has final authority over such decisions.

   Davis clarified that the temporary sandbagging would only last approximately two weeks before the sandbags were removed to help determine whether the measure addressed the leakage concerns. Commissioner Neal Gaalswyk said he was not prepared to recommend a specific course of action based on the information presented but supported encouraging the DNR to address the issue. Kangas indicated the board should table this request until the next regular meeting to see if the DNR had approved the request.

   In other business, the county board:

   • Approved the job classifications appeals final report from David Drown Associates.

   • Approved levying for the Kitchigami Regional Library System updated budget request in the amount of $524,414, which was stated to be more than the required State minimum of $286,080.

   • Adopted a resolution supporting Operation Green Light for Veterans to be held Nov. 4 through Nov. 11, 2026.

   The next meetings are as follows: AMC District 2 Meeting, 8 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28 at the Beltrami County Boardroom, 701 Minnesota Ave, NW, Bemidji; commissioner’s board meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3 at the board room in the courthouse annex in Walker; commissioner’s board meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17 at the Land Department meeting room in Backus; commissioner’s board meeting, 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1 followed by a public hearing for the Cass County Fee Schedule, Budget and Property Tax Levy beginning at 6 p.m. and the Walker Ambulance Serivce District Board Public Hearing for the Budget and Property Tax Levy beginning at 7 p.m. all in the board room in the courthouse annex in Walker.

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