The Bemidji City Council is expected to discuss a partnership with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources on Wednesday night to assess the extent of pollution on the south Lake Bemidji lakebed.
Due to the Presidents' Day holiday, Bemidji City Council will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday in City Hall, 317 Fourth St. N.W.
City manager John Chattin has recommended that Bemidji commit $18,700 for the assessment.
Shortly after the city of Bemidji was incorporated in 1896, the Crookston Lumber Company occupied a large section of the south shore of Lake Bemidji. The mill burned to the ground in 1924, and a new industrial use for the property arrived in 1953 with the construction of Georgia Pacific's hardboard plant.
Georgia Pacific's closure in 1999 opened up an opportunity for redevelopment, but based on the history of the property's industrial use, there has been concern from the city and community on what may be existing environmental issues, according to a report from the Headwaters Regional Development Commission.
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As the city looks at redevelopment plans for the south shore of the lake, one of the first steps is to examine what may have been left by the industry that once occupied it, according to Mayor Richard Lehmann.
What the assessment finds in terms of contaminants will determine the value of the land, Lehmann said.
Originally, Shorequest, and the city of Bemidji planned to share the cost of the assessment. Shorequest has since indicated that while the development company might be interested in participating with cleanup, they do not wish to help pay for the assessment, according to a memo from City Manager John Chattin.
Because the assessment is critical in making a determination to the extent of any pollution in the area, the DNR is proceeding with a contract and is requesting the city honor its verbal commitment to fund one-third of the $56,100 cost.
