The Department of Natural Resources has scheduled a public hearing for people to learn more about and comment on plans to manage a water control structure on a Le Sueur County lake southeast of Cleveland.
The DNR is proposing to designate Lake Henry as a wildlife lake, which would allow temporary drawdown of the lake to enhance in-lake habitat.
The public hearing is 6:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at the American Legion, 319 Broadway St., Cleveland. Participants may ask the DNR representatives questions about the lake management plans as well as provide formal comments.
Managed drawdowns are used to mimic natural drought cycles and allow a shallow lake ecosystem to reset by reestablishing aquatic vegetation, consolidating bottom sediments and removing undesirable fish.
The Lake Henry management plan is available on the DNR website: mndnr.gov/wildlife/shallowlakes/program-work.html.
In addition to the hearing, the DNR will be accepting written comments through Feb 17. Commenters may contact Tim Koppelman, assistant area wildlife manager, at 507-386-3923 or send an email to: Tim.Koppelman@state.mn.us. Mail correspondence can be sent to the Nicollet DNR Wildlife Office, 501 Ninth St., Nicollet, Minnesota, 56074.
Brewery plans anniversary party
A new beer release as well as live music are planned during a first anniversary party 7 p.m. Friday at Paddlefish Brewing in St. Peter.
The Dan Duffy Orchestra will play and the food truck, Russell’s, will be on site.
Let the Good Times Roll Belgian Tripel ale will be served at the event.
General admission is $20. Advance tickets may be purchased at the brewery taproom or online via Eventbrite.
Knights to distribute free coats
Free coats in various children’s sizes will be distributed beginning 11 a.m. Saturday in the gymnasium at Holy Rosary School near the intersection of Grant and Sherman streets in North Mankato.
The North Mankato Knights of Columbus Council 5551 is the sponsor of the Coats for Children. The giveaway will conclude at 2 p.m. or earlier if the supply runs out.
County seeks recycling data from businesses
The Blue Earth County Property and Environmental Resources Department Waste and Recycling Division is seeking data from businesses for the 2024 recycling Select Committee on Recycling and the Environment report.
The SCORE report will be used to determine funding for recycling and waste reduction programming by summarizing waste management efforts in the state and calculating the cost of managing waste and recycling in Minnesota. The annual SCORE report is developed by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Blue Earth County has developed a digital recycling form for businesses that engage in recycling activity to report their recycling totals. The form contains the same annual reporting information requested in previous years. Businesses that exclusively collect single stream curbside recycling and transport using a contracted hauler do not need to submit those totals.
The annual SCORE reporting form can be accessed online at blueearthcountymn.gov/SCORE.
Data received by the county via the form will be submitted to the state as a consolidated total for the entire county.
For more information, call 507-304-4251.