The
word "Minnesota" is derived from two Dakota Indian words
meaning "clear water". Known as the "Land of 10,000
Lakes", Minnesota has four distinct regions. Some of the richest
farmland in the United States is located in western, central, and
southern Minnesota (the young drift plains region). In the southwestern
corner of the state, streams cut through the soil, forming dissected
till plains. The southeastern region, called the driftless area, is
carved by deep river valleys. Most of the state’s residents live
in the southeast. The Mississippi River originates in north central
Minnesota at Lake Itasca, winding north, then east, curving southwest
and then southeast like a big question mark until it flows through
the twin cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis. In north and central
Minnesota, the superior upland region is the most rugged area of the
state, with thickly forested lands, thousands of lakes, and rivers
that tumble through rocky rapids. For many, the north woods form the "quintessential
picture of Minnesota -- not only how we imagine (the) state to be,
but also how we wish it to be" (Breining 1997).
The
ten member counties of the NCLUCB are located in the northwestern
drift plains and the superior uplands region of Minnesota. Rich and
abundant natural resources in these counties provide jobs in forestry,
agriculture, mining, and tourism. The vast landscape of forests, rivers,
and lakes is visited by many people seeking recreation, solitude,
hunting, fishing, and the beauties of the incredible north woods.
The need to both protect natural ecosystems and support local natural
resource economies has led to a controversial and sometimes confrontational
atmosphere in relation to land use planning and policy development.
The region’s stakeholders represent
a diversity of interests. Business and agricultural interests want
fewer restrictions on the economic use of the land. Recreational interests
range from protecting wilderness areas to expanding motorized recreation
access. Many local residents and government officials believe that
national political forces unfairly dominate the desires and needs
of the region’s residents. Local, state, and national environmental
groups are concerned about the impacts of human activities on the
vast waterways and forests of northern Minnesota. The recent discovery
of widespread genetic abnormalities in frogs has focused national
attention on Minnesota. It has raised troubling issues concerning
water quality and toxic contamination in the region's surface waters.
Are the frogs an indicator of a future unknown problem affecting other
wildlife, other aspects of the ecosystems, or human health? With these
kinds of novel observations, unexplained by existing scientific knowledge,
what is the role of science in future land use planning? All stakeholders
need meaningful opportunities to help define a vision for the region,
exchange perspectives on key issues, and debate tradeoffs and strategies.
In order to hold effective discussions and make informed decisions,
stakeholders need access to current available data, plans, and models.
![Minnesota Forest [photo]](../images/mn_forest.gif)
The
word "Minnesota" is derived from two Dakota Indian words
meaning "clear water". Known as the "Land of 10,000
Lakes", Minnesota has four distinct regions. Some of the richest
farmland in the United States is located in western, central, and
southern Minnesota (the young drift plains region). In the southwestern
corner of the state, streams cut through the soil, forming dissected
till plains. The southeastern region, called the driftless area, is
carved by deep river valleys. Most of the state’s residents live
in the southeast. The Mississippi River originates in north central
Minnesota at Lake Itasca, winding north, then east, curving southwest
and then southeast like a big question mark until it flows through
the twin cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis. In north and central
Minnesota, the superior upland region is the most rugged area of the
state, with thickly forested lands, thousands of lakes, and rivers
that tumble through rocky rapids. For many, the north woods form the "quintessential
picture of Minnesota -- not only how we imagine (the) state to be,
but also how we wish it to be" (Breining 1997). ![Ice Fishing [photo]](../images/mn_ice.gif)
The
ten member counties of the NCLUCB are located in the northwestern
drift plains and the superior uplands region of Minnesota. Rich and
abundant natural resources in these counties provide jobs in forestry,
agriculture, mining, and tourism. The vast landscape of forests, rivers,
and lakes is visited by many people seeking recreation, solitude,
hunting, fishing, and the beauties of the incredible north woods.
The need to both protect natural ecosystems and support local natural
resource economies has led to a controversial and sometimes confrontational
atmosphere in relation to land use planning and policy development.
