The Mississippi Headwaters board includes, from left, secretary/treasurer Dean Newland (Clearwater), Dick Downham (Cass), Brian Napstad (Aitkin), Tom Wenzel (Morrison), chair Jack Frost (Beltrami), vice chair Lori Dowling (Itasca), Lyle Robinson (Hubbard), Paul Thiede (Crow Wing) and office assistant Pam Kichle.

Concluding a two-step strategic planning effort, board members are considering a contract to make the board and its functions more visible and viable as an eight-county joint effort.

The MHB was established by state statute in 1980 and is largely funded through the Legislature. The counties it encompasses are those through which the Mississippi River travels its first 400 miles. The creation of the MHB was in response to a federal effort to make that portion a National Wild and Scenic River.

In addition to maintaining local control and providing minimum standards for development on the Mississippi River, the MHB has been instrumental in preserving the natural, cultural, scenic, scientific and recreational heritage of the river and promoting its proper use.

In recent years, cuts in funding have restricted or eliminated program development. In addition to staffing, efforts such as River Watch and an oral history project have been eliminated.

"At a time when everyone is looking for cooperative ways to make limited dollars stretch, we believe the internationally recognized MHB can be an important vehicle," said MHB chairman Jack Frost (Beltrami County). "With a proven track record and renewed emphasis on cooperation between the eight counties there are opportunities for us to leverage water quality dollars."

By renewing partnerships with local governments, citizens and educational institutions; by making the Legislature aware of MHB's successes; and by finding ways to refine the MHB message, board members are confident a new focus can be brought to this world-class resource.

To that end, a new logo, an improved website, republishing of the MHB guidebook and a greater emphasis on celebrating the river will factor into the plans.

"Our board has recognized that resting on our laurels is not enough," Frost said. "We want to alert our constituencies that this board wants to make our 30th year the best one yet."

Member counties of the MHB are Aitkin, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca and Morrison. The website is http://mississippiheadwaters.org/.