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program that will begin soon through Augsburg College, involving a semester of traveling the river forstudents beginning September 1. The author of Roadtrip with a Raindrop will be at Mill City Museum onOctober 22.Brainerd to Elk River: Karl Samp reported that festival season is winding down in his region. TheBrainerd Riverfront Project continues to move forward, recently receiving a 100,000 grant from theCommunity Foundation for staffing and implementation. Legacy funding has been approved to expandthe Cuyuna Mountain Bike Trail System, toward the goal of creating a three day ride trail destination.Elk River to Hastings: Cordelia Pierson noted significant changes occurring in the Metro area,including new hydroproposals for the Stone Arch Bridge, closing of the Upper St. Anthony Lock, andaffordable housing projects. She also mentioned a new family of bald eagles in a nest near the 35Wbridge.Tourism: Adam Johnson reported on Visit Saint Paul’s “My Saint Paul” awareness campaign, whichincludes a billboard featuring the Mississippi River. The river was also featured in advertising at MSPInternational Airport. Groups of travel writers have been hosted recently, with lodging at the CovingtonInn due to the river view and experience. Visit Saint Paul is working with a consultant to revitalize fiveattractions in the city which will be marketed as “unforgettable experiences.” The locations/attractionsare the Padelford River Boat, Landmark Center, Ramsey House, Como Zoo and Saint Paul Saints.Preparations and visits are already underway for the 2016 Ryder Cup which will take place September 27– October 2, 2016. Large numbers of international visitors will be in the area. Adam also noted thatPatrick Seeb will be leaving the Saint Paul Riverfront Corporation to accept a new position withDestination Medical Center in Rochester.Historical Society: Andrea Kajer provided an update. The last Mill City Live concert of the 2015season is scheduled for next week and is sold out. Improvements continue at the Oliver Kelley Farm as anew visitor center is constructed. Predesign is underway for a visitor center at Fort Snelling. 85Japanese visitors are here as part of a sister city exchange with Nagasaki, Japan. A new exhibit called“Suburbia” will open at the Minnesota History Center this fall.Natural Resources: Cynthia Wheeler shared information on the 7th Annual Take a Day OFF (OutdoorFamily Fun) on the Mississippi event, held on August 1 at Stearns County Mississippi River Park. 20 activities were offered. Cynthia recently received a call from Kathy Beaulieu from the DNR Office inBemidji, regarding the 125th anniversary of Minnesota Parks and Trails in 2016 and potential for crosspromotion with the Great River Road, including during Drive the Great River Road Month. Plans are underconsideration for 125 miles of bike & boat activities, as well as itineraries for cars and ATVs. Chris Millernoted that she has also spoken with Kathy and will follow up.Transportation: Carol Zoff reported that MnDOT recently received applications for the final round ofTAP/Scenic Byway Grants. Four of the six applications were from partners along the Great River Road.The Great River Road applications were from the Lady Slipper Byway Board, City of Red Wing, City ofSouth Saint Paul and Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. Carol also reported on her ongoingparticipation/management role on the Corridor Management Plan project.National Park Service: John Anfinson announced that a 20,000 grant has been received from REI topursue a kayak/canoe share program in alignment with Nice Ride bicycle share locations. People wouldbe able to bike or paddle from station to station. The Knight Foundation has provided a grant to GreaterMSP focused on retaining young workers, which will support projects including “Four Seasons of Play” tobe coordinated by Friends of the Mississippi River. Outdoor experiences were ranked second in the list ofthings most important to retaining younger workers. Planning continues for the NPS Centennial in 2016.The Science Museum of Minnesota will premiere the film “America Wild” as a signature NPS Centennialevent. Saint Paul will be the second stop for the film, after Washington D.C.Commission BusinessFY ’15 Final Budget & FY ’16 Budget: Treasurer Mark Anderson referenced two budget reports in themeeting packet, one showing status at the end of fiscal year 2015 and the second showing the line itemallocations and amounts spent during the first month of fiscal year 2016. The ending balance for the FY4

’15 operating budget was zero. Funds remaining at year end were paid toward Minnesota’s 2016National MRPC dues. CMP and National Park Service grant balances at the end of FY ’15 were carriedforward into FY ’16. Both grants have end dates of June 30, 2016. The line item allocations for FY ’16were based on amounts spent in FY ’15 and known projects/costs for FY ’16.National MRPC Updates2015 Annual Meeting, New Orleans: The 2015 MRPC Annual Meeting is scheduled for October 6 – 8in New Orleans. An out of state travel authorization request has been submitted for Nancy Salminen,Anne Lewis, Sen. Senjem, Carol Zoff and Karl Samp to represent the MN-MRPC. The majority of costs forCarol Zoff and Karl Samp are to be covered by MnDOT and the National MRPC, respectively.Drive the Great River Road Month Promotion: Anne Lewis reported on Drive the Great River RoadMonth, and other activities of the National MRPC Marketing Committee. Drive the Great River Road Monthwill launch September 1. All ten Mississippi River states will promote using a toolkit and materialsprovided by the National Office. A sweepstakes in honor of the promotion will award a 500 cash grandprize. Entry details will be available at www.experiencemississippiriver.com. Keychains, maps andpostcards have been distributed to all Great River Road Interpretive Centers. Discussion has also takenplace on ways to partner with the National Park Service’s “Find Your Park” campaign including possibleGreat River Road itineraries featuring National Parks and possibly also NPS Centennial celebrations in2016. In Minnesota, promotion will include a press release, use of the “Find Your Park” logo, informationposted at www.mnmississippiriver.com, social media posts, and sharing of information and tools withCVBs, Chambers, State Parks, Interpretive Centers, and Welcome Centers along the Great River Road.National Public Lands Day on September 26 provides additional ideas on things to see and do. All MNMRPC members were asked to share photos, events, or information on favorite locations to be shared onthe website and social media during Drive the Great River Road Month.Old BusinessMRT Update: Liz Walton provided an overview of recent Mississippi River Trail activities andaccomplishments. The inaugural “Headwaters to Hills” Bicycle Tour will take place August 26 – September2. The ride is now full (50 riders) with a waiting list in place. Two celebration events are planned inconjunction with the ride – an MRT ribbon cutting at Itasca State Park on August 27 at 9:00 a.m., and aWelcome Celebration in Saint Paul on August 31 at 8:00 a.m. Nancy Salminen will be representing theMN-MRPC on August 27 and John Anfinson will be a featured speaker on August 31. Liz invited all MNMRPC members to meals and events along the way and circulated a schedule.A new Minnesota Bike Map will be ready for distribution soon and will be launched at the State Fair. TheMRT is looking at providing information for “Open Street Map” and this might be something for the GreatRiver Road to consider as well. The MRT was recently featured as part of the Bicycling Around Minnesota(BAM) event, which started and ended in Brainerd. The MRT logo was included on the jerseys. TheWinnipeg Free Press will be doing an article on the MRT. A suggestion was made that in light of Drivethe Great River Road Month, the MN-MRPC might want to consider promoting Bike Month in May, alongwith promoting biking along the corridor. MRT/Great River Road cross promotion was briefly discussed.Next Meeting:Thursday, November 12, 20152:30 – 5:00 p.m.State Office Building Room 500 NorthAdjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 5:05 p.m.5

Mississippi River Parkway Commission of MinnesotaAgency & Regional UpdatesAugust 2015Grand Rapids to Brainerd – Commissioner Anne LewisOn July 21, I attended the Corps of Engineers Open House for their Master Plan for the Mississippi River Headwaters.Brian Turner from USACE St. Paul stressed that the Master Plan is conceptual and that the Operation Management Plangets into the fine details. However, the Master Plan theoretically guides the OMP, so it’s an important document. Theschedule for the Master Plan is:JulyScopingAugust First DraftSept. Final DraftOct.30-day public comment periodNov.Final Master PlanBrian indicated this review is prompted by changes that are happening in the area – changes in the kinds of recreationgoing on in the area, the amount of recreation, changes in wildlife patterns, and changes in Corps policy they need to bein line with. He indicated our area is considered by the Corps to be one in which they focus on balancing recreation andwild life management.The primary goals of the plan include:1. An overall land use management plan2. Identify resource objectives3. Identify associated design and management conceptsHere’s a link to the overview: re were maps of all six lake areas on the Mississippi River that are part of the headwaters and they are color codedaccording to different land uses and their density of usage. The deadline for the first phase of input is August 21, rightafter our next commission meeting. I think we should send some form of input now and be ready to submit comments asa commission during the October public comment period. We should keep an eye on this as it moves forward.For the two other commissioners in areas affected by this plan, the form may come in handy. Brainerd especially maywant to look into how this is developing and what its implications are for your plans.I mentioned our Drive the Great River Road promotion in September and potential collaboration with the parks. Theyreferred me to www.recreation.gov.We also talked about the National Geographic geotourism project. The Corps decided in Vicksburg which of their projectson the Mississippi River were geographically and historically significant and nominated them from there. Several of thelakes/dams in the headwaters have been included via the Corps. This is an interesting model for the 10-state commissionto consider.6

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MN-MRPC FY '16 Budget11/10/15MN-MRPC FY '16 Operating BudgetObj CodeFY '16BudgetDescriptionSpentEst. Pending41070Other Benefits (Per Diem) 4,000.00 41110Printing & Advertising 1,000.0041130Prof/Tech Services 36,000.00 6,479.55 41150Computer & System Services 1,000.00 814.0041155Communications 1,000.00 381.96 41160In-State Travel 4,000.00 1,002.91 41170Out-State Travel 7,000.00 2,546.31 41180Employee Development 1,150.00 630.00 41300Office Supplies43000Other Costs (MRPC Dues)TOTAL275.00 Remaining440.00 11,000.00Commissioner Per Diems: MN-MRPC quarterly mtgs, MRPC Annual Mtg & Semi-Annual Mtg, committee mtgs,3,285.00 commission representation at meetings and events, CMP project1,000.00 Commission meeting copies, materialsAdmin contract, website design services, additional staff time for projects including CMP project admin, other services5,796.17 23,724.28 as needed (97.50)Comments260.07 186.00 Website hosting, stats and emailPostage/deliveries, MN MRPC phone line and conference calls, shipping costs, Constant Contact email marketing357.97 serviceCommissioners/Advisors/Staff: quarterly mtgs, committees, events, CMP project637.28 2,359.81 MRPC 2015 Annual Meeting - New Orleans and 2016 Semi-Annual Meeting - La Crosse520.00 Meeting and conference registration fees, including MRPC Annual and Semi-Annual Meetings97.50 General office supplies for Commission projects. Donations for GRR maps are placed in this line item. 11,000.00 MRPC 2016 Dues 66,150.00 8,855.92 10,309.83 42,530.56MN-MRPC GrantsCMP - National Scenic Byways 81,920.82 19,691.35 44,155.26 18,072.21 CMP contract, MN-MRPC CMP project costsCMP - National Park Service 8,481.12 1,228.05 846.20 6,406.87 MRT final costs, MN-MRPC CMP project costs9

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MRPC Marketing Committee ReportMinnesota Representative – Anne Lewis, CrossingsThe Marketing Committee meeting at the most recent MRPC annual meeting in NewOrleans contained business as usual as well as some new initiatives. A brief run downfollows: An annual process for updating the printed maps was established to betterensure accurate quantities as the demand for on-line mapping grows. An annualprocess also allows for the deletion or addition of Interpretive Centers which is aconstant as the Great River Road’s use increases. This year’s deadline fornumbers was Oct. 16. This timetable also assures maps will be printed andavailable earlier in the spring driving season. Logo ware is being shifted to Land’s End from Café Press to ensure better qualityfor not that much more cost. National Geographic Geo-tourism Project is being asked for shared use of filesby state MRPC’s. This cooperation might mean actual file sharing or linking onwebsites. The objective is for the states to get the benefit of nominations to addto our “plan your trip” functions and not make attractions and properties gothrough the process twice. A permission process is being negotiated.This also seems logical since state commissioners are playing a vetting role forthe Nat’l Geographic project’s local nominees. Proposed Great River Road Promotion for 2016:o Expansion of Drive the Great River Road month to 6 weeks andincreasing the promotion budget to 1000. This year’s contest entries were over 2000 compared with nearly750 the year before.o Bike the Great River Road promotion targeting trail users for a month anda promotion budget of 1000.o Birding on the Great River Road – in conjunction with “Year of Birding”theme of the Mississippi River Connections Collaborative – promotion anda proposed budget of 1000. Proposed marketing budget increase of 15,000 for a media partnership strategyand placements in the coming year.Of Marketing Interest .Two states mentioned during the meeting that they hold a “Great River Road Day” attheir state capitols. Their goal is to raise awareness with key stakeholders of theimportance of the Great River Road in providing interaction with the Mississippi River tothe public. This might be something to look at adding to our Minnesota efforts,especially in the year of the putting the Corridor Management Plan into action.11

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Geotourism Website Program for The Mississippi RiverMississippiriver.natgeotourism.comNational Geographic Society – Maps DivisionGeotourism Stewardship Council and Website ProgramCommunity Outreach WorkshopsOct 26: 1 pm, Lake City – City Hall Council Chambers; 4 pm, Red Wing Ignite; 7 pm, Hastings ‐ City Hall Community RoomOct 27: 10 am, Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership; 1 pm, Historic Fort Snelling; 6 pm, Monticello Community Ctr Academy RoomOct 28: 2 pm, St. Cloud – City Hall Council Chambers; 6 pm, Little Falls – Initiative FoundationOct 29: 9 am, Brainerd – Fire Hall; 1:30 pm, Grand Rapids Airport Board RoomOct 30: 10 am, Bemidji‐ City Hall Council ChambersWhat’s So Special About Your Place?We want to know because:“The best travel advice comes from the people who live there”Workshop Objectives: To inform local people about National Geographic’s Geotourism Partnership Project with theMississippi River Connections Collaborative ‐ goals, objectives and benefits for the communitiesalong the Mississippi River To orientate and inform local people who are engaged in tourism from the private and publicsectors on how they can participate in contributing content to the Mississippi River GeotourismWebsite: Mississippiriver.natgeotourism.comAgenda (1.5 hours)::20 minutes Introductions and Overview of National Geographic’s Geotourism Program Concept and work plan for the Mississippi River Geotourism Program:45 minutes How you can contribute content to the Mississippi River Geotourism WebsiteWhy?Because the best travel advice comes from the people who live thereWho? Local individuals, service providers, small businesses, organizations and othersare invited to share on a co‐branded National Geographic Society websiterecommendations for place based authentic experiences for travelers along theMississippi RiverHow? Detailed explanation and demonstration on how to contribute information by uploading contentonto the website Options for those not oriented to the internet to become content contributors:25 minutes Q and A / Plenum Discussion / Closing13

2:40 p.m. CMP Project Final Comments Kimley-Horn & Associates 2:45 p.m. MRT Project Update Liz Walton, MnDOT 2:50 p.m. Agency and Regional Updates - Lake Itasca to Grand Rapids Salminen - Grand Rapids to Brainerd Lewis - Brainerd to Elk River Samp - Elk River to Hastings Pierson