The “mud bog” is coming back to Ma & Pa Kettle Days. More than 40 people attended the Ma & Pa Kettle meeting March 10 and showed their support of the mud bog event, signing up to be members.

At the meeting, Eric Senarighi of the Carlton County ATV Riders presented an environmental mitigation plan to handle potential problems for the Kettle River Mud Bog, scheduled Aug. 10 in conjunction with Ma & Pa Kettle Days.

Senarighi has had extensive environmental mitigation training as an employee of Minnesota Power, based out of the Thomson Dam hydroelectric complex.

He gave a slideshow of how the current mud bog site is situated on a heavy hardpan subsoil ranging about 40 feet in depth. According to the Kettle River wellhead protection plan, the mud bog area is outside of the wellhead protection area. The subsoil water runoff is from the northeast to the southwest and moves any foreign matter away from the city wells.

“No vehicle will be allowed to run in the event unless thoroughly inspected,” Senarighi said. “But event promoters have to plan for any type of incident. A mitigation plan is a good first step.”

The Ma & Pa Kettle group approved $2,000 to pay for cleaning up a 4-acre lot owned by the committee on the south side of the abandoned Nemadji tile plant. Once the brush and junk is cleared, the area could be used for recreational parking for trailer and motorhomes alongside the Soo Line trail and in the old railyard. Initial clearing work was done March 15. In the past the site had been heavily graveled.

Other news

The next Kettle River city council meeting is 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 9 at the Kettle River Senior Center.

There will be an appreciation potluck supper for the Kettle River fire department and first responders at 4:30 p.m. April 2 at the Kettle River Senior Center. Contact Laura at 218-565-0418 with questions, or to RSVP and detail what you are bringing so we can make sure we have a variety of food for the event.

Did you know that there is a fun activity happening at the Kettle River Senior Center 1-4 p.m. every Sunday? There are various activities each week, so check it out and bring a friend or two. Call 218-340-6518 if you need a ride.