Public comment opens for Cook County and Grand Portage Hazard Mitigation Plan
In a Nov. 14 press release, Cook County and the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Reservation Tribal Council (RTC) announced the opening of a public comment period for a proposed Hazard Mitigation Plan. The public comment period will remain open until Nov. 26.
In the press release, the need for a plan was explained, “Hazard mitigation planning helps all of Cook County and Grand Portage Reservation protect both residents and visitors. Working with local communities through the process helps identify vulnerabilities and develop strategies to reduce or eliminate the effects of a potential hazard. In addition, increasing public awareness of natural disasters and encouraging personal preparedness helps to create communities that are resilient to disasters, and breaks the cycle of response and recovery.”
Cook County Emergency Manager Mike Keyport told WTIP that the plan is reviewed every five years by a committee in order to ensure that it is as up-to-date as possible. He said the process includes a wide variety of organizations.
“To get an accurate account of any mitigation efforts we reach out to many stakeholders throughout the county to include all county governmental departments, City of Grand Marais, all townships, and other outside agencies such as the DNR, US Forest Service, local fire departments and many others to include all departments in the Grand Portage community,” Keyport said.
With the update complete, the county and RTC are asking for public input. The Nov. 14 press release emphasized the importance of public input. It read, “Community feedback is vital to the success of the plan. Cook County & Grand Portage Reservation invite public review and feedback of the draft plan prior to submitting it to the State of Minnesota and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for review.”
If the state and FEMA approve the plan it will then go before both the RTC and the Cook County Board of Commissioners for approval by resolution.
Members of the public can review the overall plan on the Cook County & Grand Portage Hazardous Mitigation Plan Website Homepage and more details about the plan by reviewing the Cook County & Grand Portage Mitigation Action Charts. Feedback forms are included at the bottom of both webpages.
Feedback can also be delivered directly to Keyport, or to Grand Portage Emergency Manager Ruth Vogel. Contact information for both emergency managers can be found below.
Mike Keyport
Cook County Emergency Management Director
218- 387-3059
Ruth Vogel
Grand Portage Reservation
Tribal Emergency Management Coordinator
218-248-5849
Kirsten Wisniewski November 18, 2025
