Ruttger’s Birchmont Lodge is paying $13,000 for violating wastewater treatment regulations.
According to the investigation by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Gold Coast of Bemidji discharged sewage into the ground without notifying the Minnesota Duty Officer and MPCA during the summer and fall of 2022.
An investigation showed that the sewage holding tanks had inadequate covers and the sewage discharge was sourced to the system’s drain field.
Ruttger’s Birchmont Lodge has stopped the discharge in addition to paying the fine.
This comes as the City of Bemidji and Northern Township continue to negotiate a possible extension of city services to the resort and further, with Northern Township seeking to avoid any further annexation.
