Wild rice crop damaged by northern Minn. flooding
Heavy rain and extreme flooding in northern Minnesota this summer has taken a toll on the region's wild rice harvest, the Duluth News Tribune reports. Flood water destroyed the crop on the Fond du Lac Reservation.
Wild rice beds in northwest Wisconsin are also in poor shape, the Associated Press says. Biologist Peter David says a warm spring followed by heavy rain caused the damage.
The region experienced major flooding in June, causing at millions of dollars in damage to public facilities and homes.
During a special session Friday, the Minnesota legislature approved a $167.5 million flood package designed to rebuild washed-out roads, repair flooded businesses and damaged houses and restore damaged parks.