Outdoor enthusiasts will have ensured access to another 6,966 acres with the finalization of a working forest conservation easement on property owned by Forest Capital Partners.
The Koochiching County Board last week gave its support to the easement proposal.
The property is located east of Minnesota Highway 6 and southeast of Big Falls.
The acquisition of the property helps consolidate state ownership, provides public access, prevents forest fragmentation and enhances management efficiency, according to the Department of Natural Resources.
The DNR will pay Forest Capital for the easement at an amount based on appraised value, but not made public until after a purchase agreement is signed, expected to occur early in 2012.
About 95 percent of money to purchase the easement will come from a grant to the DNR by the Nature Conservancy and abut 5 percent from the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, Dick Peterson, Forest Legacy coordinator with the DNR, told the Koochiching County Board via telephone last week.
County Land Commissioner Dennis Hummitzsch said Peterson’s information about how the easement will be purchased should clarify rumors that local taxpayers are paying the costs.
Commissioners met with Craig Halla and Bev Rinke of Forest Capital about the easement last week.
This is the third working forest conservation easement in Koochiching, said Peterson.
Peterson said the easement prohibits development, ensures maintenance and management as a working forest and continues public access for recreation. Peterson said the easement allows for hunting trapping and other outdoor uses, even if Forest Capital sells the property.
Halla said the easement also helps the county manage its timber because it ensures access to county-managed timberlands.
The 10-12 recreational leases will continue on the easement, but no new leases will be allowed in the area.
In other county business, the board adopted a $3.9 million levy for 2012.
