Kudos to two lawmakers and Molpus Timberlands Management for working out an interim agreement that grants the public access to the company’s private property.
Rep. David Dill and Sen. Tom Bakk took the lead to meet with Molpus officials in an effort to come to a short-term solution that will keep the land open to the public and allow for continued use of area snowmobile trails until the 2013 Legislature adjourns.
Now, it’s up to the Legislature to come up with a solution for the long term.
Like we’ve said before, the reason the company began to consider blocking public access is because the state of Minnesota reneged on a deal. The state provided incentives to landowners in exchange for the land to be sustainably managed for timber and to allow the public use of the company’s property.
And no one should blame a private property owner for doing what’s in their best interests. And in this case, the risk of liability and the costs associated with keeping these lands open did not make good business sense without the state’s participation.
Clearly, local Molpus officials understand the benefits — and they are widespread — of allowing the public access to its property. And we’re pleased that the Mississippi-based company appears to understand that as well.
Ash Trail Lodge owner Steve Wieber, who was concerned about how area businesses may be impacted by the change in public access, told The Journal that Molpus has a very legitimate business issue that resulted from the change made by state lawmakers in 2010.
And he rightly points out that Molpus did not have to reach the agreement with Dill and Bakk. “They chose to and I believe we should recognize what they have done for our community,” he stated.
Now, it’s time for the rest of Minnesota and the Legislature to hold up their end of the deal and do what’s needed to ensure that this benefit to the public remains a part of our lifestyle.
