Core Functions in Partner-led OHF Land Acquisitions

Currently, seven conservation related non-governmental organizations coordinate and communicate with the Minnesota DNR to strategically acquire feet title land from willing sellers. The seven NGOs include: 1) Pheasants Forever, 2) Ducks Unlimited, 3) Trust for Public Land, 4) The Nature Conservancy, 5) Northern Waters Land Trust, 6) The Conservation Fund, and 7) Fox Lake Conservation League, Inc. Some of the parcels being acquired by these NGOs will be conveyed to the Minnesota DNR to become part of the state's Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Aquatic Management Area (AMA), Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) and/or State Forest system.

It is the DNR's responsibility to ensure the state's interests are protected against future liabilities. Real estate professionals in the DNR Land and Mineral Division review every partner-led acquisition that is conveyed to the DNR to ensure the appraisal is up to state standards, the land survey is up to state standards, the title review is up to state standards, along with reviewing any agreements or encumbrances that run with the land (drainage, access, Conservation Reserve Program, etc.). Every partner-led acquisition being conveyed to the DNR also has property taxes, deed taxes and recording fees that are paid out of the partner-led Outdoor Heritage Fund appropriation. The time spent paying, reviewing and managing partner conveyed acquisitions is included in DNR Land Acquisition Costs in the OHF budget table.

Within the Division of Fish and Wildlife (FAW), an approved Initial Development Plan (IDP) is required for all land acquisitions, regardless of whether they are being acquired by DNR or one of our partners. The IDP is intended to identify the needs and funding source to develop a piece of property to the minimum standards (FAW Directive #070605 Development Standards for WMA/AMAs). An approved IDP must be in place before a parcel is conveyed to FAW. For purposes of this proposal, only the core IDP functions DNR is best positioned to complete are proposed here:
Cultural resource review, Compliance with the Minnesota Field Archaeology Act and Minnesota Historic Sites Act (MN Statutes 138.40 and 138.655). Boundary posts purchased by DNR in large orders, freight cost savings for delivery to Area offices, DNR signs and hardware (DNR metal and wood routed signs, bolts, nuts, washers, etc.), sign specifications required, have to wait until parcel conveys to DNR before signs are installed. Grazing fence, if needed. Access/parking lots constructed to a sufficient standard to minimize future maintenance costs (geotextile fabric, posts, gates, gravel thickness, approach, culvert, etc.)

This proposal would eliminate individual Use of Funds from partner NGOs and replace with one OHF appropriation to cover all DNR Land Acquisition Costs and core DNR IDP activities. We propose the new single appropriation will pay for DNR acquisition costs and DNR IDP costs immediately, regardless of the appropriation year the acquisition originated in. Parcel lists would be maintained by the partners in their direct OHF appropriations. Use of Funds letters would be required from partners that wish DNR to complete habitat related IDP work.