DNR Core Functions in Partner-led OHF Land Acquisitions
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) currently partners with nine conservation related organizations to strategically acquire new fee title land that meets state land management goals. With every partner-led fee title acquisition that is conveyed to the DNR, a core set of functions relating to DNR land acquisition costs makes sure the State's interests are protected against future liabilities and DNR initial development needs meet minimal standards for cultural resource protection and public access. These core functions are most efficiently covered in a single annual administrative appropriation thereby replacing multiple partner release of funds to the DNR.
Nine conservation related organizations coordinate and communicate with the Minnesota DNR to strategically acquire fee title land from willing sellers. The nine organizations 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, 7) Fox Lake Conservation League, Inc., 8) Ruffed Grouse Society/American Woodcock Society, and 9) Shell Rock River Watershed District. Currently, the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife is managing 54 separate partner-released funds related to DNR Land Acquisition Costs and/or DNR Initial Development Plan costs. These partner-released funds are from ML17 - ML23 funding years. Some of the parcels being acquired by the conservation organizations 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. This single appropriation would pay for the DNR Land Acquisition Costs and the limited DNR Initial Development Plan activities for fee title parcels conveyed to the DNR. Partners would maintain parcel lists in their direct accomplishment plans.
It is the DNR's responsibility to ensure the State's interests are protected against future liabilities. Activities that are covered by DNR Land Acquisition Costs include:
-DNR Land & Mineral Division project manager time
-Appraisal review - ensure appraisal meets state standards
-Land survey review - ensure survey meets state standards
-Title review - ensure title meets state standards
-Drainage agreements - review
-Access agreements - review
-Other agreements/encumbrances (lease, CRP, etc.) review
-Property taxes
-Recording fees
-Deed taxes
Within the Division of Fish and Wildlife, 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, and regardless of the funding source of the acquisition. The IDP is used to identify the funding that will be used to develop a new parcel to minimum standards. In addition to the anticipated ML24 partner land acquisition and core IDP costs, we are requesting an additional $100,000 in IDP funds for the new 1,820-acre Keystone Woods WMA in Washington County. This new WMA in the Twin Cities metro area is being designed with a broad audience in mind. It has significant initial development needs (ex. cultural resource review, access, five parking lots, two will be ADA compliant, information kiosk, etc.). Only limited activities approved in an IDP are covered in this OHF proposal:
-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
-Signs and hardware - OHF and DNR signs, posts, bolts, nuts, washers, etc.
-Fencing
-Access / parking lots - improvement of ROW, easement or approach from public road, parking capacity needs, soils (geotextile fabric, posts, gates, gravel, culvert, etc.)
If NGOs would like the DNR to assist with site cleanup or habitat restoration, funds would need to be transferred to the DNR.
$892,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for administering the initial development, restoration, and enhancement of land acquired in fee with money appropriated from the outdoor heritage fund. This appropriation may be used for land acquisition costs incurred by the department in conveying parcels to the department and for initial development activities on fee title acquisitions. Money appropriated in this paragraph is available until June 30, 2032.
Forestlands are protected from development and fragmentation - Summarize how many partner-led fee title land acquisition acres are successfully acquired by non-governmental organizations AND conveyed to the Minnesota DNR in the northern forest region.
Wetland and upland complexes will consist of native prairies, restored prairies, quality grasslands, and restored shallow lakes and wetlands - Summarize how many partner-led fee title land acquisition acres are successfully acquired by non-governmental organizations AND conveyed to the Minnesota DNR in the forest-prairie transition region.
Protected habitats will hold wetlands and shallow lakes open to public recreation and hunting - Summarize how many partner-led fee title land acquisition acres are successfully acquired by non-governmental organizations AND conveyed to the Minnesota DNR in the metropolitan urbanizing region.
High priority riparian lands, forestlands, and savannas are protected from parcelization and fragmentation - Summarize how many partner-led fee title land acquisition acres are successfully acquired by non-governmental organizations AND conveyed to the Minnesota DNR in the southeast forest region.
Key core parcels are protected for fish, game and other wildlife - Summarize how many partner-led fee title land acquisition acres are successfully acquired by non-governmental organizations AND conveyed to the Minnesota DNR in the prairie region
Game & Fish funds