MeCC V Supplemental - - Fee Acquisition for Minnesota Valley NWR - 3.3
Project Outcome and Results
The Minnesota Valley Trust acquired 103 acres of priority lands in Scott County to expand the St. Lawrence Unit of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Of the 103 acres acquired, 70 acres were acquired with Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund and 33 acres were acquired with other private, non-state funds.
An additional 63.71 acres were acquired from two other landowners using other private, non-state funds as match of the ENRTF grant. Those acquisitions expand the Jessenland Unit of the Minnesota Valley Refuge in Sibley County. The total leverage to this project was 96.71 acres acquired using other, non-state funds.
These targeted acquisitions expand upon prior acquisitions funded in part by the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, as recommended by the LCCMR. The parcels acquired are adjacent to or very near other lands protected by the Minnesota Valley Trust for the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. All are within the expansion boundaries for the Refuge as identified through a public planning process by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and documented in the Refuge's "Comprehensive Conservation Plan."
After any needed restoration and enhancement, the lands will be donated to the USFWS for perpetual management as part of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. They will be managed for wildlife and open to the public for wildlife-dependent recreation, including hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, photography, wildlife interpretation and environmental education.
PROJECT RESULTS USE AND DISSEMINATION
The Minnesota Valley Trust will publicize the completion of this project through its website and news releases. All funding partners will be acknowledged on Refuge Unit kiosks, including the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, as recommended by the Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources.
$1,750,000 is added to Laws 2009, chapter 143, section 2, subdivision 4, paragraph (f), from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for acceleration of agency programs and cooperative agreements. Of this appropriation, $1,750,000 is for agreements as follows: $890,000 with the Trust for Public Land; $485,000 with Minnesota Land Trust; $325,000 with Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc.; and $50,000 with Friends of the Minnesota Valley for planning, restoring, and protecting important natural areas in the metropolitan area, as defined under Minnesota Statutes, section 473.121, subdivision 2, and portions of the surrounding counties, through grants, contracted services, technical assistance, conservation easements, and fee title acquisition. Land acquired with this appropriation must be sufficiently improved to meet at least minimum management standards as determined by the commissioner of natural resources. Expenditures are limited to the identified project corridor areas as defined in the work program. This appropriation may not be used for the purchase of residential structures, unless expressly approved in the work program. All conservation easements must be perpetual and have a natural resource management plan. Any land acquired in fee title by the commissioner of natural resources with money from this appropriation must be designated as an outdoor recreation unit under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.07. The commissioner may similarly designate any lands acquired in less than fee title. A list of proposed restorations and fee title and easement acquisitions must be provided as part of the required work program. All funding for conservation easements must include a long-term stewardship plan and funding for monitoring and enforcing the agreement.
Click on "Final Report" under "Project Details".
Click on "Final Report" under "Project Details".