BLUE EARTH– The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) received the approval of the Faribault County Board of Commissioners at its meeting on Tuesday to acquire and transfer ownership of approximately 330 acres owned by David D. Cartwright to the DNR.

“The land is located west of Winnebago in Sections 33 and 34 of Winnebago City Township,” DNR representative Stein Innvaer explained. “It has approximately 10,650 feet of frontage on the Blue Earth River.”

The preliminary facility development plans include working with the Division of Parks and Trails to establish a water access site on the Blue Earth River.

“We would also like to construct three gravel parking lots with appropriate signage,” Innvaer said. “Following a complete boundary survey, we will post approximately 100 signs and posts marking the property line.”

Another part of the plan calls for the demolition of a house and out-buildings which are located on the property.

“Before demolition, there will be an inspection and remediation for any hazardous materials on the property,” Innvaer commented. “We will also seal all wells and septic systems.”

Another aspect of the DNR’s plan will deal with habitat development.

“This will be a multi-year plan since there is low availability of some tree and shrub species we want to use,” Innvaer shared. “On land located adjacent to the Blue Earth River, the primary focus will be on enhancing the habitat quality of the naturally occurring floodplain forest that will develop when farming is removed. On land further from the river, we will seed a diverse mix of native prairie tailored to the unique soils of the floodplain fields.”

As part of the agreement, the county will receive an annual amount of at least $21,728 as a payment in lieu of taxes (PILT).

In 2023, Faribault County received a total of $45,361 in PILT payments for Natural Resources Land the DNR already owns in the county.

In other business:

— The commissioners set the mobile device stipend for 2025 at $50, which was equal to the stipend for 2024.

— A motion was approved to reimburse commissioner-elect Gertrude Paschke to attend the 2024 Association of Minnesota Counties annual conference.