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County to temporarily hold Maxwell properties for Landmark Conservation Conservancy pending DNR transfer
Summary
Ashland County will take temporary ownership of land purchased by Landmark Conservation Conservancy (including land portions in Bayfield County) and later transfer the properties to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources after grant and appraisal processes are complete.
County staff told the committee the Landmark Conservation Conservancy is purchasing several parcels on the White River and that Ashland County will temporarily accept ownership of both the Ashland- and Bayfield-county portions to facilitate a grant that requires a government entity as owner.
According to staff, Landmark will buy the properties and then transfer both the Ashland County and Bayfield County portions to Ashland County temporarily; the county will hold the parcels for the DNR until the Department of Natural Resources completes its appraisal and acceptance process. Staff warned the DNR may request a second appraisal that could arrive at a lower valuation. The county emphasized it expects no lasting county expense and that public access (river access, hunting, fishing) should be possible for the Ashland County portion once the transfers are finalized. The Bayfield County portion carries an easement that may limit some access and uses.
Staff said the combined property is roughly 130 acres (about 90 acres in Ashland County and about 40 acres in Bayfield County) and that initial appraisal values surprised staff; the first appraisal came in significantly higher than some committee members expected. The county will support Landmark’s grant application that would cover the remainder of the purchase price and will coordinate any DNR appraisal requirement.
The committee was informed that the county will hold the property for an interim period—likely a year or longer—until the DNR completes its process and receives the transferred parcels. Staff noted the arrangement simplifies ownership and stewardship while grants and state approvals are finalized.
