Commissioners accept easement and quitclaim deed to clarify ownership of county park road; settlement agreement tabled

Hardin County Commissioners Court on Aug. 26 accepted a grant of easement and a quitclaim deed from 3 Tree Southern Growth LLC (c/o Manulife Investment Timberland and Agriculture Inc.) to clarify the county’s right of way for a portion of Ghost Road County Park in Saratoga, while tabling a related settlement agreement pending further review.

Commissioner Young explained the action grew from a 2021 land purchase by the timber company, which logged up to the park boundary and removed trees that the county said were within the county park established in 1997. The county attorney and county negotiators worked with the property owner to agree on replanting and to secure an easement and quitclaim deed that, as presented, clarify the county’s right-of-way status in perpetuity while granting the private owner access to specific logging roads through an easement.

Commissioner Young moved to accept the grant of easement and the quitclaim deed but to table the broader settlement agreement until county staff can answer questions raised by the historical commission (Mr. Minnick was mentioned as raising questions). The court voted to accept the easement and quitclaim deed and to table the settlement agreement; Commissioners thanked staff and the county attorney for their work on the matter.

Discussion vs. action: accepting the easement and quitclaim deed was formal action; tabling the settlement agreement was a formal direction to delay final acceptance until outstanding historical‑commission questions are resolved. Staff will notify the court when the settlement agreement can return to the agenda.