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Supervisors discuss interim county role to preserve Northland College parcels along White River
Summary
Supervisors and staff discussed a possible short-term county intervention to acquire and preserve parcels Northland College intends to sell, with the goal of placing them under conservation protection and later transferring them to a conservancy or stewardship program.
County supervisors discussed a possible interim role for Ashland County to help preserve land Northland College may sell as the college moves to liquidate some properties.
Why it matters: The parcels in question include roughly a 90-acre portion in Ashland County and an adjacent roughly 30-acre parcel in Bayfield County on the White River. Speakers said the Ashland portion’s original conservation restrictions expired two years ago, which could put the property at risk of redevelopment if a buyer does not maintain reservations for public-access recreation and habitat protection. Supervisors said preserving the parcels would be consistent with the county’s comprehensive plan objectives to protect environmental corridors, water quality and recreational access.
Supervisor Boussay (chairing the comprehensive plan update) described discussions with Northland College representatives and the Landmark Conservancy; the college’s preference, as described to county staff, is to keep the land in conservation and public use if feasible. County staff said an interim county acquisition — followed by application for state stewardship funds (Knowles-Nelson funds) or transfer to a conservancy — could preserve trails, parking and public access while a larger funding or stewardship solution is assembled. County staff warned that state stewardship and conservancy transfers can be time-consuming and that Northland may need quicker cash if it sells assets to address liquidity.
Operational considerations raised included ongoing overhead for buildings on the property, who would manage the parcel long-term if the county took interim title, and whether the Northland College Alumni Association or other partners might help with operating costs. Supervisors expressed general support for staff to pursue conversations with Northland College and Bayfield County to evaluate options; no purchase was authorized at the meeting.
Ending: Supervisors asked staff to continue confidential conversations and to report back with cost estimates, potential partners, and timetables for applying for stewardship funds if the college confirms interest in a conservation outcome.
