Committee enrolls two county-owned parcels in County Forest program

Polk County Environmental Services Committee members voted to enroll two county-owned parcels in the County Forest Law system during the committee meeting. The committee approved placing a 1.99-acre McKinley strip into the County Forest system and separately approved enrolling the Lorraine property purchased from the Ice Age Trail Alliance.

The enrollments aim to preserve public access and meet grant conditions. Committee staff described the McKinley parcel as a narrow, roughly 2-acre strip off 280 Fifth that provides parking and easier access into an otherwise remote block of county forest land used by recreational visitors and for forestry operations. The Lorraine parcel, staff said, must be enrolled as a condition of the grant used to buy that property; failing to enroll could trigger grant repayment.

County staff told the committee the McKinley strip is county-owned and not a new purchase; the enrollment simply documents the parcel in the County Forest Law system so the county retains management authority and ensures long-term access. Staff also noted the enrollment will change the town severance share for the town of McKinley, adding roughly two acres to the town’s severance calculation. The committee heard no public objections during the discussion.

The committee approved the McKinley enrollment by voice vote after a motion and second (the record shows the motion was seconded by a committee member identified as Doug; the motion maker was not specified on the record). The Lorraine enrollment was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote; staff said the signed documents will be sent to the state for formal enrollment and that the county board chair and clerk will need to sign the legal description and application before filing.

Staff said there is no purchase cost for the McKinley strip because it is already county property; the Lorraine parcel was purchased from the Ice Age Trail Alliance and enrollment is required by the grant terms within one year of acquisition, or the county risks repayment of the grant. Staff also said they will prepare and send the enrollment paperwork once the signed legal descriptions are complete.

Committee action and next steps: staff will obtain the required signatures (county board chair and county clerk) and submit both enrollment applications to the state to complete County Forest Law enrollment. The committee did not identify any additional conditions or follow-up reporting required beyond filing the enrollment paperwork.

Votes at a glance: the transcript records voice approvals for both enrollments; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the meeting minutes provided.

Ending: Staff indicated the county will sign and forward the enrollment paperwork to the state; the committee moved on to timber-sale and ordinance business.