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DNR seeks county approval to add acreage to Great River Bluffs State Park statutory boundary
Summary
Department of Natural Resources unit supervisor asked the county to sign off on adding a privately owned parcel to the statutory boundary so the state can make an offer; board members asked for a resolution to review and asked staff to prepare formal materials for an upcoming meeting.
A Minnesota Department of Natural Resources official asked Winona County commissioners Aug. 12 to support adding a privately owned parcel to the statutory boundary of Great River Bluffs State Park so the state could consider making an acquisition offer.
John Holder, unit supervisor for Great River Bluffs and Beaver Creek Valley state parks, told the board that a landowner owns about 56 acres, with roughly 20 acres of that parcel currently outside the park’s statutory boundary. “In order for us to make an offer on that parcel, that parcel does need to completely be in the statutory boundary of the park,” Holder said. He said the county’s approval of a boundary adjustment is one part of the state’s acquisition process; later real‑estate steps would follow if the county approves adding the acreage.
Commissioners asked for clarification and additional documentation. Commissioner Meyer noted the packet did not include a resolution and asked whether staff could prepare one; other commissioners requested clearer maps and asked staff to ensure the record shows which portion of the parcel the DNR intends to include. Some commissioners said they had policy concerns about changes to the tax base and asked staff to provide context on payments in lieu of taxes (PILT) or comparable compensation from the state.
Board direction and next steps: Commissioners asked DNR and county staff to provide a formal resolution, clearer mapping (noting the board’s question about multiple color-coded boxes in the packet), and additional information about fiscal impacts (PILT or other compensation). Staff said they could return the item at the county’s next meeting so the board could consider a resolution before the end of August. No boundary resolution was adopted Aug. 12.
Ending: Commissioners who said they use Great River Bluffs for recreation voiced support in principle for preserving the land but asked the DNR and county staff to provide written resolution language and fiscal context before formal approval.
