Washington County approves two conservation easements in Afton totaling $915,000

The Washington County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 5 adopted two resolutions authorizing the county to sign conservation easements for parcels in the city of Afton and to contribute a combined $915,000 toward the easements.

Planner Serena Rass introduced the Land and Water Legacy Program proposals, saying, "Good morning, Mr. Chair and commissioners. As Kevin mentioned, my name is Serena Rass. I'm a planner in the office administration, working on the county's land and water legacy program." She told the board the two projects sit along the Valley Creek Corridor and expand protection adjacent to an existing easement known as the Blasco property.

The board approved a resolution authorizing a county contribution of $395,000 toward the conservation easement on a 5.24-acre parcel (the Thomas project) and a second resolution authorizing a $520,000 contribution for a 3.24-acre parcel (the Cremins project). The county will hold and monitor both easements. Rass said each property's full appraised conservation-easement value is expected to be reimbursed 50% by a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Natural and Scenic Areas grant after the easement closing, leaving the county to fund the other 50% from the program’s interim funding source.

Rass described habitat and site details presented to the board: the Thomas parcel includes steep bluff lands that county staff marked as core habitat for songbirds and other species; the Cremins parcel includes roughly 700 feet of Valley Creek along its northern boundary and woodland habitat. Rass also said both parcels contain or are within a mile of records for rare or species of concern cited in the DNR Natural Heritage database.

Under the easement terms summarized for the board, limited public access and low-impact uses will be allowed, along with habitat management under an approved stewardship plan. The Cremins easement specifically allows a maximum five-year leaseback for the former Thomas property owner to live on the Cremins property; Rass said that leaseback runs through November 2029. Rass said buildings on the Thomas parcel will be removed after closing (likely in 2025) and restoration work will follow. She also described Belwin Conservancy as the landowner/partner responsible for restoration and long-term stewardship of the properties.

Commissioners spoke in support. Commissioner Richard Cox said, "I just think it's incredible work," and thanked the county and partner organizations for creating a habitat corridor and protecting the Valley Creek watershed. Other commissioners praised the program’s fiscal management, the prioritization of high-quality habitat, and the county’s partnership with Belwin Conservancy and the Minnesota DNR.

Votes at a glance: - Resolution authorizing a county conservation easement and $395,000 contribution for the 5.24-acre Thomas parcel (appraised value $395,000): motion by Commissioner Cox, second by Commissioner Bingham; roll-call vote Aye 5–0 (Commissioners Miron, Cox, Bingham, Claussen, Karwasaki). Outcome: approved. - Resolution authorizing a county conservation easement and $520,000 contribution for the 3.24-acre Cremins parcel (appraised value $520,000): motion by Commissioner Cox, second by Commissioner Miron; roll-call vote Aye 5–0 (Commissioners Miron, Cox, Bingham, Claussen, Karwasaki). Outcome: approved. - Separate board action: motion to cancel the Sept. 30 county board meeting (motion by Commissioner Bingham, second by Commissioner Miron); roll-call vote Aye 5–0. Outcome: approved.

What the board authorized is limited to signing and funding the easements and monitoring them as the county easement holder. The Minnesota DNR grant is structured as a reimbursement to the county for 50% of each easement’s appraised value after closing, meaning the county will initially approve the full appraised amounts but expects the DNR share to offset half the cost post-closing. Rass and commissioners noted restoration work and stewardship will be led by Belwin Conservancy, and that residential uses on the parcels will cease under the easement once leasebacks expire and buildings are removed.

The action came under the Land and Water Legacy Program, the county-run initiative created after a 2006 voter referendum to protect land and water resources. Rass told the board funding for these easements will come from interim Land and Water Legacy program funds approved by a 2024 budget amendment.

The county board’s approvals require the county board chair and county administrator to sign easement documents on the board’s behalf; the motions recorded those authorizations. No formal dissent or amendments were recorded in debate on the easements.