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Board approves transfer of 155 acres to Minnesota DNR for Richard Dorr Memorial Hardwood Forest expansion
Summary
The Wabasha County Board approved a Trust for Public Land proposal to acquire about 155 acres along the Zumbro River and donate it to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for forest restoration and public access; the vote passed after a roll call (4–1).
The Wabasha County Board of Commissioners approved a Trust for Public Land proposal to purchase roughly 155 acres on the Zumbro River and convey it to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to expand the Richard Dorr Memorial Hardwood Forest.
Representatives from the Trust for Public Land and the Minnesota DNR described the property as frequently flooded and partly in agriculture; the plan calls for restoring the land to floodplain hardwood forest to reduce erosion and nutrient loading into the Zumbro and Mississippi Rivers, enhance wildlife habitat, and improve public access for hunting, fishing and recreation. The Trust for Public Land said funding would come from the Outdoor Heritage Fund and that restoration funds are included.
Trust for Public Land land-protection director Bob McGilvray told commissioners the organization would acquire the property from landowners Travis and David Sherhammer and then donate it to DNR Forestry. DNR Region Manager Bob Milne said the agency would accept the property and manage it as forest land.
County discussion noted that the property has flooded almost annually and that the purchase would increase the annual PILT payment (payment in lieu of taxes) above the current assessed taxes. The Trust for Public Land estimated the PILT would exceed $5,718 compared with current real estate taxes payable of $1,782.
The board moved and seconded approval of the land acquisition request. A roll-call vote recorded Commissioner Springer voting aye, Commissioner Waukes (Wakas) voting nay, Commissioner Wabbe voting aye, Commissioner Key voting aye and Commissioner Powers voting aye, producing a 4–1 approval.
Trust for Public Land said the intended acquisition timing is late fall or early winter, with restoration work beginning the following spring and continuing over subsequent seasons. Staff said existing two-track field access to the river could provide immediate public access after the transaction is complete.
