Committee approves DNR lands‑bill amendment; boundary change for Carley State Park included, other parcels to be sold

Senate File 1635, the annual land‑management bill presented by Senator Hao Chao, was amended and accepted in committee on March 13. The author offered and the committee adopted an A1 amendment and then heard Department of Natural Resources testimony describing the four short sections in the bill.

Laurie Klein, attorney for the DNR Division of Lands and Minerals, told senators that the bill contained one proposed state‑park boundary expansion and three county requests to sell tax‑forfeited parcels. The boundary change would add approximately 58 acres to Carley State Park to facilitate a planned donation by the landowners; the owners were present in the hearing and described the donation as part of an estate plan.

Klein said the parcel contains riparian corridor, partly forested land and restored prairie that would complement existing park resources. Sections 2–4 authorize private sales of tax‑forfeited parcels in Aitkin County and Saint Louis County. Klein said DNR had reviewed the county proposals and had no objections.

Senator Houchow thanked the landowners and the committee briefly discussed the bill’s inclusion in future omnibus consideration. The author said the bill is noncontroversial and noted additional small parcels added in the amendment for the author’s district. The committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion in an omnibus lands bill.

The committee recorded adoption of the A1 amendment on the record; the bill as amended will be laid over for potential omnibus inclusion and no immediate disposition was recorded as a final passage.