The Crow Wing County Board voted Nov. 25 to approve a Class B land exchange with Bradley and Jane Holmvig that swaps roughly equal acreage on a one-for-one basis to strengthen a buffer around the county landfill.

Tom (Land Services) told commissioners the Holmvig parcel totals 88.25 acres and includes approximately 40 acres that historically have been used as a gravel pit. The county parcel proposed for exchange is about 88.64 acres of tax-forfeited buffer land in Bay Lake Township; valuations provided in staff's report showed the tax-forfeited parcels at $359,200 and the county parcel at $377,100 (timber values included). Staff said no cash will change hands and that Holmvigs must reclaim the existing gravel pit under their conditional use permit; the Holmvigs indicated an interest in future gravel extraction subject to CUP limits and reclamation requirements.

Commissioners discussed whether the county had performed due diligence on value and whether alternate parcels might be preferable. Staff noted some reduction in value because a power-line easement crosses the county parcel (an estimated ~10% effect) and that Minnesota Power will pay for an easement. County staff also confirmed reclamation commitments and said the Holmvigs would be required to reclaim slopes and related pit features when operations conclude.

Commissioner Coring moved to approve the resolution authorizing the land exchange; the motion passed on a roll-call vote with one dissenting vote (Commissioner Luebke) and the remainder voting aye. The exchange is intended to prevent residential development adjacent to the landfill and provide a long-term buffer.