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Dunn County commission backs park board effort to pursue purchase of 13.3 acres at Lake Ilo
Summary
The commission voted to support the park board’s effort to pursue purchase of the 13.3-acre Lake Ilo park parcel leased from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and authorized the chair to sign routine application paperwork to advance the process. The federal transfer will require multiple federal and congressional steps and is likely years away.
Dunn County commissioners voted to back the Lake Ilo Park Board’s effort to pursue purchase of the 13.3-acre parcel currently leased from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Daryl Ducart, chair of the park board, told commissioners the purchase would cover only the park area — not the broader refuge — and described the steps the county must follow, including a federal surplus determination, environmental and cultural reviews, congressional authorization and negotiated purchase terms. “We’re just buying 13.3 acres — just the park,” Ducart said, framing the effort as a way to keep local control of park improvements and public safety work.
County legal counsel and staff warned the process will take time. Pat (county attorney) advised commissioners the Fish and Wildlife Service disposes of lands under stricter rules than other federal agencies and estimated the process would likely take a minimum of four years before federal approval. “Realistically, with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, it will probably be a minimum of 4 years before it's approved,” Pat said.
Commissioners discussed practical implications: whether owning the land is the right role for county government, what controls the county would have after purchase, and the limits imposed by historic- and refuge-related protections. Park board members said ownership would allow more straightforward local maintenance and improvements while they expect federal compatibility requirements and State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) review to remain relevant.
After discussion the commission voted to “move forward with the process” to pursue the acquisition; the motion carried on a roll-call vote with Commissioners Heizer, Olsen, Pelton, Kleeman and Dalzell recorded as yes. The board later approved a separate motion authorizing the presiding commissioner to sign routine application and preliminary paperwork required to advance the petition process, and the county attorney recommended adopting a formal resolution to document that delegation.
What happens next: staff and the park board will coordinate with the regional U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and, where needed, congressional offices; environmental and cultural compliance steps will follow before any negotiated purchase or final transfer. Commissioners and park board members emphasized the timeline and funding are uncertain and that any purchase would require later, specific approvals and budget decisions by the commission.
The commission’s action is an endorsement to proceed with federal-level steps, not an authorization to purchase or commit county funds. The park board and county staff will return with further details as the process advances.
