Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Habitat Easement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners sign acknowledgment for 75-acre U.S. Fish and Wildlife habitat easement in Murray County
Summary
The board voted to sign a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Certification of Acknowledgment for an approximately 75-acre habitat easement in Mason Township; county staff noted the easement primarily benefits wetland bird species and the DNR Land Exchange Board will review the submission.
Murray County commissioners voted Nov. 4 to sign a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Certification of Acknowledgment for an approximately 75-acre habitat easement in Mason Township.
Eric Earhart, Realty Specialist with the Windom Wetland Management District, told the board the parcel—owned by William Jolhfs and currently enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program—would be acquired for the primary benefit of wetland bird species. Earhart said the easement would not change surrounding cropland or agricultural uses and includes a two-acre exclusion area with an access easement for the landowner.
Commissioner Roger Zins moved to sign the certification and Commissioner Loy Woelber seconded the motion; the board approved the measure. The certification will be submitted to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Land Exchange Board for review and potential approval.
County staff noted the county assessor will determine on a case-by-case basis whether the property’s tax classification changes under the easement. No additional county land-use changes or alterations to farming operations were reported at the meeting.
The board’s action was procedural: signing the county acknowledgment to advance the federal easement through the state review process. The county record lists the easement location as Section 26 of Mason Township (T-107-N, R-41-W).
