County board certifies USFWS notification of 218‑acre Rocky Ridge Farm habitat easement

Jacob Gross, a representative of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, told the Pipestone County Board of Commissioners that the agency is seeking county certification of a proposed habitat easement on approximately 218 acres owned by Rocky Ridge Farm LLP in Section 2 of Rock Township.

"This easement is with the Rocky Ridge Farm LLP and approximately 218 acres located in section two of the Rock Township," Gross said, describing the parcel as private land with native prairie and independent grass cover and noting that duck stamp funds (the Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp program) — not general tax dollars — fund these easements.

Gross told commissioners the property would remain in private ownership, that landowners would continue to pay property taxes, and that planned habitat restorations (wetland restorations and invasive tree removal) were not expected to negatively affect neighboring drainage or property boundaries. He said there would be no public access beyond a current walking agreement unless the landowner permits it.

The presentation cited procedural requirements: after county notification and certification, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service acquisitions proceed to the Minnesota land exchange board for final approval. The board took the requested procedural step: commissioners voted to certify receipt of the notification.

Next steps: Gross offered to send a copy of the easement materials to county staff and said the USFWS will proceed with state-level review. Commissioners recorded the certification and no further county action was requested at the meeting.

Source: Presentation by Jacob Gross (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) to the Pipestone County Board of Commissioners.