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County approves DNR agreement for 2.2-mile Heartland Itasca Spur segment after timber-impact debate
Summary
Hubbard County commissioners approved a DNR agreement to proceed with a 2.2-mile segment of the Heartland Itasca Spur Trail, after Natural Resources staff pressed the DNR for better coordination and compensation for timber lost on county-managed lands.
Hubbard County commissioners voted to approve an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to allow construction of a 2.2-mile segment of the Heartland Itasca Spur Trail, after extended debate about timber impacts, communication and access for local loggers.
Natural resources manager Courtney told the board the full trail proposal covers about 17 miles and, at a typical 33-foot width, could remove roughly 68 acres of timber in county-managed land. Courtney said that could reduce the county’s timber revenue — “about 25% of our timber revenue comes from the land around the trail” — and urged DNR staff to provide earlier notice and negotiate compensation or mitigation for lost stumpage.
DNR program staffer Dave Johnson acknowledged communication gaps and apologized for the oversight. “We apologize for the oversight,” Johnson said. He described the 2.2-mile segment before the board as the portion the DNR intends to bid now and said the agency would work to coordinate field reconnaissance, crossings for loggers and refuse removal so contractors do not leave burn piles on county property.
Commissioners pressed both sides on practical issues: whether existing timber sales could be completed before construction, how archaeologists and wetland delineations affect routing, and whether the shortest route is the right route for long-term timber management. Commissioner comments emphasized two distinct questions: approving the immediate 2.2-mile work and protecting county interests when later phases are designed.
After discussion, a motion to approve the agreement for the 2.2-mile segment — with direction to improve coordination on crossings, timber sales and communication as the project proceeds — passed by voice vote.
Next steps: the DNR may award the construction bid for the 2.2-mile portion once the agreement is finalized and the agencies continue face-to-face walk-throughs to identify logging crossings and other mitigation.
Votes at a glance: the motion to approve the agreement was made, seconded and carried by voice vote; no roll-call tallies were provided in the record.
