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Board backs small statutory boundary change to allow DNR purchase for John Latch State Park
Summary
The board supported a DNR request to adjust the statutory boundary of John Latch State Park so the agency can purchase a half‑acre offered by a private landowner; commissioners asked the DNR to consider payment‑in‑lieu‑of‑taxes for the acquisition.
The Winona County Board unanimously supported a DNR request to approve a statutory boundary adjustment for John Latch State Park so the state can acquire approximately a half‑acre offered by a private landowner.
Jimmy Fox, manager for John Latch at Whitewater State Parks, explained the statutory park boundary is roughly 1,500 acres while the state currently owns about 450 acres. Fox said a landowner approached the DNR in January offering to sell acreage that included about a half‑acre lying outside the statutory boundary; Minnesota law requires the DNR to seek local support for statutory boundary changes before acquisition.
Commissioners described the acquisition as consistent with the park’s history and mission. One commissioner asked that DNR provide a payment‑in‑lieu‑of‑taxes proposal so the county tax base impact of converting private land to public ownership is mitigated; Fox said he would share information about payment‑in‑lieu options and notify adjacent landowners.
The board voted to receive the DNR presentation and to send a letter or resolution endorsing the statutory boundary adjustment.
No substantive conditions were attached to the endorsement beyond the request that DNR consider tax‑payment mitigation and provide outreach to neighbors.
