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Pine County transfers Soo Line corridor to regional rail authority to streamline permits
Summary
The county voted to transfer ownership of the county's Soo Line rail corridor to the Pine County Regional Rail Authority so the authority's ordinance will govern crossings and permits; the county attorney reviewed the deed and the board approved the transfer by roll call.
County staff told the board that ownership of the old Soo Line rail corridor is fragmented between the county and the Pine County Regional Rail Authority and recommended cleaning up that ownership by quick‑claiming the Soo Line to the rail authority so a single ordinance would apply.
"And so it would be our recommendation that the Soo Line be quick claimed to the railroad authority," staff told commissioners as they described the legal and operational rationale for the transfer. Commissioners discussed deed history, potential co‑ownership approaches and asked the county attorney to review title and the proposed deed language; county counsel reported having reviewed the proposal and advised it made sense.
After discussion and questions about permit authority and historic practice, board members moved and voted to transfer the Soo Line corridor to the regional rail authority. Staff said the action should clarify which entity issues crossing permits and will reduce procedural confusion for departments and landowners.
The board then recessed to convene the rail authority (the authority's membership is the county board) to confirm officers and to consider crossing permits and easement requests under the authority's ordinance.
