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Pine County declines donation of restricted 323‑acre parcel, will continue talks with state and land trust
Summary
A land advisory report recommended against accepting a 323‑acre donation because easement restrictions would prevent memorial‑forest designation and bar access to gravel deposits; commissioners voted to decline the gift but keep communication open with DNR and land‑trust partners.
The county's land advisory committee recommended the board decline a proposed donation of roughly 323 acres because the parcel carries easement restrictions that would prevent the county from designating it as a memorial forest and would preclude access to gravel deposits on the property. Staff and committee members said much of the acreage had been damaged by wind events and offered limited benefit under the current restrictions.
Commissioners discussed the financial and practical impacts, noting that accepting the land would remove acreage from the tax rolls and, due to the easement language, would likely preclude PILT (payments in lieu of taxes) revenue. The board moved to decline the donation while keeping dialogue open with the state and the Land Trust for Public Lands to identify parcels that better match county goals.
