The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) does not normally seek public input regarding potential land exchanges in the early planning stages, however it made an exception in 2008. DNR Division of Forestry representatives provided information to the public on a possible land exchange between the agency and seasonal Hovland resident Larry DeWester. Cook County Land Commissioner Mary Black explained that after a large public outcry regarding a similar land exchange near the city of Grand Marais in 2006, the DNR held the 2008 meeting to gauge public opinion on the current land swap. Black said since opposition was “minimal” the DNR proceeded with appraisals and is now holding the final hearing required by state statute. Thesame evening a final hearing will be held on what the DNR deemed a less controversial land exchange, of property owned by Linda Swinyard.
DeWester seeks to exchange 440 acres of land in Hovland for 320 acres of state land in other areas in the county. DeWester’s Hovland land is off the Jackson Lake Road, about a half mile from Jackson Lake. The state land to be exchanged includes two blocks of land in Lutsen— 160 acres just off the Caribou Trail, northeast of Holly Lake with an estimated 2008 market value of $368,000 and 80 acres in Lutsen, northeast of Christine Lake, about a half mile after the Caribou Trail pavement ends, just south of the Honeymoon Trail, with an estimated 2008 market value of $192,000. The remaining land consists of two 40-acre parcels in Grand Marais off the old dump road, near Pedersen’s Transfer Station. That land had a 2008 estimated market value of $22,000 for each 40-acre parcel.
When the land exchange proposed was introduced in 2008, DeWester said that he would consider selling the lots off the Caribou Trail in Lutsen to someone who may build a planned unit development. The property is zoned forest/agricultural/ recreational.
That is what concerns some Lutsen residents, who do not feel the area is suitable for development. At the Tuesday, August 18 Lutsen Annual Meeting, Paul Nelson of Lutsen, said he was concerned about the idea. “This 160-acres, by the Murmur Creek Road, is a wetlands that feeds Mistletoe Creek. If it was good land for development, I wouldn’t say much about this, but I think this is really going to mess up some beautiful forest lands,” said Nelson.
The other parcels under consideration for exchange are also in Hovland, about ½ mile north of Jackson Lake Road. The DNR would like to trade Linda Swinyard’s 40-acres there for a 40-acre parcel just off the Gunflint Trail near Lace Lake, just to the west of the Gunflint Fire Department’s Poplar Fire Hall. Swinyard’s property is valued at $68,000.
The exchange of Swinyard’s property, like DeWester’s, would consolidate state land. Both properties are surrounded by state land. The parcels DeWester owns in Hovland all have good potential for timber harvesting, said DNR Supervisor Doug Rowlett in 2008, and will readily grow conifers. Rowlett said incorporating these parcels will make forest management much more efficient.
Land exchang e hearing s
Wednesday, August 26 · Cook County Community Center.
7:00 p.m. Swinyard exchange
7:30 p.m. DeWester exchange
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