On October 27, 2009, the county board passed a motion to accept a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) proposal to expand its Myhr Creek Ridge Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) in Hovland.
According to an October 20 DNR request for county board action, “Scientific and Natural Areas are established to preserve and perpetuate the ecological diversity of Minnesota’s natural heritage, including landforms, fossil remains, plant and animal communities, rare species, or other natural features and geological formations, for scientific research, education, and nature observation. The SNA Program’s goal is to ensure that no single rare feature is lost from any region of the state.
“…The main features of interest at Myhr Creek Ridge SNA are fire-dependent, conifer dominated woodlands and expansive rock outcrop native plant communities that stand in stark contrast to the wetter forests that dominate almost all of the rest of the North Shore Highlands.”
The new 40-acre tract is adjacent to a 160-acre tract that was designated a Scientific and Natural Area in 2004. The entire acreage is open to hunting, dogs, noncommercial berry picking, and picnicking.
Part of the process is to condemn the DNR’s school trust interest in the 40-acre tract. The DNR will deposit an amount of money equal to the parcel’s appraised value in the state’s Permanent School Fund. The interest earned on this fund is distributed to Minnesota school districts.
Thechange will not reduce the amount of money the county gets from the state as payment in lieu of taxes, which was $.64 an acre in 2007.
The DNR sent out 65 letters to nearby landowners. Five responded, all in favor of the designation.
According to Steve Wilson of the DNR, Myhr Creek Ridge is one of only two areas on the North Shore with the same distinctive ecological qualities.
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