Initial plans are for a wildlife management area

By Robert Williams

Editor

he Becker County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution to allow the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to proceed with a land acquisition of the Toad Mountain area with plans to turn it into a wildlife management area, according to Park Rapids DNR Area Wildlife Manager Erik Thorson.

Thorson was joined by Trust for Public Land Project Manager Nick Bancks, who was a part of the group that attempted to turn Toad Mountain into a Regional Park in 2024.

That plan was shut down by nearly unanimous opposition from local residents.

“We’ve since worked with the seller after that to try to continue to preserve the property while opening it up to the public to enjoy and experience,” said Thorson.

The original land to be acquired in 2024 was 253 acres in total. The land to be acquired for the wildlife management area excludes three acres of already developed waterfront, which includes two cabins and some other infrastructure buildings.

Thorson explained that the wildlife management area would allow hiking, hunting, wildlife observation, cross country skiing, trapping and fishing from the shoreline and access to the network of existing trails.

The sale would include an annual state payment in lieu of taxes of an estimated $12,400 a year. That is nearly double the property taxes paid this year of $6,900, according to Bancks.

Camping, horseback riding and motorized outdoor activities will not be allowed in the management area.

The loss of property tax revenue was one of many points of contention during the county’s 2024 attempt to create a regional park at Toad Mountain.

Biologist Willis Mattson, representing the Izaak Walton League of America, spoke during the open forum in favor of the DNR’s acquisition of the property. He also noted the Izaak Walton League’s willingness to work with the DNR to support the acquisition.

Osage resident Clark Lee spoke via telephone during the open forum supporting the adoption of the resolution to allow the DNR’s land acquisition. Lee reported that a recent Toad Lake Township meeting was held and there was unanimous support from the township board and residents.

“We think that would be a real positive for the county and state,” said Lee.

Lee was a leading voice of staunch opposition to creating a regional park of the Toad Mountain area a year ago.

Commissioner Erica Jepson reiterated that everyone at the township meeting had agreed that this was a good step forward for the mountain area.

Specialty Courts

Coordinator Kristal Kadrie reported Drug and Veterans Court statistics as of July 1.

“It’s clear that these programs save both money and lives,” Kadrie said. “We continue to build on that success and make sure we don’t fall behind as the state continues to expand treatment courts.”

Kadrie also shared the annual budget and commissioners gave its annual $15,000 donation to the program.

Graduates: 134 total (83 in Clay, 51 in Becker)

– 132 were employed upon graduation

-1 was enrolled in college as a full-time student upon graduation

– 70 obtained their driver’s licenses while in program, others already had theirs

-All who were required were current on child support payments upon graduation

– All were sober for over 6 months at graduation

– All completed community service projects of at least 50 hours

– 24 have re-offended since graduation (17.7 percent recidivism rate) – this requires a conviction

Graduate demographics: 88 men, 46 women

105 Caucasian, 17 Native American, 4 Hispanic, 3 African-American, 5 multi-racial

Veterans court

11 graduates (5 Clay, 6 Becker)

No one is currently in Veterans Court in Becker County; 1 veteran in Clay County

None have re-offended since graduating.

Demographic data: 10 men, 1 woman, all Caucasian

Total graduates: 145 (83.5 percent have not reoffended)

Clay/Becker treatment

court budget

July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026

Expenses:

Defense Attorney Contract – Clay County $10,000

Clay Probation salary/fringe/retirement/insurance $48,000

Clay Agent’s Mileage $1,000

Two Surveillance agents (one in Clay, one in Becker) $27,040

Surveillance Agents Mileage $2,000

Clay Coordinator salary and benefits – 50 percent Treatment Court Budget  $50,000

Becker Coordinator Salary and Benefits – 25 percent Treatment Court Budget $25,000

Coordinator mileage $3,500

Drug Testing Supplies/confirmation tests $6,000

Trainings/State Conference $15,000

Program incentives $1,000

Total= $182,540

Current funding:

State Funding (State paid 100 percent funding formula with extra cannabis funds) $143,000

Clay County Commission $30,000

Becker County Commission $15,000

Drug Court participant fees $1,000

Total= $189,000