Residents want more feedback on Comp land use plan 

By Robert Williams

Editor

The Becker County Board of Commissioners approved a Heartland State Trail cooperative construction agreement with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources on the Frazee Trail segment (County Highway 10 to Trunk Highway 87 Tuesday, Sept. 3.

Expiring bond funding that is set to expire this fall will be used on the project to keep the funds.

The agreement defines the rights and obligations of the parties with respect to final construction engineering, construction inspection and construction contract bidding and contract administration necessary for the development of the State Trail, including a Trailhead parking facility, and additional state trail associated improvements as identified in the final plans and specifications of the Heartland State Trail between Becker County CSAH 10 and the City of Frazee.

The approximately $1 million path from the bridge at County Highway 10 and U.S. Highway 10 into Frazee will be two miles in length and follow U.S. Highway 10 to 105th Street. It will then connect to State Highway 87/Lake Street near Lions Park.

Comprehensive 

land use plan

Izaak Walton League member Willis Matson appeared before the board in the open forum asking for a more in-depth opportunity to speak on the comprehensive land use plan content and procedures.

Matson submitted details in writing, including input made into the plan and a lack of acknowledgement of those issues and a lack of how to address them.

A larger group appeared before the planning commission earlier in the week and voiced those issues. Matson noted none of what was said was put into the record.

“It was baffling to us that the commission had understood that they were not supposed to recommend any changes, additions or modifications to the plan,” said Matson. “Everything that was said that night was just left hanging in the air and relatively meaningless, as a result.”

Matson requested a legitimate public hearing be held so that changes and improvements can be made to the comprehensive plan.

The board has a planning commission working session next with consultants on the comp plan.

“We’re a little bit stymied here on how to move the process forward,” Matson said.

Commissioner Erica Jepson noted the feedback will be addressed at next week’s meeting Tuesday, Sept. 10.

Matson requested a follow-up meeting to address any issues that are not resolved.

Dunton Locks

Bristlin Construction was awarded the low bid of $477,665 to construct a new replacement shelter and pathway at Dunton Locks in Detroit Lakes.

Money raised from Parks and Recreation timber sales and other county projects that have to be spent on recreational items will be used, along with a state grant. Commissioner Barry Nelson noted that these are not general tax dollars being spent.

Visitors to the park at Dunton Locks have increased dramatically with the connecting bike trail and installation of one of artist Thomas Dambo’s trolls.

Crow Wing 

River Watershed

Becker County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Bryan Malone presented a draft of the Crow Wing River Watershed, which includes Park Rapids area lakes, the Gull Lake chain, Forests and Wetlands, Conversion to Agriculture land in the Pineland Sands, Drumlins and very few water quality impairments.

“Our focus on this plan is more protection,” said Malone.

The Becker County area is in the northwest portion of the watershed that runs from the Wolf Lake area to White Earth Nation. The watershed stretches to the southeast extending to Baxter.

The watershed has 37 wild rice lakes, eight Cisco Refuge lakes (deep and clear enough that they will still provide suitable coldwater fish habitat even after significant climate warming), 87 priority shallow lakes, 2 trout lakes, 112 miles of 10 trout streams, 52 lakes with highest phosphorus sensitivity and 64 lakes with outstanding biological significance, according to the report.

The watershed includes over 627 lakes 10 acres in size or greater as well as 1,653 stream and river miles. The Crow Wing River flows into the Mississippi River at Crow Wing State Park. Land use is mostly forested and agriculture.

Next up is the end of a 60-day review period that ends on Sept. 24. The plan will be posted online, along with public notices.

More information can be found at www.pca.state.mn.us/business-with-us/watershed-information

Land donation

Northern Waters Land Trust (NWLT) intends to purchase 80 acres of land (PIN 210044000) in Osage Township. This land will be donated to Becker County for forest management.

The board voted unanimously to accept the donation.

The purchase and conveyance of this property to Becker County is possible through the use of State of Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Funds and will ensure wildlife habitat and healthy forests in the area.

NWLT anticipates purchasing the property in 2025 and plans to donate it to Becker County as soon as possible thereafter. The parcels are located between Smoky Hills State Forest and Two Inlets State Forest.