DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Donate And Transfer Two Bison To Minnesota Department Of Natural Resources
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize the donation and transfer of two bison to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
SUMMARY
Eight bison cows were reintroduced to Spring Lake Park Reserve in the fall of 2022 at no cost to the County. Dakota County joined the Minnesota Bison Conservation Herd (MBCH), the goal of which is to establish a statewide bison herd of 500 animals to ensure the herd’s long-term sustainability. Dakota County’s bison are a part of the statewide herd.
Seven of those first bison came from Minnesota State Parks, and one came from the Zollman Zoo. Four male calves were born in the spring of 2023 and would have been approaching breeding age in 2025. By Resolution No. 24-427 (August 27, 2024), the Dakota County Board authorized the donation and transfer of those four male bison to the DNR, which did occur in the fall of 2024.
A female bison, from Minneopa State Park, joined the Dakota County herd in Fall 2023. That bison gave birth to a male calf in the Spring of 2024. That calf will approach breeding age during the 2026 breeding season. To prevent the possible mating with familial females in the herd and to help keep the MBCH genetically healthy, this male must be removed during the management day, scheduled for October 1, 2025. In addition, the mother will also be removed for two reasons: To reduce the herd size in anticipation of the arrival of a bull to mate with the remaining females and to reduce the travel stress on her calf.
The Dakota County Board has the authority to transfer the bison to another public corporation under Minn. Stat. § 471.85, which states, “Any county, city, town, or school district may transfer its personal property for a nominal or without consideration to another public corporation for public use when duly authorized by its governing body.”
County staff recommends that Dakota County transfer/donate the male and female bison to the DNR during the fall 2025 bison management day. The DNR will work with the Tonka Fund and/or the Intertribal Bison Council to provide excess bison from the MBCH, including Dakota County’s male and female bison, to an Indigenous nation or community for their use.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends the transfer of the two bison to the DNR.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 20-571 (November 17, 2020), the Dakota County Board approved the design for the bison range project and authorized a contract amendment to retain WSB Associates for the completion of design services through the full delivery of the project; and
WHEREAS, with all the required infrastructure in place, eight bison cows were reintroduced to Spring Lake Park Reserve in the fall of 2022 at no cost to the County; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County joined the Minnesota Bison Conservation Herd (MBCH), the goal of which is to establish a statewide bison herd of 500 animals to ensure the herd’s long-term sustainability; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County’s bison are a part of the statewide herd; and
WHEREAS, seven of those first bison came from Minnesota State Parks and one came from the Zollman Zoo; and
WHEREAS, four male calves were born in the spring of 2023, and would have been approaching breeding age in 2025; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 24-427 (August 27, 2024), the Dakota County Board authorized the donation and transfer of those four male bison to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, which did occur in the fall of 2024; and
WHEREAS, A female bison from Minneopa State Park joined the Dakota County herd in Fall 2023; and
WHEREAS, that bison gave birth to a male calf in the Spring of 2024; and
WHEREAS, that calf will approach breeding age during the 2026 breeding season; and
WHEREAS, to prevent the possible mating with familial females in the herd and to help keep the MBCH genetically healthy, this male must be removed during the management day, scheduled for October 1, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the mother will also be removed for two reasons: To reduce the herd size in anticipation of the arrival of a bull to mate with the remaining females and to reduce the travel stress on her calf; and
WHEREAS, the Dakota County Board has the authority to transfer the bison to another public corporation under Minn. Stat. § 471.85, which states, “Any county, city, town, or school district may transfer its personal property for a nominal or without consideration to another public corporation for public use when duly authorized by its governing body.”; and
WHEREAS, County staff recommends that Dakota County transfer/donate the male and female bison to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the fall 2025 bison management day; and
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will work with the Tonka Fund and/or the Intertribal Bison Council to provide excess bison from the MBCH, including Dakota County’s male and female bison, to an Indigenous nation or community for their use.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby
authorizes the donation and transfer of two bison to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in fall 2025.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
20-571; 11/17/20
24-427; 8/27/24
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: None
BOARD GOALS
☐ Thriving People ☒ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Niki Geisler
Author: Tom Lewanski