DEPARTMENT: Environmental Resources
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Acquisition Of Conservation Easement On Bauer Property Adjacent To Spring Lake Park Reserve In Nininger Township And Authorization To Amend 2022 Environmental Resources Capital Improvement Program Budget
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RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Alfred and Julie Bauer and Gordon and Cynthia Bauer (collectively Bauer) own 56.34 acres adjacent to Spring Lake Park Reserve (SLPR); and
WHEREAS, the Bauer's cooperated with the County in completing two ravine stabilization projects, including removal of solid waste from both the Bauer and park properties in early 2022; and
WHEREAS, the 2020 Land Conservation Plan for Dakota County identified 24 Preliminary Conservation Focus Areas (CFA), including the Spring Lake CFA in Nininger Township, which includes a portion of the Bauer property; and
WHEREAS, County staff proposed protecting and restoring a portion of the Bauer property that would include the ravine stabilization project area, provide a vegetative buffer between cultivated farmland and the park and additional wildlife habitat, and allow County staff to more easily access portions of SLPR for natural resource restoration and maintenance; and
WHEREAS, County staff completed, reviewed, and approved an independent appraisal of a 5.61-acre permanent natural area conservation easement (Easement) on the Bauer property in April 2022; and
WHEREAS, the Bauer's have agreed to sell the Easement for the appraised $52,315 and contribute an estimated $1,250 of the estimated $12,500 restoration costs; and
WHEREAS, the estimated closing costs are $1,000; and
WHEREAS, acquisition of the Easement and restoration is eligible for state Outdoor Heritage (OH) funding appropriated to the County by the Minnesota Legislature in 2022 (ML22); and
WHEREAS, the 2022 Environmental Resources (ER) Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget includes adequate fund balance from Minnesota ML22 OH funds and County grant m...
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