St. Croix County Land Acquisition Eckert Family, LLLP Administrative Committee, September 20, 2017 Ellen Denzer, Director CDD

St. Croix River Crossing-Bluffline Mitigation Memorandum of Understanding St. Croix County and Minnesota Department of Transportation County agrees to implement bluffline mitigation measures, including acquisition of land or easements. Replacement lands: Purchase of fee title, transfer of development rights, or conservation easements Willing sellers Perpetually maintained for land and water conservation, scenic protection and compatible uses including low-impact public recreation. Protection for historic properties in conjunction with land and water conservation goals.

Key Decision Points Funding Purpose &Availability County Criteria Location, Location, Location Water Quality Opportunity Scenic Preservation Opportunity Recreation Opportunity Timing, Timing, Timing Willing Sellers

Exceptional, Large Acreage Site on St. Croix River One of a few opportunities for St. Croix River Shoreline Preservation on the Lower St. Croix River The largest privately-owned undeveloped St. Croix River site Government and non-profit owned parcels excluded from comparison Adjacent to 53.29 acres of county-owned property Protecting the habitat for approximately 25 endangered or threatened species Protecting unique resources including natural hard water springs and old growth oak, elm and central hardwoods

St. Croix County Funding Summary Bluffline Mitigation Funds $2,000,000 Joyce Trust 6.8 acres (SCRC-Loop Trail, Trailhead) $163,152 C.A and Jeanette Richards 53 acres (St. Croix River) $746,000 Margaret Orf 14 acres (Bass Lake) $185,000 Appraisals/Closing Costs $36,531 Remaining $869,317

Eckert Family, LLLP Site Features: 114.37 acres Parcel 2 Parcel 1 Parcel 3 Site Features: 114.37 acres 23.37 acres Section 12, Town of St. Joseph 40 acres Section 12, Town of St. Joseph 51 acres Section 12, Town of Hudson 1550 feet St. Croix River shoreline/bluffline

Parcel 1, 23.37 acres Town of St. Joseph 3-acre minimum lot size Meets bluffline mitigation goals for water quality, scenic protection and public recreation Best parcel for public access to adjacent County property Flat and easy to access viewshed of the St. Croix River 450-feet Native Oak Bluffline Natural Springs Positive Bluffline-very steep making river access difficult Proximity to residential homes 450-feet rocky, natural shoreline Limitations Timber Type 5) Jack Pine 6) Oak Town of St. Joseph 3-acre minimum lot size Riverway Overlay Zoning 11-acres Managed Forest (expires 2041, closed to hunting) Potential timber sale

Parcel 1, photos

Parcel 2, 51 acres Meets bluffline mitigation goals for water quality, scenic protection and public recreation 1100-feet sandy shoreline 1100-feet bluffline Best parcel for public access to the St. Croix River, deep ravines provide foot access to river Native Oak and Hardwoods Unique cabin available for special events, rental, etc. Potential timber thinning/sale on eastern upland Potential recreation connection to the Starr Wood Development-Conservation Area Positive Proximity to residential homes Private access easement across property Limitations Town of Hudson minimum 1-acre lot size, greater development impact Riverway Overlay Zoning 1962 hexagon Cabin (450 sq.ft)

Parcel 2, photos

Parcel 3, 40 acres Town of St. Joseph minimum 3 acre lot size Meets bluffline mitigation goals for water quality and public recreation Adjacent to county property Potential timber harvest (est. $26,000) Public road frontage Resale potential (if partially paid for with county funding) Positive High-voltage transmission line Old building site to cleanup No shoreline or bluffline Limitations Timber Type 1) Aspen 2) Red Pine 3) Red Pine (sm) Town of St. Joseph minimum 3 acre lot size 21-acres Managed Forest (expires 2041, closed)

Parcel 3, photos

Low-impact Outdoor Recreation Current Use Undeveloped, native oak savannah, MFL, cropland, cabin Possible Use Open Space Scenic Overlook Observation Tower Outdoor Recreation Swimming (river access) Fishing River Wayside-Picnicking Upland Picnicking Multi-season activities snowshoeing Hiking &Limited Biking Hunting/Trapping Bird Watching Geocaching Open Space Protection Water Quality Benefits Protect several ravines from additional erosion by maintaining/restoring upland-native plant communities Proximity St. Croix Crossing Loop Trail Facilities Basic park amenities Parking Bathrooms Permanent vs. Satellite Water Supply-possible Security Lighting-possible Limitations Overhead Power Emergency access to river Service access Shoreline maintenance Handicapped Access to River; Hiking

Land Acquisition Details Purchase Price: $3,200,000 DNR Fund Transfer $1,800,000 Bluffline Mitigation Funds $869,317 Greenspace Mitigation $200,000 WDNR-Stewardship Grant $400,000 Closing Costs Total Non-Levy Funds $3,269,317