More than 100 acres of private land on Goodrich Lake near Crosslake may gain limited public use and be protected from future development if a conservation easement agreement is reached.
The vote Tuesday, Aug. 24, by Crow Wing County commissioners in favor of the proposal allowed the discussions between the DNR and the Boy Scouts of America to move forward.
At issue is 127 acres of land at the Cuyuna Boy Scout Camp on Goodrich Lake.
Kevin Mott, DNR, said the easement, with specifics that have yet to be ironed out, was being sought to protect the shoreline property from further development.
The Crosslake City Council supported the conservation easement. If the Boy Scouts approve the easement, it would open the property for limited public use, like hiking, walking, bird watching, possible cross country skiing along with bow hunting or trapping with permission.
Currently, the public is not allowed to use the property. The Boy Scouts are expected to retain exclusive rights to the land in June, July and August.
Mott said the proposed use of Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) funds meant county board approval was required to move forward. The RIM program uses money from the sale of critical habitat license plates to preserve habitat, restore wetland or conserve native prairie, for example.
