Lake Vermilion State Park closer to reality

By Judy Erickson, Government Relations Director

Lake Vermilion State Park is one step closer to becoming a reality this week. The bonding bill (HF2700) signed into law by Gov. Tim Pawlenty on March 15 contains the language needed for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to move forward with acquiring the 3,000 acres along the south shore of Lake Vermilion from U.S. Steel.

The 2008 bonding bill provided for the creation of the park and included an initial appropriation of $20 million for acquisition and development. Language included in session law allowed the DNR to acquire the property from U.S. Steel for up to 12 percent above appraised value.

Unfortunately, the DNR and U.S. Steel had differing appraisals and U.S. Steel would not accept the DNR’s appraisal. This fall Gov. Pawlenty and U.S. Steel reached an agreement that provides a cash payment of $18 million to U.S. Steel and a donation (under federal law) of the remaining $2.3 million by U.S. Steel.
HF2700 removed the 12 percent cap to allow the acquisition to move forward. The DNR will use the remaining $2 million from the 2008 appropriation for preliminary development.

Following acquisition, the DNR will take at least five months to inventory the natural and cultural resources. The natural resources activities will emphasize the flora and fauna inventory on site and identify any species of concern as per usual requirements. Both of these surveys will serve as basic data for any recreational or facility planning that will follow.

After the initial property and resource assessment, there will be pre-planning and engineering work for developments within the park. Generally this consists of site analysis, wetlands evaluation and looking at the potential for water, sewer, road and trail planning. This is basic work that precedes the specific park development plans. Topographical maps and "on the ground" evaluation of corridors for utilities and roads will be the emphasis. All of this is generally a part of an environmental assessment process. This will lead to opportunities for the planning of recreational facilities, both on the land and along Lake Vermilion lakeshore. All management activities will be staged from Soudan Underground Mine State Park and the Tower DNR office, which are adjacent to the park. This will include staff, equipment and resources for the short term.

If the DNR has at least $2 million, this work can proceed. There could be some basic day use developments on site by the late summer of 2011, following the procedures addressed above. If additional funds are available, there will be an emphasis on lake shore protection, day use facilities and initial planning for other features that may come about in the park, including overnight facilities (camping and camper cabins), an interpretive and a park contact office, and the development of a park master plan schedule.