10.e Arnold Conservation Easement Staff Report
Date of Meeting: July 16, 2024
For: Honorable Mayor and Council
From: Kyle Morell, City Administrator
Subject: Land Protection Project – 16560 220th St N
Background:
Landowner Pam Arnold is seeking to place a conservation easement over her property at 16560
220th St N. in Scandia. The easement would cover approximately 76 acres of land over two parcels.
Washington County is seeking a resolution of support from the City. The conservation easement is
done through the County’s Land and Water Legacy Program in partnership with the Minnesota
Land Trust. The project received support from the Washington County Board at their June 25,
2024 Workshop.
Issue:
Should the City support Pam Arnold’s efforts to place a conservation easement over her property?
Request:
I have attached a resolution of support for the Council’s consideration. I have also attached the
presentation made to the County and the email from the County asking for the City’s support.
Options:
1) Approve Resolution 07-16-24-04 – Supporting a Conservation Easement at 16560 220 th
St N
2) Deny Resolution of Support
Recommendation:
Option 1
Attachments:
Resolution 07-16-24-04 – Supporting a Conservation Easement at 16560 220 th St. N
Workshop Slides for Arnold Conservation Easement
Email from Washington County
CITY OF SCANDIA, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO. 07-16-24-04
SUPORTING THE PLACEMENT OF A CONSERVATION EASEMENT ON
APPROXIMATELY 76 ACRES LOCATED AT 16560 220 TH ST. N.
WHEREAS, the City of Scandia, desires to support projects in its community that protect its
natural features and quality of life, and
WHEREAS, protection of water and shoreline is essential to community health and well being;
and
WHEREAS, having adequate ecological corridors to allow wildlife to move, flourish and remain
in our midst is of inherent value; and r
WHEREAS, Washington County has been approached by a private landowner who would like to
protect 74 acres in the City of Scandia with a permanent conservation easement, to assure it
remains naturally intact and thriving for current and future generations; and
WHEREAS, Washington County purchases land or interests in land to preserve it’s natural
conidition through it’s Land and Water Legacy Program, which has invested over $40 million in
protection and conserved over 1,300 acres of land; and
WHEREAS, the landowner would like to obtain the city’s support in proceeding to be able to
complete the project with the necessary partners; and
WHEREAS, this property contains natural habitat and has very little impervious surface or tilled
area, making it an important parcel for local water quality and habitat; and
WHEREAS, this parcel contains natural features including forest, grassland and two perennial
and intermittent streams which run into the St. Croix River.
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Land Trust has reviewed the property in detail and signaled its
interest in protecting the area with a permanent conservation easement;
NOW, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Scandia supports placement of a conservation
easement over this property located in Scandia, Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District
(Parcel IDs: 0703219330001 and 0703219310001) by the Minnesota Land Trust, Washington
County, or other funding partners.
Whereupon, said Resolution is hereby declared adopted on this 16th day of July 2024.
Christine Maefsky, Mayor
ATTEST:
Kyle Morell, City Administrator
EXHIBIT A - CONTEXT MAP
EXHIBIT B – SITE MAP
Land and Water Legacy Program
Arnold property
Emily Jorgensen –Planning Manager, Office of Administration
County Board Executive Session 6/21/22
County Board Workshop (6/25/24)
2
Purpose
To consider a potential Land and
Water Legacy Program (LWLP)
conservation easement in Scandia
on approximately 76 acres in
partnership the Minnesota Land
Trust (MLT)
Project will be funded by 2024 – 2026 Land and Water Legacy
funding as approved by a budget amendment passed by the
County Board on 5/21/24. This project is eligible for fulfilling
acreage and funding deliverables for a LSOHC grant awarded to
the county in 2022
Parcel IDs: 0703219330001 and 0703219310001
3
Conservation Easements
•One of most effective tools for permanently protecting natural areas
on private property
•A voluntary and legally binding agreement between a landowner and
the County or other entity
•Easements are tailored to address unique characteristics and goals of
the landowner and property and conservation priorities
•Easements can be written to accommodate existing and future
structures and improvements, trails, recreational uses and agricultural
activity
•Land remains in private ownership and a habitat management plan is
developed
•All future landowners are obligated to follow the established easement
terms
4
LWLP Commitment: Lessard-Sams Grant Deliverables
•In 2022, the Lessard Sams Outdoor Heritage Conservation Fund (LSOHC) awarded
$4.288M to the County and the Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) for LWLP projects in
Washington County
•A portion of the grant funding is for conservation easement acquisition in collaboration
with MLT. Deliverables include:
•340 acres of protection
•$720,000 county financial match
•Deadline of June 30, 2026
•This project is eligible for contributions towards the county’s fulfillment of this acreage
and financial match deliverable
5
Project Location
•16560 220th St N in
Scandia
•North-East of the Big
Marine Lake North Top 10
High Priority Conservation
Area
•Within the St. Croix River
Buffer Zone High Priority
Conservation Area
Square
Lake
Big
Carnelian
Lake
Proposed
Project
Big Marine Lake
North Priority
area
6
Project Location
•Directly south of Wind in the Pines
Park
•South-East of Falls Creek Scientific
and Natural Area
•20-acre National Park Service (NPS)
scenic easement along far East
portion of property
Site MapRed line = privately owned
Wind In The Pines Park
Falls Creek
Scientific
Natural
Area
Building
Envelope
NPS Scenic
Easement
Proposed
Project
7
Natural Resource Features and Prioritization
Site MapRed line = privately owned
•Ranks “Very High” for protection according
to LWLP criteria
•Significant portion of the property is
ranked “Very High” for habitat quality
•Contains Natural Communities according
to the Minnesota County Biological Survey
•Contains Regionally Significant Ecological
Area
•Ranked Medium-High and High according
to the Minnesota Wildlife Action Network
•Contains two streams which run into the
St. Croix River
8
Project Scope
•A conservation easement contains
more restrictions than the existing
NPS Scenic Easement, so the
conservation easement will overlap
for further protection
•The portion of land containing the
NPS Scenic Easement does not have
any remaining easement value due to
the existing easement, so will not be
paid for.
•Landowner will continue to reside on
the property within the building
envelope Site MapRed line = privately owned
Building
Envelope
NPS Scenic
Easement
Proposed
Project
9
Proposed Partnership Roles
▪ Staff Time
▪ 60% Financial contribution
▪ Co-Holder of conservation
easement
▪Staff Time
▪40% Financial contribution
▪Co-holder of conservation
easement
Estimated Conservation Easement Value: $268,600 -$671,500
*This value is calculated based upon an estimated market value which includes the “paid for” easement land and building envelope
10
Next Steps
•Finalize Conservation Easement terms
•Seek Resolution of Support from the City of Scandia
•Introduce Parks and Open Space Commission to project
•Project closing anticipated for summer-fall 2024
11
Questions?
1
Kyle Morell
From:Serena Raths <Serena.Raths@co.washington.mn.us>
Sent:Thursday, July 11, 2024 12:07 PM
To:Kyle Morell
Cc:Emily Jorgensen
Subject:Washington County land protection project in Scandia - Follow up on message seeking a resolution of support
Attachments:City Resolution of Support Template - Arnold Conservation Easement.docx; Workshop (6-25-24) Arnold Conservation Easement
County Board Introduction.pdf
Hi Mr. Morell,
I'm writing to follow up on our earlier chat regarding Washington County seeking a resolution of support for a potential land protection project in
Scandia. This is a conservation easement which is being done through the county's Land and Water Legacy Program in partnership with the
Minnesota Land Trust (MLT). The project received support from the Washington County Board via an informational workshop late last month, and
it is a priority for them that it receives support from Scandia as well.
I have attached here a resolution template and a PDF of the PowerPoint which we shared with the County Board during that workshop. As
discussed, this project is nearing closing, so it is ideal for the resolution to be put before the City Council within the next few weeks if possible.
Thanks,
Serena
Serena Raths | Planner I
Office of Administration
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Washington County Office of Administration
14949 62nd Street North, Stillwater, MN 55082
(651)-430-6024
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