9.a Discussion on proposed MnDNR acquisitions to add land to Crystal Springs SNAProposed DNR acquisitions to add land to MV1
Crystal Spring Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) OE PAR TMENT OF
RAI URALAElOUAC[S
Crystal Spring SNA is a 38 -acre parcel located to the east of
Trunk Highway 95, and west of the railroad track that runs along
the western shore of the St. Croix River. It contains a seasonal
stream and waterfalls, a chasm contain moist cliffs with seeps,
seepage swamps, a grotto, upland deciduous forest and mixed
pine/hardwood forest. Much of this site has Exceptional Natural
Resource Value.
We request county board approval for adding two additional
parcels and designating them as part of the Crystal Spring SNA.
They include:
Lerdal Parcel — North of and adjacent to the current
parcel (with a small access road running between the two
parcels) this consists of 20.98 acres of Red Oak —
Basswood Forest, and Red Oak — White oak (sugar
Maple) Forest. Where there is Jordan Sandstone the wet
conditions support Black Ash — (Red Maple) Seepage
Swamp.
Zavoral Parcel — South of and adjacent to the original
parcel, this approximately 60 acre piece will provide
better public access to the SNA, and permanently protect land to the north, east and south of the
current solar garden. This parcel will also help protect Zavoral creek from agricultural runoff. The
parcel includes similar plant communities to the Lerdal parcel with the addition of some reconstructed
prairie and old agricultural fields. Rare features include Louisiana Waterthrush, Red -shouldered
Hawk, Butternut Trees and Ginseng.
Scientific and Natural Areas (SNAs) are part of the state Outdoor Recreation System created by the
Minnesota Legislature. To date there are 168 SNAs statewide, including 5 in Washington County:
■ Crystal Spring (38 acres) in Scandia
■ Falls Creek (136 acres) in Scandia
■ Grey Cloud Dunes (237 acres) in Cottage Grove
■ Lost Valley Prairie (320 acres) north of Hastings
■ St. Croix Savannah (148 acres) in Bayport
The purpose of SNAs is to protect the best of Minnesota's remaining natural heritage such as rare species,
native prairies, old-growth forests, and significant landforms and geologic features. The SNA Program's goal is
to ensure that rare features persist in each region of the state. Additional information on scientific and natural
areas may be found on the SNA website at www.dnr.state.mn.us/snas.
Public uses of SNAs vary with each site. Typically, nature observation, education, scientific research, and other
non -motorized recreation are allowed. Hunting is not allowed in Crystal Spring SNA as the site has very steep
terrain with vertical cliffs and erodible soils. Visitors are welcome to hike the area or visit by other means of
foot travel, such as skis and snowshoes, however caution should be exercised in areas of seeps, steep slopes or
rock faces. Slopes are slippery, and foot travel can be potentially hazardous to visitors and sensitive vegetation.
In order to protect the site's natural features, activities not allowed on this SNA are camping, campfires,
trapping, damaging vegetation, bikes, or motorized recreation.
PILT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) is calculated from the sale price of the property and is re -calculated every 5
years based on county land appraisals. Based on our sale appraisal of the land the PILT payment to the county
will be:
Zavoral addition: Estimated PILT on the land to be acquired will be $2,700.00/year. It is difficult to say
exactly what the current taxes are on this land because the land to be acquired does not follow current
tax parcel lines—there will be several tax parcel splits. Further, the landowner is keeping some of the
more valuable ground (including the land on which the solar garden sits and land next to the highway).
Lerdal Addition: Estimated PILT will be $1,500.00/year. In 2018 the county is receiving $888.00 in
taxes.
The statutes governing PILT are MS 477A.11 to 477A.14. More information on PILT can be found on the PILT
pM,e of the DNR website at hqp://www.dnr.state.nm.us/aboutdnr/legislativeinfo/gilt/index.html or by contacting
Susan Damon, DNR Division of Lands and Minerals, 651-259-5961.
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