8a. NPS Letter_ Remodel at 16970 St. Croix Trail N United States Department of the Interior
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
St. Croix National Scenic Riverway
401 North Hamilton Street
Saint Croix Falls, WI 54024
In Reply, Refer To:
1.A.1. (SACN)
April 2, 2021
Nancy Staub
458 17th Avenue W
Spokane, Washington 99203
Re: Tract LOSA 07-188 and 07-189
Dear Ms. Staub:
Thank you for reaching out to me through your builder, Mark Holloway, with your proposal of
making modifications to your cabin located at 16970 197th Street N, City of Scandia, Washington
County, Minnesota (Parcel ID’s #3003219130003, 3003219130041, 3003219130025,
3003219130023) on February 11, 2021. Your property is within the boundary of the St. Croix
National Scenic Riverway (Riverway). The National Park Service (NPS) owns a “Scenic Easement
– Limited Development” interest, as described in Warranty Deed Document #362264, recorded in
the Office of County Recorder, Washington County, Minnesota. This legal document outlines land
use restrictions and requires approval by the NPS on specific activities so that the Riverway scenic
resources located on your property are preserved and protected. The encumbered property is
identified by Tract numbers LOSA 07-188 and 07-189.
According to the Wayne Branum Design Studios design plans dated January 5, 2021 you propose to
remodel the interior of the existing cabin, repair and replace some windows, doors, and screens, and
repaint the exterior in a similar brown as the existing cabin. Based upon your plan submission and a
review of the scenic easement, we believe your proposal is permissible under the terms of the scenic
easement. The use of brown and other earth-tones on all exterior building materials will ensure that
this structure will have minimal impacts to the scenic qualities of the Riverway.
Our approval of this project is contingent upon your compliance with other applicable land use
controls as required by the easement. It in no way evaluates the merits of the project in relation to
local, county, or state regulations, and thus does not preclude or supersede any actions by those
units of government. Therefore, you must comply with any additional land use controls or
requirements of the City of Scandia, copied on this letter.
If you have any questions, or if the submitted plan changes, please contact me at 715-483-2261 or
via email at laura_hojem@nps.gov. Plan changes or alterations may require additional review by
the NPS. Thank you for the very important role you play in helping to protect the St. Croix and
Namekagon Rivers for present and future generations. The choices you make on your property are
important ones that can enhance water quality and wildlife habitat and protect scenic views.
Working with NPS staff on all alterations, prior to implementation, will ensure the projects will
maintain the wild and scenic quality of the Riverway, now and in the future. Your cooperation in
the compliance with the terms of the scenic easement is also appreciated.
Sincerely,
Laura L. Hojem
Lands Program Manager
cc:
Ken Cammilleri
City of Scandia Administrator
14727 209th St. N.
Scandia, MN 55073
k.cammilleri@ci.scandia.mn.us
Dan Scollan
Washington County Hydrologist - interim
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
1200 Warner Road
St. Paul, MN 55106
daniel.scollan@state.mn.us