Photo: Geranimo via Unsplash.com 

From the US Forest Service - December 18, 2024

The Superior National Forest is issuing a Decision Memo (dated Dec. 18, 2024) that will authorize the purchase of as many as 6,261 acres owned by The Conservation Fund within the proclamation boundary of the Superior NF. The resulting consolidation of federal ownership will promote effective management for recreation opportunities, public access, and other uses and values. Project information can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/superior/?project=66600.

“The purchase of these lands will help in administration of the Superior National Forest and allow for the public to enjoy more opportunities on their lands,” said Tom Hall, Forest Supervisor for the Superior National Forest. “This is one of three land acquisition projects the forest has been working with partners on including the proposed School Trust Lands purchase and proposed State Tax Forfeit Lands in St. Louis County.”

Kim Berns-Melhus, TCF’s Minnesota State Director said, “The project allowed TCF to do what we do best – acquire and manage the land while a lasting solution is developed. We are now ready to move toward direct sale, transferring TCF land in St. Louis County to the USFS, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and St. Louis County in 2025.”

“Working forests help to protect the environmental benefits we depend on every day, like clean water and air. And they support good jobs and vibrant economies by providing us the products we use every day, as well as the homes in which we live,” said Larry Selzer, president and CEO of The Conservation Fund, “Making these working timberlands part of Minnesota’s Superior National Forest will ensure they continue to provide wildlife habitat, sustain local communities and create additional recreation value and access across the state.  We’re incredibly proud of this partnership with the Forest Service that will benefit Minnesotans for generations to come.”

This purchase will consolidate federal ownership of these lands and align with the resource management objectives of the Forest Plan. An interdisciplinary team of foresters, wildlife biologists, heritage resource specialists, soil scientists, fisheries biologists, and realty specialists reviewed the lands and used specialty drones in dense forest areas. A variety of resources and values would be acquired and be available for public and tribal access, such as wildlife habitat, riparian shorelines, wetlands, scenic areas, and more. Details are in the Decision Memo and project page lands list.

Informational web pages are available to ensure the public has access to all relevant materials for this project; see below:

• Superior National Forest School Trust, St. Louis County and TCF Lands Purchase webpage: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/superior/home/?cid=stelprd3835773
• The Conservation Fund Superior National Forest Lands Sale webpage: (https://www.conservationfund.org/our-impact/projects/preserving-minnesotas-treasured-boundary-waters/)

Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

Q:  What kind of background information is available on the $51 million in funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) that has been appropriated for the acquisition of School Trust lands inside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW)?

A: This project is a federal land acquisition case on the Superior National Forest in northeast Minnesota. The funding for this purchase is provided through congressional appropriations associated with the LWCF. The LWCF is funded by receipts from offshore drilling for oil and gas and made available to federal, state, and local governments for land acquisitions that support recreation, clean water, wildlife habitat, and other public benefits. Each year, Congress passes an appropriation within the U.S. Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Act, identifying projects selected for funding, including multiple years of funding for the Superior National Forest and BWCAW Congress appropriated funds in various amounts for the School Trust project from fiscal years (FY) 2017 until 2022.

Q:  How long is the LCWF $50 million available? 

A: Congress strongly encourages agencies to close projects once funds are made available, appraisals are complete, and all parties have entered a purchase option. Appropriations for LWCF projects do not expire but unused funds may be proposed for reprogramming to projects able to be closed.

Q: How will public access be affected on the TCF lands when the Forest Service becomes the land manager?

A: Upon final realty purchase of the lands, the land would become open to the public as National Forest System lands within Superior National Forest and managed per the Forest Plan.

Q: The purchase of up to 6,261 acres of TCF land in this decision is substantially less than the 17,000 acres proposed in August scoping documents. What is happening with the remaining acreage?

A: Currently, the remaining acres are under evaluation for purchase by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and St. Louis County.

Q: When will the implementation of the TCF lands purchase be complete?

A: The Decision Memo for the TCF land purchase is one of the first steps in the process. The timeline for full implementation is expected to take multiple months due steps needed to fully implement and complete the purchase.  The timeline for full implementation is expected to take multiple months due to required realty actions.  These required actions relate to valuation of the subject property, inspections and investigations concerning the environmental condition of the property, and title review and approval.  Ultimately, acquisition of any particular parcel (or acreage) is contingent upon acceptable condition of title and acceptable physical/environmental conditions for the tract.  Completion of the purchase is also contingent upon the availability of appropriated funding. 

Q: What public feedback was received through the scoping process?

A: The Forest Service received comments that view this project both positively and negatively, with most comments demonstrating support for the proposed land purchases. The principal concern over the TCF Land Purchase pertained to some of the 17,000 acres of TCF lands not abutting existing National Forest System land.  See Attachment B for response to these comments (Superior National Forest - Home).