PROJECT TITLE: Minnesota State Parks and State Trails In-holdings I. PROJECT STATEMENT Acquire top priority in-holdings within legislatively established boundaries of Minnesota's 75 State Parks and Recreation Areas and 26 State Trails from willing sellers. This proposal is an investment in the future, fulfilling legislative direction to acquire parcels from willing sellers within legislatively defined State Parks, Recreation Areas and Trails systems. This project will protect and enhance Minnesota's environment and natural resources, promote positive economic impacts and increase outdoor recreation opportunities for all Minnesota citizens and visitors. Each State Park, Recreation Area and State Trail has a master plan. These plans include public, county and other local jurisdiction input; and they define desirable land to be included within legislatively defined boundaries and alignments. These parcels represent unique landscapes and natural resources for the benefit of the public statewide. In addition to preserving and protecting Minnesota's natural resources and cultural heritage, these projects also generate positive local economic impacts created by enhanced recreation and tourism opportunities. Most Minnesota State Parks and Trails in-holdings are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Interested willing sellers often have a vision to include their family's treasured property as a part of a State Park or Trail for the public to enjoy their land into perpetuity. If funding is unavailable to pursue an acquisition, the property is at risk to be subdivided, developed or taken off the market for decades. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MnDNR) has identified and ranked each parcel within legislatively defined boundaries and alignments for State Parks and Trails. The MnDNR maintains, reviews and annually updates a general statewide priority list of willing sellers. Potential projects are analyzed using investment criteria established in the DNR Parks and Trails System Plan. If an acquisition listed on the project workplan is not successful, MnDNR will request a LCCMR workplan amendment to include the next priority State Park, Recreation Area and State Trail acquisition. II. PROJECT ACTIVITIES AND OUTCOMES Activity 1 Title: Glendalough State Park, In-holding, Otter Tail County, ~155 acres Description: Protect over 2,200 feet of Blanche Lake shoreline and over 700 feet of pristine creek frontage with abundant emergent and aquatic vegetation. The forested area contains high quality oak stands contiguous with the State Park. This area is located in a major migratory corridor for forest birds and waterfowl. There is also potential for additional public recreational opportunities through expansion of the State Park hiking trails. ENRTF BUDGET: $ 1,000,000 Outcome Completion Date 1. Acquire ~155 acres within Glendalough State Park boundary June 30, 2023 Activity 2 Title: Tettegouche State Park, In-holding, Lake County, ~18 acres Description: Conserve 650 feet of Lake Superior shoreline and preserve the famous views from Palisade Head. This property is the largest private in-holding identified as the "Palisade Coast" in the State Park management plan. The property also contains the mouth of and nearly 1,500 feet of the designated trout stream "Palisade Creek". This property also contains many unique plant communities, rare plant and animal species and significant geologic features that qualify Palisade Head for inclusion in the Minnesota Natural Areas Registry. ENRTF BUDGET: $ 1,000,000 Outcome Completion Date 1. Acquire ~18 acres within Tettegouche State Park boundary June 30, 2023 Activity 3 Title: Tettegouche State Park, In-holding, Lake County, 146 acres Description: Preserve and protect over 1,300 feet of undeveloped shoreline and high quality northern hardwood tract. Reduce fragmentation and secure contiguous park-like experiences from possible future development pressure. Potential for backcountry hiking trail through hardwood forest with views of Lax Lake and Cedar Creek Valley. The County Biological Survey ranks the property as Outstanding Biodiversity. ENRTF BUDGET: $ 1,000,000 Outcome Completion Date 1. Acquire ~166 acres within Tettegouche State Park boundary June 30, 2023 Activity 4 Title: Legislatively Authorized State Trails Description: Acquire high priority in-holdings along legislatively authorized State Trails from willing sellers statewide to fulfill master plans throughout the State of Minnesota. Potential high priority parcels include in-holdings in the following locations: Gitchi Gami State Trail - Lutsen Trailhead, Gitchi Gami State Trail - Community of Tofte, Blufflands State Trail-City of Preston to Forestville-Mystery Cave State Park, Goodhue-Pioneer State Trail. ENRTF BUDGET: $ 2,000,000 Outcome Completion Date 1. Acquire ~20 acres of in-holdings along Legislatively Authorized State Trails June 30, 2023 III. PROJECT PARTNERS AND COLLABORATORS: Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota IV. LONG-TERM IMPLEMENTATION AND FUNDING: The long-term implementation goal is to acquire priority in-holdings within State Parks, State Recreation Areas and State Trails as identified in each master plan. The Parks and Trails Division maintains an active priority parcel list of potential acquisitions to pursue, based on available funding sources. The restoration parcel list and activity items may be modified to add parcels if the status of a parcel changes, or if negotiations are unsuccessful. V. SEE ADDITIONAL PROPOSAL COMPONENTS: A. Proposal Budget Spreadsheet B. Visual Component or Map C. Parcel List Spreadsheet D. Acquisition, Easements, and Restoration Requirements F. Project Manager Qualifications and Organization Description