Blandin Paper and DNR sign agreement to protect Upper Mississippi forest
Blandin Paper and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources have signed an easement agreement on 187,277 acres of Upper Mississippi River forest land, permanently providing public access for hunting and fishing and restricting development on the paper company land.
The state slated $36 million towards the purchase with private coffers providing an additional $9 million.
State dollars will come from the recently passed constitutional amendment slating a state sales tax increase to the outdoors and the arts.
“We now have a binding agreement for the perpetual protection of some of the state’s largest public access recreational lands,” said DNR Commissioner Mark Holsten. “The size and scope of the Upper Mississippi Forest makes it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and an ideal use of legacy funding. The easement is a smart investment that will protect Minnesota’s Great Outdoors for our children and grandchildren.”
Local lawmakers, including Rep. Denny McNarama, R-Hastings, were pushing for the easement purchase last session.
