Dunn and Pepin counties are working with a conservation organization to acquire a 6.5-mile section of the Chippewa River State Trail currently owned by Xcel Energy.
“This is an exceptional stretch of this popular trail, and we have a unique opportunity to acquire it for a reasonable price,” said Chase Cummings, Dunn County Conservationist.
The Dunn County Board of Supervisors in June approved a memorandum of understanding, allowing the county to work with Pepin County and Landmark Conservancy to secure a grant that would enable the purchase of the 6.5 miles of the Chippewa River State Trail owned by Xcel Energy in both counties. Pepin County also has approved the MOU.
According to Sarah Schwartz, Siting and Land Rights Manager for Xcel Energy, the land, about 100 total acres, is part of a former rail corridor that runs from Trevino, through the city of Durand, and along the former Tyrone property in Dunn County.
The property “has been under lease by Pepin County since 1999 for the recreational trail,” Schwartz said, and the utility has determined “that these lands are not needed for Company operations,” so the Board of Directors approved the sale.
“We have a strong history in protecting lands and providing recreational opportunities for the public,” Schwartz added.
“The trail is important for Pepin County because it brings bike riders and hikers to our county,” said Maria Nelson, Pepin County Zoning Administrator. The portion of the trail in Pepin County is paved and “provides high quality recreation for local residents,” she added.
According to Xcel Energy, there is about 62 acres for sale in Pepin County and about 38 in Dunn County. Nelson said the county long wanted the land but couldn’t afford it. That’s where the non-profit Menomonie-based group Landmark Conservancy comes in.
Rick Remington, the group’s Executive Director, said it has submitted an application to the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, administered by the state Department of Natural Resources, to assist in obtaining the property.
“Should we be successful in acquiring the bike trail from the seller,” he said, “we plan to convey each part of the trail corridor to Dunn and Pepin Counties respectively.”
“Pepin County has been interested in acquiring the trail within the county limits but has never had the funding to be able to do so,” Schwartz said. “Having Landmark step in is a win-win for all.”
According to the resolution the Dunn County Board of Supervisors approved, the Knowles-Nelson grant would pay for about 50 percent of the appraised value of the land, which is thought to be worth about $4,000 an acre. In addition, Xcel Energy would be willing to sell the property for half of the appraised value, the resolution said.
Cummings said Xcel Energy has been working cooperatively with the two counties “to keep this trail publicly accessible’’ by being "willing to entertain a reduced purchase price based on an expected appraisal. So far, there has been consistent support for this effort.”
Schwartz said that in the past, Xcel Energy “has divested itself of thousands of acres in Dunn and Buffalo counties to groups like Landmark Conservancy and the Wisconsin DNR, ensuring these lands will be protected in perpetuity.”
“Going forward, we’ll continue to conduct the legal, title and financial due diligence in cooperation with DNR grant administrators, Pepin and Dunn Counties, and Xcel Energy,” Remington added.
If the effort succeeds to obtain the trail, Cummings said, the two counties would have to work out an agreement to maintain it. Pepin has been maintaining the trail, and it makes sense for Dunn County to contract with Pepin County for future maintenance, he added.
Cummings concluded: “It is important to recognize the value partnerships bring to projects like this. Without these positive partnerships, projects like this would be much more difficult or potentially impossible.”
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