DNR Blocked in Land Purchase

The Beltrami County Board of Commissioners is saying no to the DNR.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources wants to buy 6,600 feet of lake shore along Balm Lake in Alaska Township. 

The county board is concerned about losing taxable property to the state while the state is cutting payments-in-lieu-of property taxes.  So, last month they passed a resolution saying there would be no net gain of public lands in the county.

On Tuesday the board denied the DNR's request to buy 153 acres from a private landowner.

Beltrami County Administrator says the DNR could seemingly go ahead, but the board's action might influence decision makers in St. Paul.