Once the DNR Division of Parks and Trails takes possession of the U.S. Steel property, what will be the first actions that the Dept. will take as the new owners?
What else will happen this spring and summer?
Have funds been requested from the legislature to develop Lake Vermilion State Park?
How will the park be managed if in fact the purchase goes through with US Steel?
When will people be able to use the new park?
What kind of activities and services will be provided?
When will the park be up and running and open to the public?
How will the park affect the local economy?
What will happen to the boathouses?
Where can I find more information?
There are requirements that are in place for any new acquisition for Parks and Trails. We will work with U.S. Steel on basic survey responsibilities for the property boundaries as required by law. We will get some aerial photos of the property to begin to lay out areas for initial land assessment, make plans for the "on the ground" investigation of cultural and natural resources, and evaluate the features of the property that will need special care and/or concern from a public safety point of view.
We will take at least five months to inventory the natural and cultural resources. We will use our established processes to investigate the cultural history of the area, particularly along the lake, and work with the Bois Forte Band to make sure that we are complying with the needs of the tribe in our work. The natural resources activities will emphasize the flora and fauna inventory on site and identify any species of concern as per our usual requirements. Both of these surveys will serve as basic data for any recreational or facility planning that will follow.
After the initial property and resource assessment, there will be pre-planning and engineering work for developments within the park. Generally this consists of site analysis, wetlands evaluation and looking at the potential for water, sewer, road and trail planning. This is basic work that precedes the specific park development plans. Topographical maps and "on the ground" evaluation of corridors for utilities and roads will be the emphasis. All of this is generally a part of an environmental assessment process. This will lead to opportunities for the planning of recreational facilities, both on the land and along Lake Vermilion lakeshore. All management activities will be staged from Soudan Underground Mine State Park and the Tower DNR office, which are adjacent to the park. This will include staff, equipment and resources for the short term.
If DNR has at least $2M, this work can proceed. We expect some basic day use developments on site by the late summer of 2011, following the procedures addressed above. If additional funds are available, there will be an emphasis on lake shore protection, day use facilities and initial planning for other features that may come about in the park, including overnight facilities (camping and camper cabins), an interpretive and a park contact office, and the development of a park master plan schedule. Private sector firms would be hired to fulfill needs in the planning and engineering activities as well as some project management responsibilities.
DNR staff will pick up the planning activities with the St. Louis County interested parties, the Lake Vermilion Task Force, the Legislature and Minnesota residents in laying out the desires for the park. The 2008 Task Force recommendations were the starting point for meaningful discussions about the scope and scale of park planning and development activities. Critical resources will need protection and careful planning. Staff and consultants will identify opportunities and local and regional needs as the planning process moves forward.
No. The purchase price agreement was just announced and there are no requests for development funds at this time.
Initially all management activities will be staged from Soudan Underground Mine State Park, adjacent to the U.S. Steel land to the west. Other support will come from the DNR office in Tower. There are no specific decisions with regards to park management other than we will look for effective use of our staff and resources in all cases. Future park development costs will be offset by revenue. It will take many years to fully develop the revenue generating portion of the park.
The Legislature appropriated $20 million for the purchase of U.S. Steel land on Lake Vermilion for a state park. The legislation gives the commissioner of natural resources the authority to acquire the lands. Any funds not needed for acquisition may be used for development of Lake Vermilion State Park.
When developed, the park will provide public access to Lake Vermilion and its 40,000 acres of water, 365 islands and 340 miles of shoreline. Lake Vermilion is the fifth largest lake in Minnesota. A state park will give all visitors an opportunity to experience this beautiful lake. This land has the natural and scenic resources to qualify as a state park, and the opportunity to purchase such land from a single landowner is very rare.
Once the purchase agreement is finalized and the state takes ownership, the DNR will provide limited access to these lands for day use while the master plan for park use is being developed.
The DNR created a Commissioner’s Advisory Task Force to help identify the types of activities and services that may be provided at the park. This concept was presented to the Legislature in 2008. Once the land is acquired, DNR will begin a formal process to create a detailed park master plan. In general, the park will have overnight and day use opportunities, access to the lake, and will complement the rich cultural resources of Soudan Underground Mine and the Tower-Soudan area.
It will take about a year to inventory the natural and cultural resources and to develop a master plan. In the interim, once the deal is finalized, we plan to invite the public to hike in the park and see this gem. We also want to hear from the public about what they want to see in this state park.
A recent survey of North Shore resort owners showed that one of the top attractions for their visitors was the opportunity to visit nearby state parks. We expect to have the same partnership with the resorts and businesses on Lake Vermilion. We anticipate that after development, the park would generate over a half million dollars in direct revenue and $8.5 million in local visitor spending each year.
The boathouse area has received National Historic Landmark designation. The DNR will work with lessees to improve the area and provide better access to the lake.
We will have regular updates in the media, and you can always find the latest information on our News page.
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MN Department of Natural Resources
