Governor Tim Pawlenty made headlines today during his weekly radio show when he fielded a question regarding a proposed State Park on Lake Vermillion in northeastern Minnesota.
The property, which adjoins the Soudan Mine Underground State Park and would create ten miles of undeveloped shoreline between the two parks, has been appraised at a much higher value by U.S. Steel than the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The State is only allowed to offer 12% over its appraised value of the land, and according to Pawlenty, things are at an impasse in spite of the State’s continued interest in the land as U.S. Steel is looking at development options.
Minnesota Public Radio and the Duluth News Tribune covered the story, and you can listen to a full podcast of the Governor’s radio show HERE, on WCCO radio. You can brush up on the history of state negotiations in May and June Wilderness News coverage.