outdoors

this is the sort of project most MN voters envisioned with their "yes" to the tax money -- not using it to replace budgets cut from DNR & land protection programs -- not political gamesmanship under cover of "regional fairness". It's these sort of big money/big idea/long range vision projects that MN needs, not more short term or small, parochial projects that get funded this way because politicians decided to cut the money from elsewhere.

I live in southern Minnesota and may never see this property, but I still think this a great project. Public land acquisition isn't about the government taking land, its about citizens having permanent access to their birthright. Support it.

@aspartz: Natural habitat produces oxygen, cleans and filters rain water and runoff, and is home to wildlife. Without wildlife and natural habitits, everything will die. Are you more concerned about tax money and polluting the planet?

Way overpriced Once again the goverment will pay 10 times what the property is worth It is only worth that much after all the roads sewer and water is put in and then only if you have willing buyers (not that many in this economey)

The development potential of this piece and it's worth are high. Several other points in favor of this acquisition not mentioned by the article: it is adjacent to the fairly large (for rural minnesota) Brainerd airport. This airport is pretty busy and also hosts a forest fire fighting base for air tankers. Development of the land adjacent to it could create problems over the years. Finally--there are many acres of upland forest involved as well--acres that were hunted by the public for many years until potlatch decided to lease it and close it to all but a few individuals. Public hunting would be restored if it is acquired.

It's funny how "for the people" actually means "stay out, hands off, get outta here." Call it what it is, don't call it "for the people."

As long as they don't let ATVs ruin it, I'm all for it!!!

Dang! I wanted to buy a chunk of it a build a big house right on the shoreline.

Minnesota is the 2nd largest land owner in the US. Only the Federal goverment has more land then Minnesota. If this piece is so great pay a fair price not this over valued price. Then sale some property that is not great.

The local ATV'ers are claiming that they have the Crow Wing County board in their pocket and that the board won't endorse the purchase unless they get to ride their nusiance machines throughout the property. Knowing what I know about our current county board they may be right.