Cass County

This listing is produced by the Minnesota State Lottery from information provided by project managers and the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources.  While we attempt to provide the most current information, specific project locations and allocations do change. Information on projects for the current biennium, in particular, should be regarded as preliminary.

Intra-Lake zoning to Protect Sensitive Lakeshore Areas – 2007. Cass County and the Department of Natural Resources are working together to identify sensitive shorelines on area lakes and implement innovative zoning practices to protect water quality and lakeshore habitat.

Land Exchange Revolving Fund for Cass, Aitkin and Crow Wing Counties – 2005-07 biennium. This appropriation will allow three north central counties to purchase environmentally sensitive or isolated land in an effort to prevent inappropriate development. The purchase of land in undeveloped areas precludes development that might require additional public services, and purchase of property adjacent to land already owned by the public results in more efficient land management.  In a unique twist, the cost of this program will be offset by the sale of tax forfeited land to private owners, with the three counties repaying the Trust Fund by 2011.

Development and Rehabilitation of Minnesota Shooting Ranges − 2003-05 biennium. Through this appropriation, 28 recreational shooting organizations and archery clubs across the state received grants from the Trust Fund, along with matching grants from the Minnesota DNR Division of Enforcement, to make improvements to archery ranges and shooting ranges that are available for public use.  In Cass County, the North Mississippi Range Association in Cass Lake received grants to help make improvements to its firearm ranges. Trust Fund Grants were also used to improve the archery facilities at North Star Sportsmen’s in Walker.

Local Water Planning (LWP) Matching Challenge Grants – 2003-05 biennium. The Board of Water and Soil Resources made matching funds available to 21 local government agencies that allowed these agencies to implement portions of their water management plan. Projects ranged from mapping of drainage ditches to erosion control to public education about wetland preservation. Trust Fund grants helped to protect critical habitats and water resources by developing and implementing lake management plans for two lake associations on five lakes in Cass County.

State Park and Recreation Area Acquisition – 2003-05 biennium. Through this appropriation, Trust Fund dollars helped acquire approximately 730 acres of land from willing private owners within the boundaries of three state parks – Crow Wing State Park, George Crosby Manitou State Park and Judge C.R. Magney State Park. Located about 10 miles southwest of Brainerd, Crow Wing State Park grew by 470 acres through the acquisition of four parcels. Most significantly, these acquisitions helped to protect the Mississippi River corridor and scenic views from park facilities. They also helped connect the park to the heavily used Paul Bunyan State Trail.

State Park and Recreation Area Acquisition – 2001-03 biennium. Funding from two sources - the Trust Fund and the Future Resources Fund - was combined for this project to expand our public parks. Crow Wing State Park located in Cass, Crow Wing and Morrison Counties grew by 115 acres and the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area northeast of Brainerd gained 691 acres. In all, more than 1,100 acres were purchased within the boundaries of nine state park and recreation areas from willing private landowners.

Water Recreation: Boat Access, Fishing Piers and Shore Fishing – 2001-03 biennium. The Department of Natural Resources combined this allocation from the Trust Fund with significant help from local partners to develop five public water access sites around the state, purchase three parcels of land to provide new or expanded access, construct two shore-fishing areas and add or modify eighteen public fishing piers.  In Cass County, Trust Fund money was used for a new access site on Mule Lake south of Longville and helped rehabilitate an existing site on Leech Lake.

Lakescaping for Wildlife and Water Quality Initiative - 1999-01 biennium. This Department of Natural Resources’ program helped lakeshore homeowners learn how to use native plants on the shoreline and in the water to enhance wildlife habitat and improve water quality in their lake. With assistance from the Minnesota Lakes Association, the department conducted a series of workshops for property owners and constructed demonstration sites throughout the state. In Cass County, a workshop was held on June 17, 2000, in Hackensack and a demonstration site was completed on Lake Ada.

Local Initiatives Grants Program - 1999-01 biennium. Appropriations from the Trust Fund for this project allowed the Department of Natural Resources to fund the Natural and Scenic Area Grants Program, the Conservation Partners Grants Program and the Environmental Partnerships Grants Program during the biennium. More than 140 different projects across the state were approved for matching grants from July of 1999 through June of 2001.  In Cass County, the Confidence Learning Center on East Gull Lake received a grant to develop interactive wildlife displays for Mariucci Lodge.

Predicting Water and Forest Resources Health and Sustainability - 1999-01 biennium. This project, organized by the University of Minnesota’s Natural Resources Research Institute in Duluth, identified and compiled existing data on forest birds, amphibians, aquatic insects and native plant communities in the Drift and Lake Plains and the Northern Superior Uplands of northern Minnesota. The result is a mathematical model called SUSTAIN that can be used by resource managers to predict future forest ecosystem health and sustainability for northern Minnesota forests.

Public Boat Access and Fishing Piers - 1999-01 biennium. With help from the Minnesota Future Resources Fund and donations from local contributors, Trust Fund money was put to work building and extending fishing piers, developing boat access sites and purchasing land for future access sites. In Cass County, an access site was developed for boaters on Steamboat Lake north of Walker and land was purchased for a future site on Mule Lake south of Longville.

RIM - Shoreland Stabilization - 1999-01 biennium. As part of the Reinvest in Minnesota Program, this project used money from the Trust Fund and other sources to stabilize shorelines on Lakes Winnibigoshish and Lac qui Parle. Lead agency: Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fisheries.  A mile and a quarter of eroding shoreline on the southwest side of Winnibigoshish Lake in Cass County were stabilized with large rock. The design includes access to swimming areas and gravel surfaces to facilitate foot travel. This project had a number of partners including the U.S. Forest Service, the National Forest Foundation, private landowners, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwa, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Cass County and others.

Winter Severity Index for Deer - 1999-01 biennium. With assistance from the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, the Department of Natural Resources used this appropriation to conduct research on the relationship between winter weather and the health of white-tailed deer in northeastern Cass and southwestern Itasca Counties during the winters of 2000, 2001 and 2002. The objective of this research was to determine the feasibility of building a better indicator of when emergency feeding should begin during a severe winter.

Minnesota’s Forest Bird Diversity Initiative - 1999-01 biennium, 1997-99 biennium, 1995-97 biennium, 1993-95 biennium and 1991-93 biennium. Forest birds are key indicators of the health of Minnesota’s forest ecosystem. To address concerns of forest sustainability, the Department of Natural Resources and the Natural Resources Research Institute (at the University of Minnesota, Duluth) launched Minnesota’s Forest Bird Diversity Initiative in 1991. The Initiative’s goal is to develop landscape management tools to maintain the state’s unique diversity of forest birds through long-term monitoring of bird populations, research, modeling and education. This Initiative relies on more than 1,600 bird count locations in Beltrami, Carlton, Cass, Cook, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, Mille Lacs, Olmsted, Pine, Rice, St. Louis, Wabasha and Winona Counties. For more information about this project including other sponsors, visit www.nrri.umn.edu/mnbirds.

RIM - Accelerate Fisheries Acquisition for Angler Access - 1995-97 biennium.  The Department of Natural Resources is buying land and easements along lakes and streams to increase fishing opportunities.  Under this program, .89 acres were acquired at Stoney Brook in southern Cass County.  Lead Agency:  Department of Natural Resources.

RIM Statewide Fisheries Habitat Development - 1995-97 biennium. The Department of Natural Resources undertook projects to acquire, improve or restore fishing habitat. In Cass County, the grant was used to re-establish bulrushes for warm water fisheries habitat.

State Trail Rehabilitation and Acquisition - 1995-97 biennium.  This program seeks to acquire and develop abandoned railroad property for recreational use.  Trails developed under this program are typically used for hiking, biking and horseback riding in the summer and snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in the winter.  In Cass County, the Heartland Trail underwent resurfacing of its bituminous bicycle trail, widening of the trail and replacement of bridge decking.  Lead agency:  Department of Natural Resources.

Water Access - 1995-97 biennium. The Department of Natural Resources will acquire and develop boat access sites, fishing piers and shoreline access. In Cass County, a fishing pier will be constructed at Leech Lake.

RIM Critical Habitat Match - 1993-95 biennium. This program provides matching funds to those who want to buy or improve critical fish, wildlife and native plant habitats in Minnesota. Some of these funds are being used to buy natural areas for scientific study, education and nature observation; others are helping restore waterfowl to their 1970s level. This grant allowed the purchase of 66 acres of forest openings in the Chippewa National Forest.  Lead agency:  Department of Natural Resources.

RIM Statewide Fisheries Habitat Development - 1993-95 biennium. This program improves habitat for trout, walleye and small-mouth bass by building structures in 25 miles of streams throughout the state and installing aerators in lakes prone to winter kill. This grant is for habitat improvements on Stoney Brook.  Lead agency:  Department of Natural Resources.

RIM Wildlife Habitat Stewardship - 1993-95 biennium.  About 29,000 acres of state land is being developed and improved to protect wildlife and native plants.  The Department of Natural Resources is restoring prairies, brush land, forests and non-game habitat while planting and managing native vegetation to enhance hunting, observing nature and education.  In Cass County, the program financed wetland outlet improvements at Drumbeater Lake.

Minnesota County Biological Survey - 1991-93 biennium and 1993-95 biennium.  The Department of Natural Resources is collecting information on plants and animals throughout Minnesota to identify the location of natural areas and rare plants and animals. This information will be used to better manage areas that have native species of plants and animals.  This project has been ongoing since 1987.  Cass County was to be surveyed during 1991-93.  Work continued during the 1993-95 biennium.

Rails-to-Trails Acquisition and Development - 1991-93 biennium and 1993-95 biennium.  This program seeks to acquire and develop abandoned railroad property for recreational use.  Trails developed under this program are typically used for hiking, biking and horseback riding in the summer and snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in the winter.  In Cass County, the county's portion of the Brainerd-to-Bemidji Paul Bunyan Trail was acquired during fiscal years 1992 and 1993 and developed during fiscal years 1994 and 1995.  Lead agency:  Department of Natural Resources.

07/08/09 – TM