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August 4,2014 <br /> Bill Becker <br /> Executive Director <br /> Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council <br /> 100 Rev.Dr.Martin Luther King Jr.Blvd. <br /> State Office Building, Room 95 <br /> St. Paul,MN 55155 <br /> Re: Elk River Conservation Area <br /> Dear Mr.Becker: <br /> I write this letter to express the City of Elk River's enthusiastic support for becoming the permanent steward <br /> of the Houlton property at the confluence of the Mississippi and Elk Rivers. Protection of this land has been <br /> a priority for the city for many years given its high natural resource value and sensitive shoreline. <br /> Bob McGillivray of The Trust for Public Land has informed us of the potential opportunity to acquire this <br /> land using funding from the Outdoor Heritage Fund that was previously granted to his organization through <br /> the Metro Big Rivers Partnership. Mr.McGillivray has indicated that the acquisition is contingent on the <br /> Council approving the addition of this land to TPL's parcel list on August 5. We will have two city <br /> representatives at the meeting to answer any questions the Council may have,but we also wanted to assure <br /> you of a few things in writing. <br /> Mr.McGillivray has explained the restrictions and provided us with a copy of the Notice of Funding <br /> Restrictions that come with this funding and we are comfortable with them. <br /> This land will be open to public hunting and fishing and will be managed as natural area promoting habitat <br /> for fish and wildlife. We intend to manage it like Anoka County has managed its two OHF-funded <br /> conservation areas. Our plan is to basically leave this land natural. Specifically,we do not plan to have any <br /> paved trails or roads,or to construct any buildings. <br /> We thank the Lessard Council for considering TPL's requested amendment. If we become the stewards of <br /> this land,rest assured,we will take good care of it. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> John Dietz <br /> Mayor <br />