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ver <br />13065 Orono Parkway <br />Elk River, MN 55330 <br />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 />Phone: 763.635moo <br />Fax: 763.635.1090 <br />www.EJkRlverMN.gov <br />[IF14ATUREI <br />