(Granite Falls MN-) The Minnesota Legislature has passed three measures to facilitate returning Upper Sioux Agency State Park to the Upper Sioux Community of the Dakota. In the Environment Bill, 5 million dollars was approved to facilitate the transfer of the 1400 acres, at no cost to the tribe. The bonding bill includes a quarter million dollars to pay off past improvements at the park, and state officials are required to identify barriers to the transfer and report to the legislature next January. Senator Andrew Lang of Olivia says it still needs the approval of the U.S. Department of the Interior. Lang says giving the park back to the Dakota caught him and others by surprise...
...Lang is concerned returning the land might be setting a precedent. At a meeting in Granite Falls in April, Upper Sioux Community Chair Kevin Jensvold said he has been trying to get the land back for the past 18 years. The Federal Government is requiring the state to purchase the same amount of land and create a new park somewhere else. Lang says there's no guarantee it will be in this area, and losing Upper Sioux will impact the local economy...
...The DNR says Upper Sioux Agency State Park will remain open this summer. Discussions about the land transfer and creation of new park land takes place at the Granite Falls Kilowatt Community Center June 13th and June 28th.
There could be barriers to transferring the land, because federal and state funds were used to make improvements in the park. Some funds may need to be repaid or forgiven.
Legislation requires state officials to identify the barriers and submit a report to legislative committee chairs by Jan. 15, 2024.
In the bonding bill, $250,000 is included to retire bonds used to make improvements in the park in the past. The transportation bill includes $1.2 million to pay for conveying property to the Upper Sioux Community and for road and bridge demolition.
In the omnibus environment, climate and energy appropriations bill, a one-time $5 million appropriation is intended to facilitate the land transfer. The land is to be transferred at no cost to the Upper Sioux Community.