Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1935-06-13
FORESTS WON'T
TAKE FAR N s
State Conservation Commits
sioner Says Some Have
Wrong Impression.
Isolated Farmers May Want
to Move to Better
Locations.

There has been considerable appre-
hension on the part of residents of
the northeastern section of Pine
county in regards to the establishment
and creation of state forests. Some
have had the idea that their lands
would be taken from them by the
state and others have vague ideas as
to the proper Interpretation of the
law.
In an effort to explain the action
in regard to the state forest project
in Pine county this newspaper re-
quested an explanation from the State
Department of Conservation. The fol-
lowing letter received from E. V. Will
lard, is self-explanatory and anyone
being in doubt as to further provis-
ions contained in the law may feel
at ease to write to Mr.. Willard and
he has promised to explain whatever
part is in doubt.
The Commissioners Letter.
State forests are established in
areas where lands are primarily
suited for conservation purposes as
against agriculture apd where extern
sive areas of land have ceased to pay
taxes and are largely tax delinquent.
The areas are generally designated
and the boundaries described by the
Department of Conservation in dis
ltricts where forestation and general
conservation promotion can be car
ried on and where the lands are pri-
| ril II
is not unusual however, for represen-
tatives in the legislature and sports
mems organizations and other con-
servation groups to sponsor state for
ests in areas in which they are in
lterested.
Laws 1888, Chapter 419 created
the first thirteen state forests. Laws
1885, Chapter 372 added thirteen adj
ditiOnal state forests in addition to
extending the areas of three of those
created by the legislature Of 1888.
A full understanding of the purposes
to be accomplished and the limita-
tions surrounding the acquisition of
land within, and the management Of
state forests can only be had by first
laws SudptCI luC
provisions of which are included by
reference in laws 1885. chapter 372.
Without going into lengthy discus
siOns the following conditions and
> stipulations relative to state forests
are contained in the statutes.
l. Lands must be suited primarily
for conservation purposes.
2. No lands except for administra-
tive uses may be acquired by
purchase or condemnation within
state forests unless they have
, been tax delinquent three years
: and longer.
3. Before title can be acquired by
5 the state to any parcel of land
purchased or taken by condem-
nation, settlement must be made
: with the county for taxes due.
t The pro rata share of all out
D standing indebtedness for which
such lands are chargeable in
whole or in part shall be paid
/ to the county treasurer wherein
: such lands are located.
t 4. The only funds made available
W tnC l/Cpdi tluCHl VI a.
4 ton from which to acquire lands
n within state forests. except small
e parcels Of Land for administra-
e tive uses, are monies which the
Conservation Commission may
appropriate from the socalled
Public Hunting Ground and
Game Refuge funds of the Divis-
ion of Game and Fish and from
, the income which may accrue to
the department from the manage
ment of the forest itself.
: 5. Laws 1893, chapter 313 provides
that 500 OF the gross receipts
! from state forests shall be paid
;. into the county treasury OF the
county within which such forests
I are located to be distributed by
the county treasurer among Tire
various funds of the county.
] townships and school districts
2 "on the same basis as If such
payment had been received as
taxes on such lands payable in
the current year"
Owners Won't Lose Farms
\ ut Is not clear to me how the
2 farmers in your vicinity could have
gained the impression that they are
: going to lose their farms" No au-
thority is granted anywhere in the
: laws Of the state for the Department
. of Conservation to interfere with any,
= ones operation Of his farms so long
as it is done with due regard to the
J prevention Of fires and the observ-
{ ance Of other general laws. This
applies not only to land owners liv-
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