Using Lakeshore Conservation Easements as a Cost Effective Method to Protect Fish Habitat

Located in North-central Minnesota, Cass County has over 500 high quality lakes that are critical habitat for fish and wildlife, with several over 10,000 acres in size.  These lakes comprise over half of Minnesota’s naturally reproducing Muskellunge lakes include Leech Lake, Cass Lake and Lake Winnibigoshish.  With a 28% population growth in Cass County between 1990 and 2000, the future of these natural resources is threatened by increasing shoreland development.  In 2008, Cass County did GIS mapping of 55 of the highest quality lakes over 500 acres in the county.  The project identified shoreland parcels with “high conservation potential” and revealed approximately 38% of shorelands in Cass County are still privately owned and undeveloped or large parcels minimally developed.

Using permanent conservation easements, we are targeting landowners of the already identified sensitive, undeveloped shorelands as donors to permanently protect these highest and most sensitive lakeshores in Cass County.  A Land Conservation Specialist works with interested landowners to encourage donation of permanent easements using payment of all closing costs including appraisals, legal and financial advice, and title work as incentives. Costs average about $15,000 per easement. In 2010, Cass County Environmental Services secured 5 donated easements on 557 acres and 11,500 feet of shoreline worth $5.7 million. The average cost was $7.39 per shoreline foot for permanent protection and allowing property to remain on the tax roles versus a current acquisition cost of $1500-$3000 per foot, depending on the lake.  Permanent protection through donated easements can be more cost effective than acquisition of riparian lands or restoration of impaired water quality.  We are currently implementing a project, funded by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resource Trust Fund, to place donated conservation easements on 12-15 riparian properties, protecting 1200-1500 acres of sensitive and priority shorelands in Cass County.  Plans are well underway to expand this program to shorelands in Minnesota outside of Cass County.