03-19-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--March 19, 2001 2257 Sheriff Donald Rudnick received on March 13, 2001. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. ,.--. 9. CONTRACT APPROVAL, North Dakota Deoartment ofTransoortation MOTION, passed Mr. Wagner moved and Mrs. Schneider seconded to approve the following contract submitted by respective department head subject to state's attorney approval, and authorize the chairman to sign: North Dakota Department of Transportation for construction and maintenance agreement and a right-of-way certification letter for a bridge on the Wild Rice River, one mile east of St. Benedict. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 10. U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE, Prooosed land acauisition in Eldred Townshio Stuart Wacker, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, provided the secretary with an original letter from Dean C. Hildebrand, Director, North Dakota Game & Fish Department, concerning the proposed acquisition by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service of 15.08 acres of abandoned railroad right-of-way located in Section 9, Eldred Township. The property is owned by the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railroad Company and is bounded on both sides by an existing Waterfowl Production . Area located near Alice, North Dakota. An environmental assessment report was also provided to the Commissioners, and the Fish & Wildlife Service is waiting for comments from the Cass County Planning Commission to be included as a part of that report. Mr. Wacker explained the procedure to be followed, according to North Dakota Century Code Section 20.1-02-18.1. Today, the County Commission is being asked to schedule a public hearing on the proposed acquisition of said property, and the Century Code specifies what must be contained in a notice to be published in the official county newspaper once each week for two successive weeks. The County has 21 days, from today's date, in which to physically inspect the proposed acquisition area. Frank Klein, Tax Director, was designated to inspect it. David Strand, President of the Cass County Wildlife Club, said his group supports the proposed acquisition because they have had a number of projects at the Alice Wildlife Production Area. There is interest in developing this additional acreage for handicapped-accessible wildlife viewing and hunting trails. ,...... Birch Burdick, State's Attorney, asked what happens if the Commission does not send its recommendation to the Governor within 60 days, as required in the Century Code. A tentative hearing date of April 16'h had been discussed, with a recommendation to the Governor being decided atthe May 21s' meeting. Mr. Wacker said other counties have gone beyond the 60-day time limit in sending a recommendation to the Governor without any consequences. He said his agency would not press the issue of time. MOTION, passed Mrs. Schneider moved and Mrs. Sorum seconded to schedule a public hearing at 9:30 AM on April 16, 2001, in Casselton, North Dakota, for the proposed acquisition by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service of 15.08 acres in Eldred Township for a Wildlife Production Area. Motion carried unanimously.