Minnesota Department of Natural Resources North East Regional Director Clarissa Spicer was on hand at last week’s Lake County Board meeting to share an overview of what the DNR has been working on and to talk about projects that are on the horizon for the Lake County DNR.
Spicer is relatively new to the position of North East Regional Director. She came to the Board to introduce herself and has worked for the DNR in the areas of timber harvesting and fire suppression for the past 19 years. In her current role, she oversees the Division of Parks and Trails, covering destinations in Lake County like Gooseberry Falls, Split Rock Lighthouse, Tettegouche State Park, and the Gitchi-Gami State Trail, among others. The scope of her work also covers wildlife and fisheries, as well as ecological and water resources. The DNR manages nearly 200,000 acres in Lake County, most of which is forestry land that is actively managed for timber harvest. Lake County manages an additional 150,000 acres of land, totaling 350,000 acres of land that the DNR and Lake County work together on. Highlights of work that the DNR has been doing recently include new access steps at Stewart River, a new Manitou River bridge, hazard tree removal and new bike racks at Agate Bay, work maintaining the Gitchi-Gami State Trail, re-decking several bridges, removing encroaching Aspen trees along area trails, and replacement of safety fencing. This winter, the DNR will be working on the Silver Bay Marina, designing a new dock that will include 20 slips. They will also be monitoring fish habitat along the Knife and Stewart Rivers to study seasonal movement and the impacts of climate change on fish populations. There is ongoing work with Lake Superior Fisheries, which saw a record lake trout catch in 2024. 93% of those fish were wild, indicating that the fishery is in good shape. The work of the DNR to ensure that recreational spaces are well-maintained and that we continue to have healthy rivers, streams, lakes, and fish habitats is an essential part of what makes Lake County a great place to live, work, and recreate.
The Board also conducted a public hearing on proposed property tax abatement for the housing project known as North Shore Flats, which will provide 75 units of workforce housing on 5 acres of land located near Omtvedt Boulevard and 15th Street in Two Harbors. Readers are likely aware of the problems that the lack of housing in the area has placed on the local economy, and the construction of North Shore Flats promises to begin to address that problem. Chamber of Commerce President Janelle Jones has indicated that the need for housing has placed a significant burden on area businesses, which are unable to hire staff due to the lack of viable housing options for applicants. Aspirus Lake View Hospital, LaBounty, the Lake Superior School District, and other area businesses have also voiced hope that substantial housing relief is on the way.
Vision Inc, who will develop and build the project, is committing money to the project to the tune of $15,386,099. The Lake County HRA has contributed $1 million to the project, and IRRR has awarded a housing grant of $850,000 to the effort. The Board voted to pass a resolution of support for money from the Lake County Housing Trust Fund to go toward the project, and they also approved a resolution to use tax abatement financing for the development. Sight preparation for North Shore Flats is expected to begin this winter, with construction beginning in the Spring.
