NEW ULM – The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) area wildlife management was excited for the county commissioners to accept a proposed land acquisition of 36.1 acres of land in the Mulligan township near Wood Lake for inclusion in the DNR’s Wildlife Management Area (WMA).

Brown County DNR manager Jeff Zajac said the land is mostly cropland and is surrounded on three sides by cropland, but there have been multiple issues with the watershed in this area.

Assistant DNR regional wildlife manager Joe Stangel said the property has been the subject of a fair amount of controversy due to flooding.

“During flood events in and around the Wood Lake watershed, it ends up having a gigantic gully blown across it, causing substantial damage to the property itself and the township road, which is immediately north of the property,” Stangel said. “A few areas in Wood Lake, the water actually jumps a watershed and runs into another county ditch, doing damage.”

Stangel and other Brown County officials have been working on these watershed issues as part of the Wood Lake task force. He said acquiring the land would be extremely helpful in addressing some of the issues.

“We’re pretty excited,” Stangel said. “Acquiring this property eliminates some issues, but also gives us some future flexibility to deal with some of the flooding going on in this watershed.”

Commissioner Jeff Veerkamp favored placing the land in a WMA. He said with the amount of problems facing the land, he believed placing it in a WMA was the best option and made the motion to approve the DNR land acquisition.

Commissioner Brian Braun seconded the motion. He said the property had created problems for neighboring property owners and this could help solve some issues.

The resolution was unanimously approved by the board.

The yearly payment in lieu of taxes for the property is $3,075 for the first five years. After the first five years, the county would determine what the payment in lieu of taxes is for the property. Zajac said the DNR payment is based on the appraised value for the land.

WMAs are open to the public for hunting, trapping, wildlife watching, photography, hiking and wildlife related recreation.