Important notice for visitors to the Courthouse in Duluth: effective Monday, March 30, the 2nd Street entrance will be closed to the public. Visitors may enter the building through the main entrance off the Civic Center/Priley Drive or via the skywalk from the 3rd Street ramp.  
Land and Minerals Guiding Policies
 
 

Environmental Policy

St. Louis County, through its Land and Minerals Department, will manage State Tax Forfeited Trust Lands, County Fee Lands and Undivided interest lands to provide an optimal combination of available resources for the sustained benefit of the people of St. Louis County by establishing practical resource management programs based on responsible stewardship and sustainability.

 
To achieve this, we will, in accordance with 2022 Sustainable Forestry Initiative © Standard:
  • Implement and maintain an internal management system that provides the framework for our resource management programs for Forest Productivity and Health and meet sustainable forestry management objectives.
  • Establish management practices that minimize and where possible prevent negative impact to the environment and protect Biological Diversity, Water Resources and Special Sites.
  • Manage visual impacts and provide recreational opportunities to the public.
  • Recognize and respect the tribal rights of Indigenous Peoples.
  • Incorporate Climate Smart Forestry into our operations.
  • Manage the resource to limit the susceptibility of the resource to undesirable impacts of wildfire.
  • Comply with all applicable laws and regulations and follow any other requirements and guidelines to which we subscribe.
  • Incorporate research and technology into our operations.
  • Ensure that employees and others who work on our lands are qualified and trained to conduct the activities for which they are responsible.
  • Solicit stakeholder feedback so our plans and activities continue to provide for the sustained benefit of our communities and resources.
  • Communicate our performance to the St. Louis County Board, our employees and stakeholders.
  • Continually improve by monitoring what we do and use the results to identify where changes to management and operational practices are warranted.
 

Statement of Operational Commitments

 

St. Louis County Land and Minerals Department will implement and maintain an environmental management system that provides the framework for our resource management programs and meets sustainable forest management objectives as established by the 2022 Sustainable Forestry Initiative®.

 
The Land and Minerals department’s primary goal is to minimize and prevent damage to the environment rather than trying to redress environmental impacts after the fact. We will meet this goal through:
  • Maintaining our environmental management system.
  • Commitment to the objectives and performance measures as defined by the 2022 Sustainable Forestry Initiative.
  • Protect the integrity and longevity of State Tax Forfeited Trust Land forests, County Fee lands, and Undivided interest lands where the Land and Minerals Department holds partial interest.
  • Implement the Minnesota Site-Level Forest Management Guidelines during all management activities.
  • Adhering to all applicable laws and regulations.

While:

  • Providing financial return to the County and taxing districts
  • Performing public services through access to public lands
  • Maintaining and improving forest health and productivity
  • Land asset management including land sale
  • Providing raw material for local industry
  • Providing opportunity for tourism and recreation
  • Protecting wildlife habitat, soil resources and water quality
  • Providing scientific research; and
  • Supporting sound resource management.

The Land and Minerals Department is dedicated to the long-term management of the Tax Forfeited Trust for the economic, social and ecological benefit of the people of St. Louis County.

 

Indigenous Peoples

Recognize and respect the extraordinary rights of and solicit correspondence with the Indigenous Peoples of our area to build stronger relationship and to ensure our management plans constructively consider the unique cultural concerns and uses of the lands we manage by these people groups.

Statement of Operational Commitments

The St. Louis County Land and Minerals department recognizes and supports the unique status of the area’s Indigenous populations, most namely, the Minnesota Tribal Nations and their right to existence, self-govern, and possess self-determination.

1854 Treaty

The Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, both of whom are represented by the 1854 Treaty Authority as well as the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa hold special and unique hunting, fishing, and gathering rights under the Treaty of La Pointe, 1854.

A large portion of St. Louis County and the lands managed by the Land and Minerals Department fall within the 1854 Treaty Area.

Tribal Reservations

The Boise Forte and Fond du Lac Bands of Lake Superior Chippewa have reservation boundaries within St. Louis County. These are considered sovereign Ojibwe nations. The Land and Minerals Department manages land within reservation boundaries.

Timely and consistent consultation between the Land and Minerals department and the Bois Forte Band, Fond du Lac Band, and the 1854 Treaty Authority provides better understanding for all and ensures input and concerns are considered in land management.