Vermilion park talks could resume
Talks to launch a Lake Vermilion state park are on hold, the state natural resources commissioner told a legislative committee this afternoon.
But Commissioner Mark Holsten said he wants $20 million set aside for land purchase to remain available.
"We are involved in a very delicate business discussion with U.S. Steel," he said. "The timing has to be right for the two parties to be involved in a business transaction."
Gov. Tim Pawlenty made it a priority to establish a Lake Vermilion state park in northeastern Minnesota. U.S. Steel appeared ready to sell off the land it owns for private development, but Holsten said talks may resume.
One factor in the negotiations' suspension is that one part of the Department of Natural Resources is in the midst of making regulatory decisions on a U.S. Steel facility while another part of the department is trying to buy 2,500 acres from the company for the park.
