DETROIT LAKES, Minn. – White Earth Nation will take over the management of the White Earth State Forest to sustain it well into the future.
White Earth Tribe Chairman Michael Fairbanks said the 160,000-acre state forest was once much larger than it is today, but it has shrunk to its current length as the land has been sold over the years.
“The Tierra Blanca Forest was once huge,” Fairbanks said. “Now it’s part of what it used to be — the DNR sold it. “
“Now, when Americans buy land, they publish it and you can’t hunt or fish on it,” Fairbanks said. “We’re looking to keep them in the hands of the public. “
The White Earth State Forest is divided into three sets (northeast, west, and south) and encompasses parts of Becker, Clearwater, and Mahnomen counties. It is mostly found within the barriers of the White Earth Nation.
A recent bill to transfer ownership of the state forest has met fierce resistance, largely because non-tribal members worry they will lose access to the Tierra Blanca Forest if they hand it over to the tribe.
Fairbanks says that’s not what’s going to happen, and gives up the 2,000 acres of land from the former Potlatch near Lower Rice Lake that White Earth bought for $2 million.
“We agreed to keep it open to the public forever,” he added. “And that’s what we’ve done: it’s not just for the White Earth, it’s for non-members as well. “
He said the White Earth Band would close roads in the White Earth State Forest.
“Look at Height of Land Road and Strawberry Mountain Road (in the Naytahwaush area, Elbow Lake). They are already crossing tribal lands. We never gave permission. But we don’t close them. The good looks of Mother Earth are for everyone. ” he said. There’s nothing on the bill that says we’re denying anyone’s rights, of course not. “
The bill provides for a five-year delay before the tribe takes control.
Meanwhile, White Earth would work on a committee that would be comprised of the DNR and stakeholders from Becker, Mahnomen and Clearwater counties, as well as tribal representatives.
“Anything that wants to be resolved will be dealt with in this committee,” Fairbanks said.
Tribal park lands are well managed and open to tribal and non-tribal members, he said, adding: “There are no barriers in reservation parking lots. “
The White Earth State Forest now offers motorized and non-motorized trails, a jetty, a primitive campground, a fishing pier, a historic site, a resting domain, and control spaces to explore, according to the MNR’s website. It has 65 miles of double-use forest roads and 70 miles of snowmobile trails.
Fairbanks noted that White Earth is well-equipped for the state forest.
“We’re a state within a state,” he said. We have our own fisheries, we have our own forestry, we have our own game wardens and we patrol all of this. Citizens of Detroit Lakes, Becker County, Clearwater County, and Mahnomen County can relax. We don’t do (restrictive) registrations, it’s open to everyone.
The factor of existing bills instead of state taxes on local governments will be worked out in committee, and schools that accept the land will remain innocent when the land is transferred, Fairbanks said.
“I bet in a year or two this will be seen as a positive,” he said. “For the state of Minnesota to return this forest to its rightful owners is a cure for us and for the state of Minnesota. »
On Thursday, DFL-Moorhead Sen. Rob Kupec and DFL-Hermantown Sen. Grant Hauschild had this to say about the White Earth State Forest lands proposal:
“We have made our opposition to this legislative proposal transparent to our constituents and colleagues in the Legislative Assembly. We believe that interested parties prefer to explore those options.
“However, public land transfers will have to go through a rogue procedure with the Ministry of Natural Resources, tribal nations, local network leaders, and other mandatory parties to ensure the most productive end results for all involved.
“There are many unanswered questions regarding this bill, which is why it came before committee and will not pass the Senate this year. Contrary to all unfounded rumours, our positions have not changed. “