MVC to celebrate new land purchase (complete article from source)
Source: WinonaDailyNews.com
August 03, 2009
The Mississippi Valley Conservancy will host a celebration Sunday to mark the purchase of a 55-acre property in the Trempealeau Lakes
area next to the Mississippi River in the village of Trempealeau.
MVC purchased the property, which has a mile of frontage on Second Lake that abuts the state’s Trempealeau Lakes State Fishery Area. In addition to the appeal of the chain of spring-fed lakes for fishing, the area is listed on the Great Wisconsin Nature and Birding Trail. The purchase by MVC increases this local protected habitat to 219 acres.
The previous owners of the land — Jay Hoeschler, Bob Skemp and Joe Becker — made what MVC termed a “significant” donation of property value to make the purchase possible.
According to a press release from the MVC, Becker said the land was part of a larger purchase he made in the late 1950s. He planted 20 acres of pines and used the property for recreation. Part of it was platted, and Skemp, his law partner, bought half interest in the land. Later, when they wanted to market lots from the platted portion of the property, Hoeschler bought a one-third interest.
Sales were brisk, Becker said, until the flood of 1965. Then the area was declared flood plain and building was stopped. Becker said his daughter, Barb Hammes, an MVC board member, was aware the partners were ready to sell the remaining property and suggested contacting MVC.
Cost of the acquisition was $65,500 paid for with $51,500 from the Knowles-Nelson State Stewardship Fund, $14,000 from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the remainder from the value donation by the partners.
George Howe, MVC conservation director, said this is the first land purchased by MVC that has Mississippi River floodplain forest. The village of Trempealeau, the Mount Trempealeau Association and the Lions Club of Trempealeau have offered to work with MVC to restore hiking trails and protect the area. The acquisition provides for fishing, swimming, canoeing and bird watching.
The property is south of Hwy. 35 and the Great River State Trail, and is accessible from Lake Road, Pickerel Road and Bass Road.
The property is located entirely within the Mississippi River-Large River Corridor, identified by Wisconsin’s Wildlife Action Plan as being of “continental significance.”
Becker said the area is “loaded with wildlife” and the lake is full of springs.
The area is available for public use.
Anyone interested in volunteering to help with work, such as boundary posting on the land, should contact Abbie Meyer, MVC conservation specialist, at ameyer@mississipppivalleyconservancy.org or (608) 784-3606, ext. 5.
Click here for complete article from WinonaDailyNews.com
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