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Post by jackc99 on Jan 15, 2008 12:51:26 GMT -5
I'm not all that familiar with the Peabody Coal property in Indiana but I know they are getting ready to sell it off. There's from 8,500 acres to as much as 16,000 acres that IDNR would like to purchase. The Izaak Walton League in association with many of the FWAC partners (Fish & Wildlife Action Committee) is applying for a NAWCA grant to assist. Hopefully as more of you hear about this opportunity you and your local clubs will come forward and help with this purchase. I think they are talking about $2,000 per acre at this point and IDNR has about 1/2 of the money.
Anyone that knows more please chime in.
Jack
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Post by HuntMeister on Jan 15, 2008 17:02:58 GMT -5
Wouldn't that be awesome to add 8k - 16k acres to the list of public lands for Indiana!
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Post by huxbux on Jan 15, 2008 19:08:45 GMT -5
We can't let that one get away.
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Post by stevein on Jan 16, 2008 8:35:21 GMT -5
Is this in addition to property the state already has? Or is it for the state to purchase the property? I hunted Minnehaha in the late 80's and it was great.
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Post by jackc99 on Jan 16, 2008 10:18:50 GMT -5
The Minnehaha property now under state control is leased from Peabody. It will be sold one way or the other. This is an opportunity for the state to purchase what they have under lease now and possibly more depending on how the NAWCA grants and private groups fare in raising the money. In speaking with our regional biologist (Quail Forever) the other day he lamented that Kentucky has already lost 20,000+ acres in the eastern part of that state to Peabody sales. We need to act quickly to get as much of this available land before they offer it to private citizens.
Jack
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2008 18:57:51 GMT -5
i,ll bet most of it will be bought by private individuales thestate could care less
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Post by jackc99 on Jan 16, 2008 19:24:08 GMT -5
The state has already committed ~ 1/2 of the money by using the lifetime license fund money and the Heritage Trust money. They want this and want it badly.
Jack
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Post by mullis56 on Jan 16, 2008 19:36:49 GMT -5
Besides Minnehaha, what are they trying to buy? The Peabody mine right around Minnehaha?
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Post by jackc99 on Jan 16, 2008 20:06:20 GMT -5
I don't have a map of the area and I'm unfamiliar with it. As presented to me there is an 8,500 - 16,000 section in southeastern Indiana that includes the current Minnehaha FWA that is up for sale. They are offering to the state first and if the state can't/won't buy it will be sold privately. I'll see if I can find any info on the website and post it here.
Jack
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Post by mullis56 on Jan 16, 2008 20:17:23 GMT -5
Thanks, Jack. When is your PF banquet? I have gone to it before at the Oak Hill Mansion.....I'm assuming it is the old Kendell Mine that is right by Minnehaha.
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Post by jackc99 on Jan 16, 2008 20:24:41 GMT -5
I'll be posting more info on our banquet in the upland section later but for right now the banquet is scheduled for March 1, 2008 at the Primos Banquet Facility near Ft. Harrison. Oak Hill just got too pricey.
Jack
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Post by huxbux on Jan 16, 2008 22:57:00 GMT -5
So we're looking at somewhere between 8.5 - 16 million dollars in private money. that's a bunch.
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Post by jackc99 on Jan 18, 2008 21:08:55 GMT -5
Big setback, guys....
"We are not going to request a Federal NAWCA Grant for the purchase of Minnehaha."
Therefore we do not need organizations to send partner letters or Dollars to Ducks Unlimited.
If you have sent in partner letters they will be voided. If you sent a check it will be returned.
The reason we are not requesting a Federal Grant is that we just learned that although the Coal Company is selling the property, they are retaining the surface rights to mine all acreages. This prevents a Federal grant for protection and restoration.
The IDNR still wants to purchase Minnehaha. It is evident that much of the property will not be mined because of wetlands or economic. So there is some good news, the price should be less since many forms of development are precluded..
We will likely apply for a different grant within the next 12 months for other habitat.
If final purchase negotiations for. Minnehaha allow some acreage to be purchased with surface rights, we will consider another grant application.
Jack
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Post by Woody Williams on Jan 19, 2008 7:38:58 GMT -5
That is a bummer Jack.
Does Peabody really think they a can get $2,000 an acre and be able to come in and strip/restrip the land after the sale?
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Post by mullis56 on Jan 19, 2008 8:23:12 GMT -5
I can't believe that they'd do that?? I know of some that have purchased from them in the past and they maintain below/non-destructive mineral rights as most property owners do anyway (is they sell mineral rights to xyz company). This is unbelieveable. Keep us in the loop. That is a bummer Jack. Does Peabody really think they a can get $2,000 an acre and be able to come in and strip/restrip the land after the sale?
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Post by duff on Jan 19, 2008 10:14:50 GMT -5
That is crazy...I am with you Woody, no way I can see anyone coughing up 2K per acre with no surface rights. How would buying that land change the current situation with lease with Peabody? Other then a lease that could not be taken away.
I've seen flood plane property go for $600/acre.
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Post by jackc99 on Jan 19, 2008 10:19:20 GMT -5
I just got that email last night so I don't have any details other than all the conservation groups are pulling out of the agreement. Somebody needs to slap Peabody Coal around and get them all back to the table before all this property goes bye-bye.
Jack
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Post by duff on Jan 19, 2008 10:27:40 GMT -5
Agreed!
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Post by 76chevy on Jul 8, 2008 15:05:54 GMT -5
Anybody know the latest details on the states potential purchase of Minnehaha?
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Post by jackc99 on Jul 8, 2008 20:29:11 GMT -5
Last I heard (we have a meeting this week-end) the state is going forward with the purchase of SOME of the Minnehaha property. I hope to know more after Saturday.
Jack
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