Minnesota Public Radio has reported that Gov. Pawlenty has announced a deal for the state to $18 million for 10 miles of Lake Vermilion shoreline to create a new state park. The property, owned by U.S. Steel and adjacent to the Soudan Underground Mine State Park, would have been developed for residential lots, if the state park proposal had not come through. I had recently approached someone in the area about submitting a 10 Most Endangered Historic Places nomination for the area. Lake Vermilion is spectacular (and the Stuntz Bay boathouses are really cool)—definitely a place worth preserving for all of us to enjoy. I am relieved that the state park proposal may actually pan out.

More recent coverage on the Lake Vermilion State Park proposal:

Star Tribune editorial, Jan. 21, 2010

Timberjay editorial, Jan. 19, 2010

MPR story, Jan. 15, 2010

Timberjay story, Jan. 14, 2010