By Richard Crawford

One of the rarest environmental areas in the state — a calcareous fen located in southern Chanhassen – is on the verge of being acquired by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

The DNR has a purchase agreement with the landowners for about 106 acres of the Seminary Fen property, which environmental groups have wanted to purchase for protection for several years.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to protect a one-of-a-kind site,” said Peggy Booth, a DNR supervisor who discussed the pending purchase with Carver County officials Tuesday.

Seminary Fen is located on about 160 acres on the Chanhassen/Chaska border. According to the DNR, Seminary Fen is among the rarest and highest quality calcareous (kal-kar-e-ous) fens in the United States. It is the result of a geological marriage between highlands and lowlands.

A fen is created as limestone at the bottom of a slope or bluff enriches cool groundwater with calcium and magnesium, which seeps through springs and into soils. As plants die, they break down slowly in the oxygen-poor water and become a spongy layer of peat on top of the soil.

The mineral-rich water creates habitat for wildlife and is suitable for rare plant life. According to a 2007 DNR ecological evaluation of the property, there are seven rare native plants and five that are state-listed threatened species.

The stream that can support trout is also located on the property, although only two trout were recorded in a 2002 survey.

The state has been interested in acquiring the property for more than 10 years to help protect the rare wetland. 

In 2002, the state Legislature earmarked $2 million to acquire the property from the current property owners. But that action was later vetoed by Gov. Jesse Ventura. A year later, the Legislature secured $1.5 million in a bonding bill approved by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. With the help of additional funding from the city of Chanhassen, and conservation groups, landowner Emerald Ventures LLS was offered $2.145 million in February 2004. Emerald Ventures denied the offer, saying it wasn’t enough. Shortly thereafter, the Sierra Club listed Seminary Fen as an imperiled open space

However, the recent agreement was reached after the landowners proposed a smaller land sale of the most environmentally significant part of the fen.

According to the DNR, the purchase will be for less than $1.5 million, although the exact price wasn’t released.

The DNR intends to designate 73 acres as a scientific and natural area and 33 acres would be designated as part of the adjacent Raguet Wildlife Management Area.

Booth said the DNR is expecting to close on the property in May and a dedication could potentially occur in June.

She said part of the property would be open to walking, exploring and other opportunities. The current focus is restoring the property to its natural state. This week, DNR crews were removing buckthorn and other non-native trees from the property.

In the future, Booth said the DNR would look at potentially acquiring other adjacent properties. She also said the DNR is concerned about the prospect of a future Minnesota River crossing coming too close to the fen. One of the proposed routes for a river crossing would come within a quarter mile of the property.

The item will be back in front of the County Board next week for a formal approval.

Richard Crawford can be reached at editor@chanvillager.com.