Mineland Reclamation grants assist with highly visible development and restoration of mining-impacted land.
Contact: Jim Plummer, Jim.Plummer@state.mn.us or 218-274-7006.
Grant Cycle Dates: July 1, 2024 - May 31, 2025.
Eligible Applicants: Cities, townships, nonprofits, counties, Tribal governments and governmental entities created pursuant to Minnesota Statutes located within the agency's service area.
Multi-organization collaboration is welcomed.
The city of Gilbert made improvements to the utilities, beach area parking and water access at its 57-unit Sherwood Forest Campground adjacent to Lake Ore-Be-Gone. A master plan was also created for the campground’s future growth and development. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with a Mineland Reclamation grant. The campground offers full hookup utilities, remote tent sites, horseshoes and volleyball. It reaches full capacity most of the camping season. The 140-acre Lake Ore-Be-Gone is an artificial lake that was formed decades ago by the flooding of three open-pit iron ore mines formerly owned by LTV Mining/Erie Mining Co. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation assisted with the original reclamation work of the mine pit and campground area. The agency helped develop beaches, a swimming area, public boat landing, fishing pier and docks and sunken attractions for scuba divers. The lake has earned national notoriety among divers because of its crystal blue clear waters where they can see a sunken school bus, cars, U.S. army plane, rail cars, boats, platforms, a jeep, a Huey helicopter and old mining equipment.
