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County takes role in future elk return

Board approves tax-forfeit land to house herd

Remote Carlton County land west of Cloquet will be used to hold wild elk during the establishment of a herd, beginning as soon as 2026, following a vote by the county board Tuesday.

“They’re not asking for permission to bring elk here, they’re asking for us to sign a lease on a particular parcel,” commissioner Marv Bodie said, directing the board to stay on task during another meeting that featured a wide-ranging discussion on efforts by the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to bring elk to northeastern Minnesota.

“We’re not saying yes or...