SLAYTON — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeking to acquire land for a wildlife management area south of the city of Slayton.

The proposal, which would affect less than 9 acres of land, is on the agenda for the Murray County Board’s regular meeting this week.

According to materials in the Murray County Board agenda for today, the DNR is proposing to acquire a total of 8.87 acres of cropland in Section 26 of Slayton Township. The land is connected to an existing wildlife management area near Big Slough, which is located south of Slayton.

The DNR’s proposal, included in the county board agenda, said the parcel would be an addition to the Hiram C. Southwick WMA. The land would be seeded with a mix of plants that support native pollinators, or possibly an oak savannah. As part of a WMA, the land would be open to public hunting, trapping, wildlife viewing, and other forms of wildlife-oriented recreation.

If the tract of land is acquired by the DNR, it will generate payments in lieu of tax for the county. According to county board agenda materials, the payment in lieu of tax for the parcel is estimated to be about $801, or about $90.30 per acre, until the property is re-assessed. The current property tax on the parcel is $41.57 an acre, agenda materials said.

Murray County Commissioners are being asked to consider passing a resolution approving DNR acquisition of the Hiram C. Southwick WMA addition.