Minnehaha Fish and Wildlife Area, pictured above, will close April 1 after American Land Holdings of Indiana, a subsidiary of Peabody Energy, terminated a lease with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Fish and Wildlife on Jan. 12. Staff photo by Andrew Krull
Minnehaha Fish and Wildlife Area, pictured above, will close April 1 after American Land Holdings of Indiana, a subsidiary of Peabody Energy, terminated a lease with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Fish and Wildlife on Jan. 12. Staff photo by Andrew Krull
Minnehaha Fish and Wildlife Area will close April 1 after a subsidiary of an energy company that operates a local coal mine terminated a land use lease between itself and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish & Wildlife.
American Land Holdings — a subsidiary of Peabody Energy, which operated Bear Run Mine in southeastern Sullivan County — terminated the lease with DNR on Jan. 12, a DNR news release states.

“So we have 90 day from the time we got that letter” to clear out the site of state-owned property, said Brad Feaster, the DNR’s south region supervisor for public land who works at nearby Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area.

The last official day the 3,500-acre FWA will be open is March 31. It will be closed to the public starting April 1.

“You can still hunt over there. They still can fish over there through March 31,” Feaster added.

Minnehaha FWA was created in November 1985, when the DNR leased 12,500 acres from American Land Holdings.

“Over the years, the size of the facility was reduced to its current size,” the release states.

It also notes that the lease was meant to manage the property for recreational use of reclaimed mine land.

“Peabody Energy has been a valuable partner in making recreational lands available for public use for many years,” said Mark Reiter, DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife director. “We will remain in communication for possible future partnerships.”

Comments from Peabody’s corporate media office detailing the company’s reason for terminating the agreement were not available by press time Thursday.

However, Feaster noted that the property has been popular for those who hunt, fish, boat and, even, mushroom hunt.

“It’s been a really great thing for hunters and fisherman over there. Lots of people have used it ...” he said. “It’s been a good ride while it’s lasted.”
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