Gov. Tim Pawlenty and US Steel COO John Goodish signed documents Tuesday morning officially closing the deal that will transfer 3,000 acres of mining company land to the state for the creation of Minnesota's newest state park.

Tuesday's official actions marks the culmination of more than three years of effort to obtain the property for the creation of a major new state park along Lake Vermilion’s eastern shore. The park was first proposed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty back in July, 2007, and the Minnesota Legislature authorized $20 million in funding for the project in the 2008 legislative session. Negotiations over the purchase of the land broke down in mid 2008, but a new round of discussions in late 2009 led to an eventual agreement on a purchase price of $18 million.

Watch the Timberjay's website and see this Saturday's print edition for more details on the new park.