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As an ATV enthusiast you should make sure that you are aware of current issues that can effect you and the future of the great sport of ATV Riding
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A Limited Designation would allow ATV's on Forest Roads, Minimum Maintenance Roads, and Designated Trails. This Designation would allow YOU to experience the Mississippi Headwaters from the seat of an ATV. This will not be possible unless YOU send your comments to the DNR asking for access to Forest Roads and Designated Trails in the Mississippi Headwaters State Forest.
Even a short note or email WILL HAVE IMPACT! Tell the Minnesota DNR you want access to Forest Roads and Designated Trails, and the Forest should not be Closed.
If you currently recreate in these areas or would like to in the future it is CRITICAL that YOU send in comments to the DNR and let them know you do not want these forest areas designated closed.
Written comments on the draft proposal will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 23, 2008.
Send your written comments to:
Bill Johnson, DNR Trails & Waterways
500 Lafayette Road, Box 52, St. Paul, MN 55155-4052
Email: bill.johnson@dnr.state.mn.us
(651) 259-5643 or toll free at 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367).
News Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DNR plans public meeting Jan. 16 on motor vehicle use proposals for state forest land in Mississippi Headwaters State Forest and southwest Beltrami County (December 21, 2007)
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a public meeting on its motor vehicle use classification and route designation proposals for the Mississippi Headwaters State Forest and scattered DNR forest lands in southwest Beltrami County.
The DNR will hold a public meeting on this proposal on Wednesday, Jan. 16 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Beaux Arts Ballroom, Hobson Memorial Union, Bemidji State University, 1500 Birchmont Road, Bemidji.
The DNR will present information and receive comments on its proposals. Joining DNR at the meeting will be representatives from the land departments for Beltrami, Clearwater and Hubbard counties.
The Mississippi Headwaters State Forest is part of the greater West Central Forests planning unit that includes six state forests within a 10-county planning area. The West Central Group is divided into two subunits. The North Unit includes Mississippi Headwaters and White Earth State Forests and scattered forest lands in Becker, Beltrami, Clearwater and Mahnomen counties. The South Unit includes Huntersville, Lyons, Smoky Hills and Two Inlets state forests and scattered forest lands in Clay, Douglas, Otter Tail, Pope, Todd and Wadena counties.
DNR is required to complete a classification review for all 58 of Minnesota’s state forests by December 2008. Planning for the West Central Group began in July 2006 when DNR formed an interdisciplinary team of resource specialists to conduct the review. Five public open houses were held in the fall of 2006. Since then the DNR team has worked closely with county representatives to develop its recommendations. A draft plan outlining the proposed forest classification and road/trails designations is now out for public review and comment through Jan. 23.
EVALUATION OF ROUTES, PROPOSED DESIGNATIONS
In all, the draft plan makes recommendations for about 44.5 miles of roads, trails and other inventoried routes on about 11,500 acres of state forest lands in the state forest and associated scattered lands. The proposal, which includes some route closures, will ultimately determine where motorized vehicles, including cars, trucks and off-highway vehicles (OHVs), will be allowed to operate on state lands in the forest and southwest part of the county. This proposal was developed in cooperation with the land departments of Beltrami, Clearwater and Hubbard counties in an effort to foster consistency across land ownerships.
PROPOSED FOREST CLASSIFICATION
The motor vehicle use classification provides the framework for managing public motor vehicle use on DNR lands and associated forest roads and trails. All state forest lands in the planning area are currently classified as managed, which means trails are open unless posted closed. The proposal reclassifies the Mississippi Headwaters State Forest from managed to limited, which has trails closed to motor vehicle use unless posted open. This “closed unless posted open” policy would apply to all the trails inside the state forests and scattered forest lands in the portion of Beltrami County. Forest roads are open to both highway-licensed vehicles and OHVs under either the managed or limited forest classification.
AREAS WITH LIMITATIONS
The draft plan recommends establishing areas on both DNR Forestry- and county-administered lands receive special protections from vehicular use. The limitations area occurs along selected reaches of the Mississippi River and provides motorized use restrictions on about 15,360 acres. These areas were selected to protect sensitive resources, especially for public lands in the vicinity of the Mississippi River. If approved, the motorized hunter/trapper exceptions on state forest lands would not apply in total DNR and Hubbard County lands, with use of non-designated routes still available in Beltrami County. Limitations areas are not proposed for Clearwater County forest lands. The exceptions, which allow for both off-trail ATV travel and use of nondesignated routes by highway licensed vehicles and OHVs for certain activities, would still be in force for the remaining balance of public forest lands.
PUBLIC REVIEW MEETING
During the first hour of the Jan. 16 public meeting, people will be able to informally review the plan, maps, and other summary materials. The DNR interdisciplinary team and other supporting staff will be present to answer questions. DNR will also present its proposal and respond to questions and accept comments. Land department staff for Beltrami, Clearwater and Hubbard counties will also be present to answer questions and receive comments about designations on county-managed lands.
PLANS AND MAPS NOW AVAILABLE
The DNR’s West Central Group - Mississippi Headwaters State Forest classification review and route designation proposals are available on the DNR Web site at www.findthetrails.com.
Written comments, questions or requests for copies of the planning documents should be directed to Bill Johnson, DNR Trails & Waterways, 500 Lafayette Road, Box 52, St. Paul, MN 55155-4052; bill.johnson@dnr.state.mn.us, (651) 259-5643 or toll free at 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367).
Written comments on the draft proposal will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 23.
Thank you for your support of ATVing in Minnesota!
Recommendations from the DNR’s draft plan will be presented for the Mississippi Headwaters State Forest and scattered DNR Forestry-administered lands in Southwest Beltrami County. The draft plan also details recommended forest road and trail designations for county-administered tax forfeit lands inside the state forest.
The DNR’s draft plan recommends that the state forest be classified as “limited” with regard to motor vehicle use. If the recommendation is adopted, motor vehicles will only be permitted on routes posted open to motorized use on DNR-managed lands. The Mississippi Headwaters State Forest is now under a “managed” classification, where all state forest roads and forest trails are open to recreational motor vehicle use unless posted closed.
Hubbard County proposes a scheme similar to the DNR’s on its forest lands, while both Beltrami and Clearwater counties will have an “open unless restricted” motor vehicle access policy on their ownerships.
The DNR also recommends a “limited” classification for DNR scattered state forest lands outside the forest boundary in Southwest Beltrami County.
In all, the draft plan makes recommendations concerning about 44 miles of roads, trails and other inventoried routes on about 11,500 acres of DNR-administered state forest lands in the Mississippi Headwaters Unit. The draft plan recommends designating some forest roads and trails in the forest, while leaving the majority as non-designated routes that will not be signed. For the designated trails, about 1.3 miles is proposed for ATV/OHM use and 3.8 miles will be designated non-motorized trail for hunter walking purposes. The DNR, along with Beltrami and Hubbard counties, also propose an area of about 14,500 acres inside the forest on all three ownerships where off-trail travel is prohibited during the big game hunting and trapping season.
PUBLIC MEETING NEXT WEEK
The DNR will hold one public meeting on this proposal. The meeting will be Wednesday, Jan. 16 at the Beaux Arts Ballroom, Hobson Memorial Union, Bemidji State University, 1500 Birchmont Road, Bemidji, MN. The meeting will start at 6:00 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. The first hour will allow people to informally review the plan, maps and other summary materials. The DNR interdisciplinary team and other supporting staff will be present to answer questions the public may have. During the remainder of the meeting, the DNR will present its proposal and respond to questions and accept comments. Land department staff for Beltrami, Clearwater and Hubbard counties will also be present to answer questions and receive comments about designations on county-managed tax forfeit lands.
PLANS AND MAPS NOW AVAILABLE
The DNR’s West Central Group – Mississippi Headwaters Unit’s classification review and route designation proposals are available on the DNR Web site at www.findthetrails.com.
Written comments, questions or requests for copies of the planning documents should be directed to Bill Johnson, DNR Trails & Waterways, 500 Lafayette Road, Box 52, St. Paul, MN 55155-4052, bill.johnson@dnr.state.mn.us, (651) 259-5643 or toll free at 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367).
Written comments on the draft proposal will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008
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DNR and counties to hold open houses on forest classification and trail designation in Koochiching and Itasca counties (January 9, 2008)
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will begin motorized access planning for state forests in Koochiching and east Itasca counties this winter and will kick off the process with public open houses in late January. The planning will cover the Koochiching, Smokey Bear, Pine Island, George Washington, and Golden Anniversary state forests and scattered lands in Koochiching and eastern Itasca counties. Motorized access planning is a cooperative effort between the DNR and the counties.
The DNR and counties are co-hosting open houses so the public can review maps of inventoried access routes and comment on current and desired future public uses (motorized and non-motorized) of DNR and county administered lands within the project area. The planning team will use the public comments to produce preliminary proposals for motorized use classifications and road and trail designations. County land managers are also seeking input for uses on county tax-forfeit lands.
The open houses are scheduled for 4:30 to 7 pm at:
International Falls: Wednesday, Jan. 23, Rainy River Community College, Room H118, 1501 Highway 71
Northome: Thursday, Jan. 24, Senior Citizens Center, Hwy 46 (blue building next to the fire hall)
Big Fork: Tuesday, Jan. 29, Big Fork Village Hall, 200 Main Avenue (Corner of Main Avenue and Ash Street), Big Fork
Grand Rapids: Wednesday, Jan. 30, Grand Rapids Public Library, 140 NE 2nd Street
The goal of the coordinated planning effort is to create consistent access plans, which will best serve forest users. While the DNR and county land managers will ultimately develop their own forest road and trail plans for lands they manage, the agencies have formed this interagency working group to better coordinate plans.
Public comments will be shared among cooperating agencies, so interested parties need only submit comment once. Maps for the entire planning unit will be available at each meeting to facilitate convenient public participation in the process. DNR and its partners will consider the comments in development of proposed forest classifications and road/trail designations.
For more information about the open houses, contact Jack Olson, DNR Trails and Waterways planner at 218-833-8716 or jack.olson@dnr.state.mn.us. Public information and maps for the Koochiching/East Itasca planning effort will be posted on the DNR Web site at www.findthetrails.com or www.mndnr.gov\ohv
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DNR finalizes planning for motor vehicle use proposals on state forest lands in the West Central Forests’ South Unit (January 8, 2008)
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has completed its public access planning for state forest lands in the West Central Group – South Unit. The plan includes DNR Forestry-administered lands in four state forests (Huntersville, Lyons, Smoky Hills and Two Inlets), and scattered state forest lands in six counties (Clay, Douglas, Pope, Otter Tail, Todd and Wadena).
The final plan addresses how the public will access approximately 60,000 acres in the planning area. The DNR has classified all four state forests as limited, which means motor vehicles will be allowed to operate only on signed forest roads and trails. The forests are currently classified as managed, which means that motor vehicles are allowed to operate on routes unless posted closed.
The DNR interdisciplinary team also considered the types of uses that can be sustained on about 325 miles of route inventory. From this total, designations for approximately 117 miles of forest roads and 110 miles of forest trails will be offered. Both motorized and non-motorized trail designations are offered in the plan, including single-track trails for both off-highway motorcycles and horseback riding in Huntersville State Forest. The plan also identifies about 12,000 acres in the Smoky Hills and Two Inlets state forests where use of unsigned routes or off-trail travel under the big game hunting and trapping exceptions will not be allowed. New hunter walking trails will also be present in this area.
The classifications and designations become effective Dec. 31.
“The Department is allowing one field season to get the forests ready,” said Keith Simar, one of the team co-chairs in the Division of Forestry. “Our foresters, trails managers and other staff have a number of responsibilities on the ground in order to implement the plan. We’ll be busy.”
The final plan, maps and other related information can be viewed on the DNR Web site at www.findthetrails.com.
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Chisholm ATV trail proposal out for public review (December 28, 2007)
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public review and comment on the proposed construction of an 11-mile ATV trail connecting the city of Chisholm with Highway 5 and Connor’s Road just northwest of the city in west-central St. Louis County.
The trail, designed to facilitate travel into Chisholm from points north, is planned as a grant-in-aid route open only to all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).
The proposal, submitted by the Northern Traxx ATV Club (sponsored by the city of Chisholm), begins on Cemetery Road north of Chisholm and continues northwesterly between Highway 5 and Highway 84, crossing Highway 84 near its intersection with Highway 134 (Dewey Lake Road). After crossing Highway 84, the trail continues northwesterly past Dollar Lake before intersecting with Connors Road. If approved, this trail will be operated, maintained and managed by the city of Chisholm in conjunction with the Northern Traxx ATV Club.
The ATV trail segments described in the club’s proposal have already undergone rigorous DNR review. The project addresses potential user safety and environmental concerns identified during the DNR review, including the need for water crossing permits, potential wetland impacts, and safe use of public road rights-of-way. The proposal also incorporates design features intended to discourage speeding along the corridor, which incorporates sections of existing road, snowmobile trail, and user-developed riding trails.
The DNR welcomes public perspective on this project proposal. Copies of the proposal and site map are available at www.mndnr.gov.
Requests and comments may also be directed to Steve Hennessy, DNR Tower Area Trails and Waterways, 650 Highway 169 Tower, MN 55790, (218) 753-2580, ext. 253, or e-mailed to steve.hennessy@dnr.state.mn.us.
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Public input wanted for Greenleaf Lake State Recreation Area plan (January 13, 2008)
As the formal planning process for the Greenleaf Lake State Recreation Area (SRA) begins, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be holding a public open house on Tuesday, Jan. 29.
The open house will be in the basement of the Meeker County Courthouse in Litchfield from 5-7 p.m.
Cathi Fouchi, DNR Southern Region planner at New Ulm, said the DNR and others charged with developing a comprehensive plan want to collect as much information as possible from the public, as well as answer any questions people might have about the project.
“As the project moves forward, it’s very important that we accurately assess just what people would like to see included in the recreation area, whether that be hunting, camping, hiking, educational opportunities or other similar activities,” Fouchi noted. “We really want to hear what the citizens have to say.”
In addition to the open house, written comments can be submitted to Fouchi via e-mail at cathi.fouchi@dnr.state.mn.us or regular mail at DNR Southern Region, 261 Highway 15 South, New Ulm, Mn. 56073.
The Greenleaf Lake SRA is located between Litchfield and Hutchinson with about 1,200 acres of land enclosed within the currently proposed boundaries. To date, nearly 400 acres of land around Greenleaf and Sioux lakes have been purchased and discussion continues with other potentially willing sellers.
Mark Matuska, DNR Southern Region director at New Ulm, expressed both appreciation and excitement about the prospects for the SRA. “I believe this recreation area is going to be an extremely popular and important addition to this area of Minnesota,” Matuska said. “We’re really looking forward to moving ahead.”
Recreational Trail Planned for Aitkin and Itasca Counties
PUBLIC INVITED TO KICK-OFF MEETINGS IN NOVEMBER
Aitkin, MN – Approximately 70 miles of new ATV/OHV recreational trail segments are being planned in North-Central Minnesota. The plan is for the new segments to link existing trails and create a system that totals nearly 500 miles.
“A nice big trail system like this will really give riders a place to go,” says Len Hardy of the All-Terrain Vehicle Association of Minnesota, and member of the Oversight Committee for the 70-Mile Trail Project.
The trail system will eventually connect major recreation destinations from the Mille Lacs area, and the Big Sandy Lake area, and continue through to the Grand Rapids area. Communities along the potential trail corridor include McGrath, Lawler, McGregor, Palisade, Hill City, Warba, and more.
“Linking these recreational hot spots just makes sense, “ says Brian Napstad, Aitkin County Board Member, and member of the Oversight Committee.
The project was proposed by the Land Departments in Aitkin and Itasca Counties and is supported with state funding through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
“This project is a real collaborative effort,” says Mark Jacobs, Aitkin County Land Commissioner. “The partners are working together to design a trail system that is environmentally sensitive, economically beneficial, and community supported.”
To help with the design and development of the project, the project oversight committee includes 19 representatives from the region with diverse interests and backgrounds, including business owners, recreational trail users, and environmental interests.
“The committee is here to make sure that the project gets done right,” says Steve Aysta, Itasca County Recreation Specialist and Committee Member.
The committee has also approved a contract for project coordination services with Dovetail Partners, a non-profit forestry group based in Minneapolis, and Applied Ecological Services, an environmental consulting firm from Prior Lake,
The public is invited to attend two project kick-off meetings on November 27th and 28th. The meetings will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 PM with the meeting on the 27th at the Warba Community Center and on the 28th at the McGregor Community Center. The meetings will include an introduction to the project and invite feedback and input as the planning moves forward.
For more information, visit the project website at
http://www.70MileTrail.net
CONTACT:
Kathryn Fernholz, 612-333-0430
Thank you for your support of ATVing in Minnesota!
News Releases
DNR encourages comments on east-central forests planning effort; Team, county partners preparing to start planning meetings (9-11-2007)
Having just held five open houses to outline its project area and present base maps on the motorized use planning effort in the east-central state forests, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reminding the public to submit comments soon, because the planning team will begin its deliberations later this month. The planning team will produce forest classification and route designation proposals to manage motorized and nonmotorized access and recreation in the planning area.
The planning area includes the DAR, Hill River, Land O’Lakes, Savanna, Snake River, and Waukenabo state forests, as well as scattered DNR Forestry-administered lands in Aitkin, Anoka, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Pine, Southern Cass, and Washington counties. The east-central group is a cooperative planning effort between the DNR and the land departments for Aitkin, Cass, and Pine counties.
According to Bill Johnson, the DNR Trails and Waterways planner assigned to manage the planning process, the team and county partners are seeking information early in the process. “We want to better understand how the public uses the forests now, and how they'd like to see motorized and nonmotorized access and recreation managed into the future.”
"At this stage in the process, we want to know three things from the public," said Johnson. "We want to know if the routes illustrated on our base maps are accurate; how people are currently using the forest; and how the public wants motorized and nonmotorized recreation managed in the future for these forests.”
To date, the DNR has received more than three dozen written comments and has spoken to more than 100 individuals at the public open houses it held in recent weeks.
"This is the early part of the planning process, so the information we're gathering now will be used to develop some preliminary proposals that we can bring to the public next winter," Johnson said. "The planning team will try to gage from these public comments how they can best write a proposal that protects natural resources while allowing reasonable access to public lands in this part of the state."
Public comments should be submitted to Bill Johnson, DNR Trails & Waterways, 500 Lafayette Rd, St. Paul, MN 55155; or bill.johnson@dnr.state.mn.us.
Public information and maps for the east-central group planning effort will be posted on the DNR Web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us and navigate to the Plans and Proposals section of the page).
DNR Cyber news update August 20 2007
The following DNR-Trails and Waterways facilities in Southeastern Minnesota are closed at this time;
Root River State Trail - entire trail
SE ATV Trail - entire trail
Snake Creek ATV/OHM trail - entire trail
Trout Valley ATV/OHM Trail - entire trail
No travel on the following rivers are recommended at this time because of debris in the rivers and the extremely high water levels;
Root River
Zumbro River
Whitewater River
Straight and Cannon Rivers
Please check water levels on line for current conditions. Campsites and public water accesses on these rivers are closed at this time until water levels subside and facilities can be assessed.
Thank you for your support of ATVing in Minnesota!
Written comments, questions or requests for copies of the planning documents should be directed to Brian McCann, DNR Trails & Waterways, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4052; to brian.mccann@dnr.state.mn.us or by calling (651) 259-5627 or toll free 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367).
Below is a sample letter that could be sent into the DNR. Make sure and include your name and address.
Brian McCann
DNR Trails & Waterways
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul MN 55155-4052
Attn: DNR Planning Team
I am very concerned about the proposed changes to designations of state forests in Cook County. As an ATVer, I do not want to see any current routes in the Grand Portage State Forest or the Pat Bayle State Forest eliminated. On the contrary, ATVers are working with Cook County and the US Forest Service to open more forest roads and trails for ATV use. The DNR should cooperate with this effort by leaving all existing forest roads open to ATVs and by opening snowmobile trails to ATV travel wherever possible.
There are numerous areas in Cook County where people who prefer non-motorized activities can go—the million-plus acres of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, the Superior Hiking Trail, three state parks, and numerous Scientific and Natural Areas. There are also thousands of acres of swamps and wetlands that are already off-limits to ATVs. There is no need to further restrict ATV travel, ATVing in Cook County is already extremely limited.
I strongly support the Proposed Classification of State Forest Lands in Cook County’s proposal to leave Grand Portage State Forest “managed.” This is the area of the county where much ATVing already takes place. I strongly urge the DNR to keep this forest classification.
It is extremely important to maintain the roads used to connect the Gunflint Trail, the Grand Portage State Forest, and the Grand Portage Reservation open. The ride from the Greenwood Lake area to Grand Portage Lodge and Casino is one that is familiar to snowmobilers who want to come back to Cook County to ride four-wheelers. This is an incredible ride in the Spring and Fall.
I strongly oppose the proposal to classify the Pat Bayle State Forest as “limited.” I understand that the state lands in Pat Bayle State Forest are scattered, however, there are numerous traditionally used trails that are included in this forest that do not appear to have been identified and included in the forest inventory. There are many trails between homes and businesses used primarily by local residents and frequent North Shore visitors. These trails are not necessarily part of an overall OHV trail system, but they are important, historically used, trails that should be left alone.
My major concern is that the DNR plan, like the Forest Service, offers little or no access to areas where food, fuel, lodging, and camping is available. I strongly urge the DNR to work with the Forest Service and Cook County to leave all forest roads open and to open the snowmobile trails that provide access to services.
Thank you for the chance to comment on the Proposed Classification of State Forest Lands in Cook County.
Respectfully submitted,
Name
Address
Phone #
Email
Thank you for your support of ATVing in Minnesota!
The proposal is a collaborative effort between the DNR, Lake County, the Superior National Forest, the Fond du Lac Band and the 1854 Authority in an effort to foster consistency across land ownerships.
EVALUATION OF ROUTES AND PROPOSED DESIGNATIONS
The plan makes recommendations for about 220 miles of roads, trails and other inventoried routes on about 160,000 acres of state forest lands in Lake County. The proposal, which includes some existing route closures, recommends which routes on state forest lands will be open to motorized use by cars, trucks and off highway vehicles.
PROPOSED FOREST CLASSIFICATION
The DNR proposes to change all state forest lands in Lake County which are within the legal boundaries of the Superior National Forest (northern portion of the Finland State Forest), to a limited classification (routes are closed to motorized travel unless posted open). On Finland State Forest lands that lie outside the Superior National Forest boundaries in southern Lake and southwest Cook counties, the DNR proposes to retain a managed classification (routes are open unless posted closed).
Under the proposal, scattered state forest lands outside of state and federal forest boundaries in the northern part of the county would be classified as limited, and scattered state forest lands outside of state and federal forest boundaries in southern Lake County would remain managed. All state lands within the BWCAW will remain classified as closed to motorized use.
AREAS WITH LIMITED ON OFF-TRAIL AND NONDESIGNATED TRAIL USE
In Lake County, seven areas totaling 12,065 acres of state forest lands are proposed to receive special protections from motorized vehicle use. These areas, ranging from 675 to 1,380 acres, were selected based on high-to-outstanding biodiversity rankings, the absence of major roads and/or trails, and their proximity to unique or sensitive wildlife habitat, hydrologic features and traditional nonmotorized recreational use areas. Three of the sites are proposed for reclassification to closed (no OHV use). The others are proposed to be designated as areas with limitations on off-trail and nondesignated trail use, which means the motorized hunter/trapper exception would not apply on these state lands.
PUBLIC REVIEW MEETING
A public meeting on this proposal will be from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 12, at the Silver Bay Reunion Hall, 97 Outer Drive, Silver Bay. The first hour will allow people to informally review the plan, maps and other summary materials. DNR, Lake County and Superior National Forest representatives will answer questions regarding motorized access planning for public forest lands in the county. During the remainder of the meeting, DNR will present its proposal and respond to questions and comments.
PLAN AND MAPS NOW AVAILABLE
The DNR's Lake County forest classification and route designation proposals are available on the DNR Web site at www.findthetrails.com.
Copies may also be viewed at the DNR 's Two Harbors Area Office, 1568 Highway 2, during normal office hours.
Written comments, questions, or requests for copies of the planning documents, should be directed to Brian McCann, DNR Trails & Waterways, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4052; brian.mccann@dnr.state.mn.us or by calling (651) 259-5627 or toll free 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367).
Written comments on the draft proposal will be accepted until 4:30 p.m., Friday, June 22.
Thank you for your help!
DNR seeks comments on motor vehicle use proposals for state forest lands in Crow Wing County
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting comments on its motor vehicle use classification and route designation proposals for state forest lands in Crow Wing County. The DNR will present information and receive comments on its proposals at a public meeting in June. The meeting will be co-hosted by the DNR and Crow Wing County.
PROPOSED FOREST CLASSIFICATIONS
The motor vehicle use classification provides the framework for managing public motor vehicle use on forest lands. State forest lands are currently classified as managed, or open unless posted closed. The proposal would classify the majority of state forest lands in Crow Wing County as limited, which means the land would be closed unless posted open. About 15 percent of the state forest lands would be classified as closed under the proposal, which means off-highway vehicle (OHV) use would not be allowed.
PROPOSED ROUTE DESIGNATIONS
The DNR is also proposing designations for the 104 miles of existing routes on the 25,000 acres of state forest land in the county. The route designations will determine where all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), off-highway motorcycles (OHMs), off-road vehicles (ORVs) such as 4x4 trucks, and highway-licensed vehicles (HLVs) are allowed to operate.
The proposal is to designate 25 miles as minimum maintenance state forest roads that will be open to HLVs, ATVs, OHMs and ORVs. An additional 20 miles of existing routes would be designated as trails for ATV and OHM use. Five miles are proposed for designation as hiking or hunter walking trails that would be closed to motor vehicle use.
About half of the existing routes would remain nondesignated. The 45 miles of nondesignated routes on forest lands classified as limited would not be available for motor vehicle use except for certain big game hunting and trapping related uses allowed by state law. The nine miles of nondesignated routes on forest lands classified as closed would not be available for any public motor vehicle use.
The route designation and classification proposals were developed in conjunction with Crow Wing County to promote consistent public motor vehicle management on adjacent state and county forest lands.
PUBLIC MEETING IN JUNE
A public meeting on the proposals will be held on Thursday, June 21, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Northland Arboretum, 14250 Conservation Drive in Baxter. The first hour of the meeting will be an open house where the map and summary materials can be viewed. After that, DNR and Crow Wing County land managers will present the proposals, respond to questions and accept comments.
PROPOSALS AND MAPS AVAILABLE NOW
The DNR classification proposal, road and trail designation plan, and related maps are on the DNR Web site at www.findthetrails.com.
EVALUATIONS OF ROUTES AND PROPOSED DESIGNATIONS
In all, the plan makes recommendations for more than 300 miles of roads, trails and other inventoried routes on nearly 145,000 acres of state forest lands in the area. The proposal, which includes some existing route closures, will ultimately determine where motorized vehicles, including cars, trucks and off-highway vehicles, will be allowed to operate on state lands within the planning area. This proposal was developed in cooperation with St. Louis County Land Department representatives in an effort to foster consistency across public forest ownerships.
PROPOSED FOREST CLASSIFICATION
This proposal is to retain the managed classification (routes are open unless posted closed) for all state forest lands located within the statutory boundaries of the Cloquet Valley State Forest, and for those scattered lands outside the forest that lie north of U.S. Highway 2 in St. Louis County. Scattered state lands south of U.S Highway 2 in south St. Louis and Carlton counties would be reclassified as limited (routes are closed to motorized travel unless posted open) under the proposal.
AREAS WITH LIMITATIONS ON OFF-TRAIL AND NONDESIGNATED TRAIL USE
Within the Cloquet Valley State Forest, five separate areas totaling just more than 16,000 acres are proposed to receive special protections from vehicular use. These areas, ranging from 816 to 9,947 acres in size, consisting of a mix of state and county-administered forest lands, were identified based on high-to-outstanding biodiversity rankings, the absence of major roads and/or trails, and their proximity to unique or sensitive wildlife habitat, hydrologic features or traditional nonmotorized recreational use areas. State lands within each of these sites is proposed for limitations on off-trail and nondesignated trail use under the state law, which eliminates the motorized hunter/trapper exceptions on state lands.
PUBLIC REVIEW MEETINGS
The DNR will hold two public meetings on this proposal. The first will be on Wednesday, June 20 at the Cotton Community Center located approximately 30 miles north of Duluth near the intersection of Arkola Road and Highway 53 (west frontage road) in Cotton. The second meeting will be on Thursday, June 21, at the Rice Lake Town Hall, 4107 West Beyer Road, Duluth. Both meetings are from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The first hour of each meeting will allow people to informally review the plan, maps and other summary materials. DNR and St. Louis County Land Department representatives will there to answer questions regarding motorized access planning for public forest lands in the county. During the remainder of the meeting, the DNR will present its proposal and respond to questions and comments. Written comments will also be accepted.
PLAN AND MAPS NOW AVAILABLE
The forest classification and route designation proposals are available on the DNR Web site www.findthetrails.com. Copies may also be viewed at the DNR's Cloquet Area Foresty Office, 1604 South Highway 33, Cloquet, during regular office hours.
Written comments, questions, or requests for copies of the planning documents, should be directed to Brian McCann, DNR Trails & Waterways, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4052; to brian.mccann@dnr.state.mn.us or by calling (651) 259-5627 or toll free 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367).
Comments on the draft proposal will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 29.
Thank you for your support of ATVing in Minnesota!
Forest Service Seeks Public Input on East Zone Motorized Travel Management Project
On Friday, March 23, 2007, the Tofte and Gunflint Ranger Districts released the scoping package for the East Zone Motorized Travel Management Project. The scoping package describes a proposed project that addresses opportunities to create off highway vehicle (OHV) loops and connections to recreation destinations on existing roads and trails that will provide for an enjoyable and consistently managed recreation opportunity. Implementation of the proposal would provide nearly 416 miles of travel route for all terrain vehicles and off-highway motorcycles within the two Districts. The proposed project also addresses the disposition of unclassified roads; whether to designate these roads as National Forest System roads, National Forest System trails, or decommission those not needed for long-term resource management.
The Gunflint and Tofte Districts have been working collaboratively with the Grand Portage Band of Minnesota Chippewa and the 1854 Authority, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR), and Cook and Lake County Board of Commissioners. The collaborative planning process should provide for a more consistent, seamless travel management system across jurisdictional boundaries that will offer the public experiences in a variety of forest environments while protecting the natural resources.
The scoping period for the East Zone Motorized Travel Management Project will be open until April 27, 2007 and is intended to solicit public comments related to the proposed action, identify significant environmental issues deserving of further study and to de-emphasize insignificant issues.
If you are interested in seeing a copy of this scoping package and finding out more about how to comment, you will find the entire package in the "Projects and Plans" section of the Superior National Forest Web Site: www.fs.fed.us/r9/superior/ , or you may pick up a hard copy at the Tofte and Gunflint Ranger District offices.
SAMPLE LETTER TO SUBMIT FOR COMMENTS:
East Zone Motorized Travel Management Project
ATTN: John Wytanis
Superior National Forest
PO Box 2159
Tofte MN 55615
To: Ranger John Wytanis:
As an ATVer, I am very concerned about the East Zone Motorized Travel Management Project in the Superior National Forest. I appreciate the work the forest planning team has done on this project, however, there are many important connections that have been left out.
One of the biggest problems with the plan is that there are few trailhead parking areas. There are also few connections to camping. I am also very disappointed to see that there are no connections to businesses that serve food, provide lodging or gasoline. If the point of this project was to provide an enjoyable ATVing area in the Superior National Forest, these connections need to be included. In particular, I would like to access the Trail Center Restaurant, Hungry Jack Lodge, and Windigo Lodge on the Gunflint Trail. These businesses are supported by snowmobiles in the winter and they support ATV business as well. I would like to be able to ride in the Superior National Forest and access these services.
I am also concerned that local ATVers will lose access to the many “user created” trails in the area. There are many short trails in the Superior National Forest used by cabin owners and fishermen. Please make sure these are identified and included in the plan. The local ATV Club, the Cook County ATV Club, would be your best source of information on these areas, please use their knowledge to ensure that all trails are included.
Thank you for the chance to comment on the East Zone Motorized Travel Management Project.
Respectfully submitted,
Name
Address
Phone #
Email
Additional Connections to include in comments:
Forest Road 161E - T61N RW Section 6, 7
Pike Lake area. The map shows this as open to ATVs at this time and that it will remain open to ATVs. However – it is not open!! It has been blocked seasonally with trenches & piles of dirt. Please reopen this road, mitigating wet areas with a bridge or culverts on the stream. Local mountain bikers have also expressed the desire to use this road.
FR 333 – T61N R2W Sections 22, 27, 28, 33, 34, T60N 2W, Section 4, 5, 6, and 7
Coming off the Murmur Creek Road. This is marked foot-traffic only. Why? This is an unmaintained road that would be entirely suitable for ATV use.
Gravel pits on Honeymoon Trail – T61N R3W, Section 28, and T60N R4W Section 5
Why are these being closed? These should be left open to provide a ‘scramble area’ of sorts. There is nothing environmentally sensitive in these pits to protect, so let these places stay open for riders who want to spin tires! Leaving these open for those riders will protect the trails.
FR337 to Barker Lake – T60N R3W Section 4, 8, 9, T61N R3W Section 33
This is a favorite fishing spot for many locals. There is a small parking area which could easily accommodate ATV parking. If there is a problem with ATVs on the boat access, the club could work with DNR to obtain ATV damage fund account & create barricades to further damage.
Tofte Snowmobile Trail – T59N R4W Section 17, 20, 29
The Town of Tofte is cut off from ALL forest roads unless the snowmobile trail is opened. Please mitigate wet areas with culverts, matting, or fill to allow continued use of this connection to the forest. The Tofte Timberwolves Snowmobile Club has put a great deal of time and effort in developing this trail, with the intent that it is a multi-purpose trail. Please work with them to keep this trail open.
FR 166 (600 Road) to Lake County Road 7 – T59N R5W Sections 1, 7,8,9, 10, 11, 12 and T59N R4W Section 6, T60N R4W Section 32
This should be opened to Crooked Lake to provide a restaurant destination ride. It would be great to be able to ride from the forest roads to Trestle Inn for lunch or dinner.
FR159 – T60N R2W Section 2 and T61N R2W Section 35
Near the Hall Road in Lutsen area. Open the snowmobile trail off this forest road to connect to the Cascade Park snowmobile trailhead and west to Cascade Resort. This gives a place to park and ride into the forest. Opening the snowmobile trail from the west to Cascade Resort, where it is mostly high and dry gives access to dining. There may be a few areas that have clay, but could be mitigated by putting down some shale rock.
FR315 – T64N R1W Sections 9, 15, 22, 23
Open snowmobile trail (FR315) connecting FR 330 and FR 152 and to Trail Center Restaurant. This section includes the Lima Grade Road, which is proposed open from East & West Twin Lakes. That is about half of the road - why not open it the entire way. This is a vital connection because ATVers want to ride to Trail Center for gas and dining. Connections should also be made to Windigo Lodge and Hungry Jack Lodge, favorite dining spots for anglers. These businesses have been very supportive of ATVing in Cook County and want to be connected to ATV loops.
S. Brule Parking Lot and Greenwood Road from the parking lot to Swamper Trail – T63N R1E Section 15, 22
This is an important connection for the route to Grand Portage. Make sure that FR 141 is opened the entire way.
Swamper Snowmobile - T63 R1E Section 19 to Swamper Lake (W. Township Boundary) to Trail Center T64 1W Section 8
Also consider opening Swamper Trail west of the Gunflint Trail. This is an old logging road spur and a very enjoyable ride used by ATVers now. Consider opening the Old Gunflint Trail from South Brule River to the Gunflint Snowmobile Trail north west of T63 and 64 N R1E.
S. Brule campsite – T63N R1E Section 16
Why not open the parking area at S. Brule? This is a large area that would accommodate trailers would be a great trailhead for a loop of FR330 (Lullaby Road) to FR1240 to FR152.
T63N R1E Section 16, 22
Open from FR154 Pine Mountain Road to FR 1422 to Circle Lake.
Devil Track Campground – T62N R1E Sections 21, 9, 3
The campground could serve as a trailhead, with room for parking and would give campers someplace to ride. Open the Forest Service sections of the snowmobile trail connected the Devil Track campground and Two Island (most is open, except for three small Forest Service sections, i.e., near Olson Lake). Not opening the FS sections just doesn’t make sense!
State snowmobile trail to Bally Creek Road to the Meridian Road – T61N R1W Section 6-1 and T61N R2W Section 1
This would create a great loop and there are no low-lands in this area. This is a suitable riding area.
Little Cascade - FR 1285 - T62N R3W Section 13
Please add this road as it is currently being used and enjoyed by many ATVers.
Pike Lake Road to Bally Creek Road - FR 157 - T62N R2W Sections 1, 2, 3, 10, 15
This would connect the Pike Lake area to the Bally Creek Road and would provide a great riding area - which is being used by many ATVers now.
Bally Creek Road – T61N R1W Section 15, 9, 8, 6 and T61W R2W Section 1, 2
This is a beautiful, scenic, road that would offer a terrific ATVing experience and could be used to a great day ride. Open Bally Creek Road from County Road 48, connect to FR 157 Cascade River Road to the snowmobile trail FR158, then back to the Bally Creek Road to The Grade. Also, open Bally Creek Road on the north side of Devil Track Lake, to Thompson Lake Road.
Bally Creek area spurs - T62N 1W Sections 31, 32, 20, 30, 14 and T62N R2W Section 36, 26
We encourage the Forest Service not to close all the small spur logging roads in this area. These have seen historic use by vehicles of all types. They are nice stopping places for hikes further into the forest.
Unnamed Forest Road – T60N R1W Sections 5, 8, 7, 18, 19, and 20
There is an old road of off Bally Creek Road (an old township road?) with a very sturdy bridge. This would be a great road for riding and the stream is well-protected by this bridge.
Ball Club Road – FR 323 – T62N R1W Section 4 and T63N R1W Sections 33, 32, 31, 30
Opening this would allowed continued use of a great road to ride and would give access to walk-in fishing at Ball Club as well as FR 1365 and FR1365B.
FR 1365 –Trestle Pine Road (off Ball Club Road) and the Kemo Cutoff - T62N R1W Sections 4, 3, 2 and T63N R1W Section 35, 36 and T62N R1E Section 5, 6
On the USFS map this is designated “now open” but there are signs on the road saying it is closed. It should be open! This road is especially important for providing access to for cabin owners.
Maple Hill Cemetery Road – T62N R1E Sections 27, 28, 29, 32, 33, 34, 21, 22, and 20
There are numerous old logging roads in this area that do not appear on the inventory. Following these roads, an ATVer could travel to Pine Mountain Road and many local riders are now using them. These should be designated as trails.
FR 140 – Trout Lake Road – T62N R2E Sections 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 13, 24, 11
The plan proposes opening 1/3 of this road and does create a nice little loop. This would be greatly enhanced by opening Trout Lake Road from FR140B to FR 306. This is a favorite riding area now. There is a parking area at Kimball Lake that could be used for good access.
FR303D – T62N R2# Sections 29, 28, 5, 19, 20, 7
This road is closed through the County Landfill area – why not open it – it’s a great riding area and could be connected to the Colvill Road to create a great loop.
South Fowl Lake Road – T64N R3E sections 15, 14, 11, 12
Hovland. This road is on both DNR & Forest Service land. Keep all portions open to provide access for cabin owners, anglers.
Timberfrear Loop – T60N R5W Sections 4, 7, 8, 9 and T61N R5W Sections 33, 28, 29, 29, 17, 18, 7
Open The Grade from the Timberfrear Loop to the Trestle Inn, or open the snowmobile trail, so riders can make the Timberfrear Loop and go to Trestle Inn for dining.
Sawbill from FR338C Pancore Lake Road to FR 1235. T61N R4W Section 21, 22, 28, 29, 30
Many ATV Club members have requested that this road be left open because it is being used now and is an enjoyable ride, as well as a connection to homes and cabins in the area.
Sawbill Trail FR 346 from Ritchey Lake to FR 170 and back to Four Mile Lake - T61N R5W Section 13, 24, 23, 25, 26, 35, 34; T60N R5W Sections 2, 11, 15, 8, 9, 17, 21, 20, 18 and T60N R5W Sections 29, 28, 27
This is another section requested numerous times by ATVers who are already using this road.
Croftville area of Grand Marais to Devil Track Lake – T61N – R1E Section 12, 11, 14, 15, 10
There are numerous uninventoried snowmobile/ATV trails in this area. These areas were recorded on GPS and submitted to the Forest Service in January 2006 by trail users, at the first public hearing and have still not been identified or designated. Please designate these as local use trails. They are used primarily by landowners in the area. Access is from private property.
Incline Road – Colvill area – T61N R2E Section 1 and T62N R2E Sections 35, 26, 25.
This is another historical riding area that is not on the inventory. This is actually an old road that has seen consistent use by ATVs and other vehicles for decades. This road was identified as a key riding area at the January 2006 open house and has not been identified or designated. Please designate as a local use trail. They are used primarily by landowners in the area. Access is from private property on Highway 61 below and from the power line and County Road 14 above. This road/trail continues across Highway 61 high onto the hillside, on private and federal land.
FR 304 – Old Dump Road – T62N R2E Sections 19, 20, 21, 22
This connection would create a nice loop and connects to roads already being ridden by many ATVers, County Road 60 to FR 155 Tower Road. There are also numerous musher trails in this area, used by recreational ATVers and mushers training their teams.
Thank you for your support of ATVing in Minnesota!
Attention Minnesota Recreationists!
CITY OF OAK GROVE CLOSE TO IMPLEMENTING EXTREMELY RESTRICTIVE ORDINANCES ON OHV USE ON PERSONAL PROPERTY
Tom Umphress, Minnesota Representative for the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC), forwarded us an important email he got from Pete Urban in Oak Grove. Tom and Pete needs our help, I have pasted the email below.
Thanks in advance for your involvement,
Brian Hawthorne
Public Lands Director
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 102
__________________________________________________________
ARMCA | Government Relations Officer
From: Pete Urban
Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2007 9:54 PM
To: Tom Umphress
Subject: Oak Grove, MN Ordinances
Tom,
Thank you again for your assistance. Per our conversation you were going to send me an ordinance template and notify the AMA and BlueRibbon orgs to send an alert notice to members about our Ordinance issue.
We have a Planning Commission meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 19th @ 7:00 PM. It would be helpful if you could attend and speak on NOHVCC and AMA perspectives. (Please note: Oak Grove is usually listed as the city of Cedar. Most AMA members in our area will have that listed as their city)
Issue Description:
The City of Oak Grove is close to implementing extremely restrictive ordinances around OHV use on personal property.
History:
The Oak Grove city council asked the planning commission members to research complaints and provide a recommendation to the city council on whether or not to implement these ordinances. In August of '06 this was up for discussion at the Planning Commission. A local resident sent flyers notifying other riders in the area of the meeting. At this meeting it was suggested by a non-rider that these riders form a network and try to police themselves as an effort to resolve the issue. In October the Oak Grove Riders Club was established. Recent discussions with City officials are showing that despite any recommendations from the Planning Commission and the majority of residents submitting letters and emails, there are still 3 Council members (majority out of 4), that wish to proceed with extremely restrictive ordinances. Their focus will not be to limit personal property OHV riding but to 'ban' it on any form of track.
Club accomplishments to date:
Provided mediation between two neighbors (rider vs. non-rider) to work out an acceptable schedule for both parties.
Club website created including rider education page, links to rider resources, a list of responsible riding habits, suggestions for conflict management, updates from City Meetings, guestbook, and Club mission and vision. http://www.freewebs.com/oakgroveridersclub/index.htm
Club membership has grown to 60+ members in a 3 month period.
Obtained sponsors from local business providing discounts to Club members on after market quieter than stock exhaust systems and accessories, discounts on trees for noise/dust barriers.
Provided monthly updates on Club accomplishments showing positive community impact to Planning Commission members.
Club member volunteers are in process of working with local elementary school to improve nature trail that runs through school property.
Published article in local paper (The Courier) introducing the Club, it's mission and vision, and provided rider education tips.
Established P.O. Box, Registered the Clubs name with Dept of MN, and obtained MN Identification number to 'legitimize' Club
Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
Pete and Stacie Urban
22360 Holly St. NW
Oak Grove, MN 55011
(763) 754-4019
Thank you for your support of ATVing in Minnesota!
Between April 1 and Aug. 1, ATVs cannot be operated within the right of way of a trunk, county or county state aid highway in the agricultural zone of Minnesota.
The agricultural zone is the area south of Highway 10 from the North Dakota border to St. Cloud; and from there eastward, the area south of Highway 23 to the junction of Highway 95 and east to the Wisconsin border.
“Basically, during these four months, you need to stay out of the road ditches completely in the agricultural zone,” said Capt. Randy Evans, DNR Southern Region Enforcement supervisor at New Ulm. “This is nesting season for wildlife and those road ditches provide some of the best nesting habitat available in many places.”
The only exception is if the ATV is being used exclusively as transportation to and from work on agricultural lands.
In addition to damage done to wildlife, ATVs in road ditches can cause erosion problems and even, in some cases, damage the roadbed itself.
DNR Enforcement Wetlands Team leader, Capt. Perry Bollum, said wetlands, rivers, lakes and bogs, and their adjacent shorelines are also at risk to motorized recreational damage.
“State law prohibits ATVs, dirt bikes and other off-road vehicles from traveling anywhere below the high-water mark of unfrozen lakes and rivers,” Bollum said. “In those areas the ground is soft, spongy and damp this time of year and can be easily damaged by illegal operation.”
Bollum added that all wetlands in the state are afforded protection from damage due to any off-highway vehicles (OHV). OHVs include ATVs, off-highway motorcycles and off-road vehicles.
According to Bollum low water levels exist across the state, exposing stretches of dry, sandy shoreline that normally would be underwater. He said these conditions are tempting to off-road enthusiasts.
Legislation passed in 2003 restricts OHV use of public land that is designated for nonmotorized use, and specifically restricts operating in unfrozen lakes and rivers listed in the state’s Public Waters Inventory. There are about 200,000 OHVs registered in the state, up from just 12,000 in 1984.
Conservation officers say grant-in-aid snowmobile and ski trails are closed to ATVs unless specifically allowed. Check the DNR Web site www.findthetrails.com for a list of trail closings in state forests.
Beginning Dec. 12, 2006, public use registration allows for the operation of Class 2 ATVs (machines weighing between 900 and 1,500 pounds) on the shoulder or extreme right side of county roads and state trunk highways and on the right side of township roads and city streets, if not prohibited by the road authority or other local laws.
Thank you for your support of ATVing in Minnesota!
The plan includes proposed designations for the Pat Bayle and Grand Portage state forests in Cook County, as well as for thousands of acres of "scattered lands" located outside of state forest boundaries throughout the county.
PROPOSED FOREST CLASSIFICATION
In Cook County, the DNR is proposing to retain the "managed" classification for the Grand Portage State Forest (routes open unless posted closed), but to classify the Pat Bayle as "limited," along with all scattered state forest lands located outside of state forest boundaries (routes closed unless posted open).
All state lands within the BWCAW are currently classified as "closed" to motor use and would remain so under this proposal.
EVALUATION OF ROUTES
In all, the DNR proposal makes recommendations for more than 200 miles of roads, trails and other inventoried routes on about 80,000 acres of state forest lands in Cook County. The proposal, which includes some existing route closures, will determine where motorized vehicles, including cars, trucks and off-highway vehicles, will be allowed to operate on state lands in Cook County.
This proposal is being made in consultation with Cook County, Grand Portage Band and Superior National Forest officials in ensure consistency across land ownerships. The goal is to make these proposed forest access changes more readily understandable and enforceable.
PUBLIC MEETINGS
The DNR is inviting public comment on this proposal. A public meeting on the Cook County proposal is planned for 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 22, at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts, 51 West Fifth Street, Grand Marais. The first hour will allow people to informally review the plan, maps and other summary materials. DNR and Superior National Forest representatives will answer questions regarding motorized access planning for state and federal lands in the county.
After this, DNR will present its proposal and respond to questions and comments. Written comments will be accepted at the meeting or through May 31 at the address below.
The DNR's Cook County forest classification and route designation proposals are available on the DNR Web site at www.findthetrails.com.
Copies may also be viewed at the Grand Marais Area Forestry Work Station at 1356 East Highway 61 in Grand Marais.
Written comments, questions or requests for copies of the planning documents should be directed to Brian McCann, DNR Trails & Waterways, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4052; to brian.mccann@dnr.state.mn.us or by calling (651) 259-5627 or toll free 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367).
Written comments on the draft proposal will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 31.
Thank you for your support of ATVing in Minnesota!
Chair: Rep. Kent Eken
Agenda: HF0896 (Doty) All-terrain vehicle account purposes modified, and gasoline usage attributable to all-terrain vehicle operation amount modified
HF419 (Sailer) Off-highway vehicle damage account modified
HF1507 (Olin) State trails acquisition authority and recreational vehicle requirements modified, off-highway vehicle safety and conservation program established, off-trail snowmobile use provided in certain state forests, and state trails modified
HF1127 (Moe) Four-by-four truck trail development restricted
HF1431 (Moe) Board of Water and Soil Resources membership modified
Thank you for your support of ATVing in Minnesota!
The DNR is proposing to maintain the current "managed" classification framework and to designate routes for highway-licensed and off-highway vehicles and other non-motorized uses.
The BISF planning team, which includes representatives from the DNR, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Roseau, Lake of the Woods and Beltrami county commissioners, is requesting that the public submit their comments on the proposal. The team has also been exchanging information with the Red Lake Band on parcels of lands it owns and manages within the forest boundaries.
Red Lake Band of the Chippewa lands is only open to tribal members, except by the express permission of the Red Lake Tribal Council for specific occurrences/events proposed by the Council.
"The team has spent the better part of a year creating a revised proposal for Beltrami Island that responds to the public comments received to date," said Mary Broten, Thief River Falls area Trails & Waterways supervisor. "The planning team has been very thoughtful in its consideration of public comments--often visiting field sites where more information was needed to make decisions. The team and cooperating agencies now encourage people to review and submit comments on the proposal so the work team can continue to incorporate that input."
The working draft maps include proposed areas closed to motorized use, existing and new walking/non-motorized trails, ATV trails, proactive closures of some routes, and minimum maintenance roads. The team and cooperators also identified additional needs to accommodate forest users, such as potential parking areas and support facilities.
PROPOSALS AND MAPS AVAILABLE NOW
The DNR classification proposal, road and trail designation plan, and related maps are on the DNR Web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us.
The DNR will accept written comments on the proposals until 4:30 p.m. on March 1. Comments and requests for copies of the planning documents should be submitted by mail to Jack Olson, DNR Trails & Waterways, 1601 Minnesota Drive, Brainerd, MN 56401, by phone (218) 833-8716, or by e-mail to jack.olson@dnr.state.mn.us.
www.atvam.org
"Ride as if everyone is watching; Talk as if everyone is listening . . ."
Three proposals were reviewed and selected as finalists by the DNR: one from St. Louis County, and two joint applications from Roseau and Lake of the Woods counties and Aitkin and Itasca counties. The DNR selected the Aitkin-Itasca proposal because it best matched the established criteria, including land availability, level of readiness and public involvement process. Itasca County has an existing cooperative agreement with Aitkin County.
"Public participation is critical in this first step," explained DNR Commissioner Mark Holsten. "The Aitkin-Itasca proposal identified several opportunities for public involvement, which was one of the criteria we looked at very closely."
Legislation passed in 2003 required the DNR to identify, design and develop a continuous trail at least 70 miles long. When complete, the Aitkin-Itasca proposal would create approximately 85 miles of recreational trail, and compliment the existing trail system in the area. The creation of the trail is in addition to the forest reclassification and recreational trail designation process currently underway in all 58 state forests.
"With the growth of motorized recreational vehicles, such as ATVs and OHMs, lawmakers saw an opportunity to enhance the economy of a group of local communities," said Sen. Tom Saxhaug, DFL-Grand Rapids. "I'd like to thank the DNR and Aitkin and Itasca counties for working together to increase recreational access in northern Minnesota."
Forrest Boe, DNR Division of Trails & Waterways director, said the first step is for the counties to recommend a trail location and design, and conduct an environmental review. There is nothing definite, as far as trail location is concerned, Boe explained. The public will have the opportunity to help design the trail and determine where it goes.
"This is an exciting opportunity," said Brian Napstad, county board chairperson. "We do have a variety of trails in the area, but nothing like this. People will now be able to park their vehicles at a variety of locations and have access to literally hundreds of miles of quality trails."
DNR Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Coordinator Ron Potter said the legislation requires trail placement on public land - county or state - that is suitable for the proposed activity.
An environmental assessment worksheet is also required which takes at least six months to compete, said Potter, who added there is a lot of work to be done before a new trail could be opened.
"Rural counties need positive developments like this to help maintain jobs, enhance tourism and sustain our economies," Napstad said. "Communities that act as trailheads or stops along the trail have the potential for real, sustainable, positive economic impacts.
"Once this trail is built and functioning, we also expect to see a reduction in enforcement actions and environmental issues as riders will have access to properly located, constructed and signed trails."
The DNR and cooperating agencies have co-hosted open houses in September/October 2006 so the public could review preliminary base maps of inventoried access routes and COMMENT ON CURRENT AND DESIRED FUTURE PUBLIC USES (motorized and non-motorized) of forestry-administered lands within the project area. The planning team will use the public comments to refine base maps and produce preliminary proposals for motorized use classifications and road and trail designations.
The goal of the coordinated planning effort is to create consistent access plans, which will best serve forest users within the West Central planning area. While the DNR, tribal and county land managers will ultimately develop their own forest road and trail plans for the lands they manage within each state forest's boundary, the agencies have formed this interagency working group to better coordinate each jurisdiction's plans.
Public comments received throughout the planning process will be shared among cooperating agencies, so interested parties need only submit comment once. Likewise, maps for the entire planning unit are available at: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/input/mgmtplans/ohv/designation/status.html scroll down to the bottom to “WEST CENTRAL GROUP” to view maps.
For more information or to send in comments, contact Bill Johnson, DNR Trails and Waterways planner at (651) 259-5643 or bill.johnson@dnr.state.mn.us.
Postal mailed comments can be sent to:
Bill Johnson
DNR Trails and Waterways – Box 52
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155-4040
Thank you for your continued support of ATVing in Minnesota.
The ATVAM Board
"Ride as if everyone is watching; Talk as if everyone is listening . . ."
7th Annual Basic Wilderness First Aid Class at REI
January, 2007 Classes at REI in Maple Grove, MN. (Click for map/directions.)
Friday, Jan. 26, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM; Saturday, Jan. 27, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM; Sunday, Jan. 28, 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Please read the following information carefully! Answers to almost every question we are commonly asked about the Wilderness First Aid classes can be found here or on our website.
The Backcountry Trail Patrol and Emergicare Medical Training will hold their 7th annual Basic Wilderness First Aid class at the new REI in Maple Grove, MN. The Basic (and Advanced) Wilderness First Aid classes are designed for anyone who recreates in the outdoors, with or without any prior training. We have had snowshoers and snowmobilers, ATV riders and MTB riders, hikers, skiers, dogsled mushers and 4-wheelers. We've also had doctors, nurses, lawyers, preachers and teachers take the classes. Anyone who wants to know what to do when things go wrong an hour or more from ambulances, doctors and hospitals is welcome and will benefit from the training.
Since there is already sufficient interest, an Advanced WFA course will be scheduled in March, 2007. (CPR Certification is part of the Advanced session.) You must successfully complete the Basic WFA program or have a card from another recognized wilderness medical training provider to take the advanced course. A new AWFA to Wilderness First Responder "bridge" class is being planned for April of 2007, if there are at least six people interested from the advanced session(s).
Course pricing and other information can be found by clicking at www.trailpatrol.org/medical.htm.
Registration closes at 5:00 PM, January 15, 2007, or when the maximum enrollment of 20 is reached. Closing of registration will be posted on the "trailpatrol.org" home page.
Hans Erdman, WEMT
Executive Director/Sr. Instructor
Backcountry Trail Patrol Association, Inc.
Emergicare Medical Training, Inc.
Cedar, MN
www.trailpatrol.org
www.wintersnowtrails.org
"My country isn't a country, it is the winter"- Gilles Vigneault
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) seeking public comment on ATV trail proposal
Nov. 28, 2006
DNR seeking public comment on ATV trail proposal
Public comment will be accepted by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on a proposed ATV trail in Olmsted and Fillmore counties until January 2, 2007.
The proposal would convert an existing 16.5-mile private trail into a grant-in-aid trail one mile east of Chatfield along State Highways 74 and 30. The trail predominantly runs through pasture, field edges, some wooded ravines and includes a scramble area in a sand pit. Both the landowners and the Bluff County ATV Club support the conversion and the City of Chatfield has tentatively agreed to sponsor the project. The ATV club would be responsible for trail maintenance.
The proposal would allow ATV’s to operate year-round, except for the month of November and during the spring thaw.
A map of the proposal will be posted on the DNR web site www.dnr.state.mn.us
Comments or questions should be directed to: Craig Blommer, Trails & Waterways Area Supervisor, 2300 Silver Creek Road NE, Rochester, MN 55906. Phone: (507) 280-5061 or email: craig.blommer@dnr.state.mn.us.
Thank you for your continued support of ATVing in Minnesota.
The ATVAM Board
"Ride as if everyone is watching; Talk as if everyone is listening . . ."