05-22-2007, 08:10 PM
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a public meeting on June 12, in Silver Bay to seek public input on proposed forest access proposals for state forest lands in Lake County. The plan includes proposed forest classification and route designations for Finland State Forest and scattered DNR forest lands located outside of state forest boundaries throughout the county.
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.
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.