05-09-2007, 07:10 PM
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public comments on its draft forest classification and motor vehicle route designation plan for the Sturgeon River State Forest in northwestern St. Louis County. The plan includes a proposed motor-use classification and route designations for the Sturgeon River State Forest, and for adjacent DNR Forestry-administered lands located immediately outside of state forest boundaries. The DNR is also inviting comments on allowing motorized use on a portion of the Taconite Trail.
EVAULATION OF ROUTES AND PROPOSED DESIGNATIONS
In all, the plan makes recommendations for more than 180 miles of roads, trails and other inventoried routes on nearly 61,000 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 forest. This proposal was developed in cooperation with U.S. Forest Service and St. Louis County Land Department representatives in an effort to foster consistency across mixed public forest ownerships.
PROPOSED FOREST CLASSIFICATION
The DNR proposes to retain the "managed" classification (routes "open" unless posted closed) for all state forest lands located within the statutory boundaries of the Sturgeon River State Forest, and for those scattered state parcels that lie outside and immediately adjacent to the forest in northwestern St. Louis County.
TACONITE TRAIL PLAN AMENDMENT
Along with the forest classification process, the DNR proposes to amend the current Taconite State Trail Master Plan to allow motorized use on 4.7 miles of this existing 163-mile state snowmobile trail (Ely to Grand Rapids). This would complete a nearly 24-mile motorized trail loop in the forest. This plan amendment must be approved separately from the forest classification and route designation process. DNR is accepting comments on both proposals during this shared 60-day public comment period ending July 20.
LIMITATIONS ON OFF-TRAIL AND NONDESIGNATED TRAIL USE
Within the Sturgeon River State Forest, three areas totaling slightly more than 25,000 acres are proposed to receive special protections from vehicular use. These areas, ranging from 5,800 to 9,700 acres in size, consist of a mix of state and county-administered forest lands. They were selected based upon their high biodiversity rankings, the absence of major roads and/or trails, and their proximity to sensitive wildlife habitat, hydrologic features, or traditional non-motorized recreational use areas. Limitations on off-trail and nondesignated trail use by motorized hunters and trappers per state law are proposed for state lands within each of these sites. County lands within these areas will be managed similarly.
PUBLIC REVIEW MEETING AT IRONWORLD JULY 10
A public meeting on the road and trail access proposal and the Taconite Trail amendment will be held on Tuesday, July 10, at the Ironworld Discovery Center located approximately 1.5 hours north of Duluth, and west of Virginia at 801 Southwest Highway 169 in Chisholm. The meeting will be from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The first hour of the public meeting will allow people to informally review the plan, maps and other summary materials. DNR, U.S. Forest Service and St. Louis County Land Department representatives will be available 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 AVAILABLE
The forest classification and route designation proposals and the Taconite Trail amendment are available on the DNR Web site at www.findthetrails.com.
Copies may also be viewed during regular business hours at the DNR 's Tower Area Office, 650 Highway 169, Tower.
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 both the forest classification proposal and the plan to amend the Taconite State Trail Plan will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. Friday, July 20.
EVAULATION OF ROUTES AND PROPOSED DESIGNATIONS
In all, the plan makes recommendations for more than 180 miles of roads, trails and other inventoried routes on nearly 61,000 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 forest. This proposal was developed in cooperation with U.S. Forest Service and St. Louis County Land Department representatives in an effort to foster consistency across mixed public forest ownerships.
PROPOSED FOREST CLASSIFICATION
The DNR proposes to retain the "managed" classification (routes "open" unless posted closed) for all state forest lands located within the statutory boundaries of the Sturgeon River State Forest, and for those scattered state parcels that lie outside and immediately adjacent to the forest in northwestern St. Louis County.
TACONITE TRAIL PLAN AMENDMENT
Along with the forest classification process, the DNR proposes to amend the current Taconite State Trail Master Plan to allow motorized use on 4.7 miles of this existing 163-mile state snowmobile trail (Ely to Grand Rapids). This would complete a nearly 24-mile motorized trail loop in the forest. This plan amendment must be approved separately from the forest classification and route designation process. DNR is accepting comments on both proposals during this shared 60-day public comment period ending July 20.
LIMITATIONS ON OFF-TRAIL AND NONDESIGNATED TRAIL USE
Within the Sturgeon River State Forest, three areas totaling slightly more than 25,000 acres are proposed to receive special protections from vehicular use. These areas, ranging from 5,800 to 9,700 acres in size, consist of a mix of state and county-administered forest lands. They were selected based upon their high biodiversity rankings, the absence of major roads and/or trails, and their proximity to sensitive wildlife habitat, hydrologic features, or traditional non-motorized recreational use areas. Limitations on off-trail and nondesignated trail use by motorized hunters and trappers per state law are proposed for state lands within each of these sites. County lands within these areas will be managed similarly.
PUBLIC REVIEW MEETING AT IRONWORLD JULY 10
A public meeting on the road and trail access proposal and the Taconite Trail amendment will be held on Tuesday, July 10, at the Ironworld Discovery Center located approximately 1.5 hours north of Duluth, and west of Virginia at 801 Southwest Highway 169 in Chisholm. The meeting will be from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The first hour of the public meeting will allow people to informally review the plan, maps and other summary materials. DNR, U.S. Forest Service and St. Louis County Land Department representatives will be available 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 AVAILABLE
The forest classification and route designation proposals and the Taconite Trail amendment are available on the DNR Web site at www.findthetrails.com.
Copies may also be viewed during regular business hours at the DNR 's Tower Area Office, 650 Highway 169, Tower.
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 both the forest classification proposal and the plan to amend the Taconite State Trail Plan will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. Friday, July 20.