Unpopular and divisive CVSF Plan Approved by DNR Commissioner

DNR releases off-road plan for Cloquet Valley State Forest

By JOHN MYERS, Duluth News Tribune

DULUTH - "The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources today announced its final rules on where off-highway vehicles can ride in the Cloquet Valley State Forest near Duluth. The plan will allow OHVs on all routes unless they are posted closed, the agency's so-called managed designation."

"But it's a blow to many residents and environmental groups who wanted tighter controls on ATVs and other off-roaders." More of this article....

Friends CVSF says : The OHV incursion into traditional hunter and walking areas is creating increasing tension in the forest. Several Range Legislators are forcing this untenible situation including Tom Bakk and David Dill

Read more about OHVs and Invasive Species.

DNR asks for advice -- but does it listen?

A recent decision by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to allow large "platform" docks in public waters fronting Minnesota lake cabins has brought on a lot more than a chorus of concern that room-size docks would change the aesthetics and biology of shore lands.   

It has aggravated what appears to be an ever-growing divide between the DNR and those volunteer advisory groups who feel their advice is ignored. It's also added heat to simmering discontent among agency staff over decision-making that some feel has become too politicized.   More of this article....

"There is genuine concern among professional staff that Minnesota is not managing its natural resources and ecosystems in a sustainable manner, and that problems are accelerating," said Paul Stolen of the DNR regional office in Bemidji. More Here....

Off Road Vehicle Lobbyists have effectively lobbied our legislature and our County Board to give them all the trails in the forest they can squash their 4 wheeled tanks down. The tires rip the ground cover away and make a path for invasive species. Habitat is destroyed, waters of lakes, rivers and streams are dirtied and wildlife is disturbed.

Invasive Species Editorial

Recently the St. Louis County Agriculture Inspector brought a petition signed by 67 townships asking for the invasive plant, Spotted Knapweed, to be added to the primary invasive species list. The St. Louis County Board received the petition but the commissioners who led opposition to increasing efforts against the weed stated that the petition was a plot to gain restrictions over ATV's. It is unfortunate that some commissioners have again viewed issues through the special lens of their pet projects. Their fears were both unfounded in intent of the townships in asking for the restriction and in the relationship of off road vehicles to primary infestations. Further, where off road vehicles are kept on properly selected and maintained routes, they are carefully monitored for invasive species. It is only in the strange system of management north of Highway Two (clung to by those with the ATV industry not the rights of the people to have a healthy forest in mind) that vehicles are left to roam on un maintained trails - and through no fault of their own spread the invasive's that are so harmful to forests (as does any animal or vehicle passing through the sticky - heavily seeding plant group).

The timber industry is critical to our region and it is important to steward that industry long into the future.   Invasive species are indeed a threat to the timber industry and that industry has taken great strides in protecting the resources it depends upon for livelihoods many generations into the future.   Both the Forest Stewardship Council, that certifies the DNR maintained forests of our region and the SFI group that certifies St. Louis County lands (comparison here) are keenly aware of the issue.

It’s good for citizens to be informed about invasive species that are in our region are.   Some of the ones currently of concern are Buckthorn, Spotted Knapweed, Leafy Spurge, Canada Thistle and Tansy.  The DNR has great resources on this.   One very good link is http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/index.html.  

Emerald Ash Borer is another threat to our forest, this is an insect transported in firewood.   A local retailer accidentally sold some that was from an infested area.  Watch the video from the DNR to learn about how you can help control Emerald Ash Borer and why you should.

Spotted Knapweed is an invasive that looks pretty in bloom but not so when it's past that point.   It crowds out other plants, actually exuding a chemical that makes it hard for other plants to grow, and is getting a real foothold in the area.   Hay is a big agricultural product for our region and if this gets in a hay field or pasture it can make cattle sick, ruin the value of the hay and spoil the area for wild habitat.  It can also make it difficult for new red pine to thrive.  

So if you find the pretty green and yellow Leafy Spurge in your yard - pull it up.  If you find Spotted Knapweed put some gloves on before you pull it, it can irritate skin.  And best to start early, these weeds spread and can be a real pain to get rid of.  Spotted Knapweed usually gets it's start in an area when gravel is trucked in or an area is left bare and open, you might think it looks like aster or chicory.  

If you see a patch of an invasive or "noxious" weed not on your property but on public property, like Leafy Spurge or Spotted Knapweed, call the St.Louis County Land Department or the DNR and they'll take proper measures.

Our forest is lovely to play in, of benefit to the whole world as a resource. 

Frustrated Property Owners Want ATV Ban Along Co. 40 Sarah Smith

Park Rapids Enterprise - 10/04/2008

ATV traffic in ditches is getting out of control.

That’s the message a group of frustrated property owners brought to the Hubbard County Board of Commissioners Wednesday at the board’s regular meeting.

It was the group’s third appearance before the board, and they didn’t mince words.

“Where does this go?” questioned resident Marsha Lavine. “It’s not pleasant for us” to keep coming here asking for help controlling the problem.

“We expect you to act,” Lavine said, noting the residents had presented the board a petition in 2007 requesting a ban on ATV and off-road vehicles along County Road 40.

“You have a responsibility to protect us, to maintain our ditches. We don’t want to come here and chide you,” she said.

“It’s not pleasant for us either,” responded board chair Cal Johannsen.

Commissioners admitted they didn’t form a committee to study the issue as the residents had requested in 2007 and they didn’t act on the residents’ petition. They likewise didn’t see eye-to-eye with the residents about the extent of the erosion, wetlands and safety issues Lavine and supporters were concerned about.

“I agree with you on the safety issue,” said commissioner Dick Devine, a retired State Patrol trooper. He admitted he doesn’t like ATVs or motorcycles, but said he’s not in a position to ban them.

“I’m not sure you can legislate common sense,” Devine added. “These things are legal.”

“You can’t legislate traffic in the ditches,” the board agreed.

“The state of Minnesota says you can legislate traffic in ditches,” argued resident Ron Lindahl.

Commissioner Lyle Robinson said if ATV traffic is banned from certain rights-of-way, that ban would need to be policed. “Who will pay for it?” he asked the residents about the cost of enforcement.

Lavine implored the board to enact the ban because two ATV riders have been killed this summer. That brought protests from commissioners who argued that at least one death was on private property and it was questionable whether the other one was actually on a highway right-of-way.

“I don’t want to wait until someone dies in a ditch,” Lavine said. Many driveways along County Road 40 have no visibility to the sunken ditches, and heayy tree cover further limits seeing ATV riders approaching, she indicated.

“Believe me, I have experience losing a child in a car accident,” Johannsen responded. “You can’t legislate public safety. We have to do what’s right for all of Hubbard County, not just those that live on Highway 40.”

Robinson said he traveled County Road 40 after heavy rains last weekend. “I do not see the damage you see,” he said. “I would not support it (the ban).”

County engineer Dave Olsonawski confirmed that there was some erosion damage in the Blue Lake area, and that he had some safety concerns. He took no position on whether ATV traffic should be banned.

Because the residents have visited the board during the “public comments” portion of the meetings, the board agreed to formally place them and the ATV issue on the agenda some time in the future so both sides can have their say in the debate.

“You can bring it to the board but I’m not gonna vote for it,” Devine told the group.

“We’ll need a meeting room about three times this size,” Johannsen said, surveying the commission chamber.