|
From this month's Conservation Volunteer :
Test Time for OHV Trails
Rick Dunkley, DNR Forestry area supervisor in Pine County, estimates 200 "wheelers" -- users of off-highway vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles, motocross bikes, and Jeeps -- rode the trails and forest roads in the Nemadji State Forest during this past Memorial Day weekend.
Nemadji and other state forests in Pine County have long been popular places for off-roaders. But this was the first holiday that OHVers encountered an established trail network with posted signs in Nemadji. The result was a "mixed bag," says Lt. Rita Frenzel, a conservation officer supervisor in Pine County.
"I think more people were steered [by trail signs] to where they should go with OHVs," says Frenzel.
But Frenzel also says that more OHV riders are showing up in Nemadji these days, and consequently she's seeing more violations such as operating OHVs at unsafe speeds and recklessly.
Like Nemadji, the other three state forests in Pine County -- St. Croix, General Andrews, and Chengwatana -- are getting the first big tests of their newly designated OHV trail networks this year. As mandated by the state Legislature and cited by forest certification auditors (see "Stamped and Certified," May-June 2006), the DNR is in the process of classifying all 58 state forests for motor vehicle use. Some are being classified as "closed" (all DNR forest roads and trails closed to OHVs), some as "limited" (trails open only if posted with signs saying open to OHVs), and some as "managed" (all trails open to OHVs unless posted with closed signs).
So far, the DNR has evaluated and designated 18 state forests for motorized use. The classification process began in 2003 when the DNR conducted an exhaustive inventory in every state forest of every visible trail established by the DNR, cut for logging, or created by forest users. More than 11,000 miles of existing trails were found in the inventory.
Now DNR planning teams -- comprised of staff from five DNR divisions -- are analyzing every mile of those trails in state forests. In designating or decommissioning trails for motorized use, the teams consider factors such as proximity to steep slopes, wetlands, or other sensitive natural areas identified by the Minnesota County Biological Survey. The process includes public meetings with groups such as local citizens, OHV users, and environmental advocates.
"The purpose of all this is to look at the trails that are already there, and then have discussions and decide which routes ought to be open to motor vehicles as a designated, signed forest road or trail and which ones ought to be closed to motorized uses," says DNR recreation planner Brian McCann, one of four planners assigned to the OHV trail classification effort.
So far, about half of the existing trails found in the state forest inventory have been closed to recreational motorized use. Designated OHV routes in state forests are published online by the DNR at www.findthetrails.com.
Joe Russell, DNR Trails and Waterways area supervisor in Pine County, says that OHV users will need to adapt now that designated trails are established.
"I'm a walleye angler, and in some ways it is similar to the changes in fishing regulations," says Russell. "In the past I didn't have to worry about slot limits. Now, when I fish a lake, I must read the fishing regulations booklet and look for posted signs at the access. I know I'm accountable for the slot limits designated for that lake.
"All users need to know the rules for the recreational activity that they engage in."
Increased enforcement will also follow the new trail designations. In General Andrews State Forest, for example, a plane flown by conservation officers caught ATVers operating illegally and causing damage in an area called Blueberry Hill.
Dunkley, who oversees forest management in General Andrews State Forest, is cautiously optimistic that the designated trails will make it easier to police OHVs. "I'm hopeful," he says. "But there have been problems and damage in General Andrews. And we'll take a look at closing that state forest [to OHVs] during certain times of the year if things don't get better."
OHV-user clubs are playing a major role in preventing future damage and promoting responsible riding. The Washington/Ramsey County Wheelers club manages more than 20 miles of grant-in-aid ATV trails in Nemadji. The club has built 12 bridges over sensitive terrain such as streams. "We're all about making ATV trails sustainable and protecting the environment," says club trail maintenance coordinator Alex Chester.
Chester says he thinks things are getting better for ATVs in state forests now that signs clearly indicate where OHVs are allowed. But he also agrees policing is part of the equation too.
"There are places for people who want to go out in the mud -- like the OHV park in Gilbert," says Chester. "But there's a certain number of people … who refuse to obey rules about trails and wetlands. I hope enforcement catches those people."
Chester is preparing plans for his club to build ATV boardwalks over soft ground, even on trails already designated as open to OHV use.
He says, "Anything we can do to protect trails from erosion and rutting, we'll do it."
Gustave Axelson, managing editor
Six Strategies for Success: Effective Enforcement of Off-Road Vehicles on Public Lands
Over the past two decades, advances in off-road vehicle technology have
enabled riders to drive on nearly any type of terrain, up steep slopes,
and onto lands that once were accessible only on foot. At the same
time, the popularity of off-road vehicle recreation has soared.
Together, these forces have overwhelmed the regulatory and
enforcement efforts of public lands agencies. The results: An extensive
network of unauthorized, usercreated routes that criss-cross the
landscape and a legacy of damage to environmental and cultural
resources. Safety concerns for humans and wildlife and conflicts among
motorized and non-motorized recreationists have escalated.
Public land management agencies are facing these challenges with
inadequate enforcement funding and staff. This leaves them unable to
protect the lands under their stewardship, and at a loss to turn around
the attitude of lawlessness that is alarmingly common among off-road
riders. The common perception among off-road riders is that breaking
the rules some of the time is all right, especially if someone else has
ridden off-route before and cut a visible trail. This has become a
significant public problem because of the destructive capabilities of
off-road vehicles.
A strong commitment and effective approaches to enforcement are
critically important for land managers to take control of this
situation.
This report recommends six strategies for enforcement success. It is
based on interviews with more than 50 public land managers, private
landowners, citizen group leaders and volunteers, and law enforcement
officers.
Five case studies illustrate how these strategies have been combined
to create on-the-ground successes in enforcing off-road vehicle rules;
protecting wildlife habitat, water quality, and terrain; enhancing
recreational enjoyment and safety; and minimizing impacts on adjacent
public and private lands.
Six Strategies for Effective Enforcement
1) Make a commitment - Engage in serious enforcement efforts
- Expand enforcement capacity;
- Target and intensify patrol efforts;
- Look for new funding sources; and
- Do not tolerate damage from off-road vehicles.
2) Lay the groundwork - Create enforceable routes and regulations.
- Create off-road vehicle route systems with an eye toward enforceability;
- Make the route systems clear on maps and on the ground; and
- Implement a system that identifies off-road vehicles or limits their numbers.
3) See and be seen - Engage in visible action and eaningful collaboration.
- Organize and publicize volunteer labor;
- Form broad coalitions for public support;
- Formalize law enforcement collaborations;
- Create opportunities for citizen reporting;
- Use nonprofit status to gather money; and
- Publicize progress.
4) Make riders responsible - Promote a culture shift among peers.
- Use mass media campaigns to educate riders and cultivate support;
- Work with off-road community leadership;
- Focus on common values; and
- Promote rider responsibility.
5) Use the force - Incorporate technologies that work.
- Use remote electronic monitoring;
- Track noise violations; and
- Track recurring problems and repeat offenders.
6) Fit the punishment to the crime - Make penalties meaningful.
- Toughen penalties;
- Consider natural resource damage in determining fines;
- Add community service as a penalty; and
- Link off-road violations with other recreational privileges; and
- Impound vehicles.
Read the full press release here.
The Forest
reclassification and road/trail designation process is underway for the Cloquet
Valley State Forest.
Please request a Limited Classification for the Forest
The Cloquet Valley State Forest is
located just north of Duluth
Public Feedback
Write to those listed below, ask for them to:
- Classify the Cloquet
Valley State
Forest as Limited
Send
Feedback to :
St. Louis County Commissioners
Bill Kron kronb@co.st-louis.mn.us
Commissioner Kron is Chair of the St. Louis County Board, be sure to include
him so that the entire board is able to be aware of your perspective.
Steve
O'Neil <OneilS@co.st-louis.mn.us>
Mike Forsman <forsmanm@co.st-louis.mn.us>
Keith Nelson <nelsonk@co.st-louis.mn.us
Peggy Sweeney <sweeneyp@co.st-louis.mn.us>
Dennis Fink <finkd@co.st-louis.mn.us>
Steve Raukar<raukars@co.st-louis.mn.us
Send
copies to your legislators senate
house
Copy your letter to the governor and DNR Commissioner | Name: |
Mark Holsten |
| Title: |
Commissioner-Natural Resources |
| Agency: |
Natural Resources Dept |
| Address1: |
500 Lafayette Rd |
| Address2: |
Box 37 |
| MailStop: |
|
| City/State/Zip: |
St Paul, MN 551554037 |
| E-Mail Address: |
Mark.Holsten@state.mn.us
|
| Telephone Number: |
651/259-5022 |
Keep a copy and send one to friends@friendscvsf.org
You could also copy to your township
board members, Lake Associations and Road Associations. These
organizations can take action most effectively with regard to specific trails
as well as calling for better forest management and by requesting a Closed or
Limited Classification for the forest.
The
DNR will review your letter and identify and categorize your observations.
Review
other
feedback they have received so that you understand the process.
Please
include specific suggestions for areas that should be closed or that should
have changes from the plan.
Public Meetings
were held
News Tribune Details on Meeting
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF ATV USE
DNR INTERNAL DOCUMENT
REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE OF PEER REVIEWED STUDY
|
If
you do only one thing to help the Cloquet
Valley State Forest,
the forest closest to Duluth,
submit feedback
- Ask for a limited classification for the Cloquet
Valley State
Forest.
The
issue of signs comes up when reflecting on which forest designation to
choose. Under limited, signs are required at trail heads and at
intervals (Captain Ken Soring says the intervals are flexible) vs under
managed where No Tresspassing signs are one of the reasonable efforts
required for compensation for damage to property from the OHV
account.
Private property
needs signing to keep OHV/ATV traffic off. Driving along the roads in
the CVSF one sees no tresspassing signs - these will be required to
keep traffic off under a managed scenario. It seems to be a
misconception that under Limited there will be more signs and expense,
in that the expense is transferred to individuals directly under the
managed scenario, and the signs that will be in evidence will be no
tresspassing signs. Under a Limited designation the only signs visible from the road will be at trail heads.
That sounds alot more afordable and practical to us.OHV Questions and Answers, MN DNR Damage Account
The following Organizations Support a Limited Classification for the Cloquet
Valley State Forest
- The Friends of the Cloquet
Valley State
Forest strongly advocates
the Limited Designation
Izaak Walton League
Minnesota Fish and
Wildlife Employees Association
League of
Women Voters, Minnesota and Duluth
Minnesota Chapter of the
American Fisheries Society
Society of American
Foresters, Minnesota Chapter
Minnesota Chapter
of the Wildlife Society
Friends
of the Boundary Waters
The
Forest Must Be Designated as one of the following : Closed, Limited or
Managed.
- Under a Closed
Classification the forest is closed to all off road traffic.
- Under a Limited Classification, off road vehicles must stay on designated trails, that are
marked as open to them.
- Under a limited
designation there will only be off road access allowed on designated
trails.
- exceptions exist for
hunting and trapping.
- Under a
"managed" designated GIA trails will be signed and have
advertising, forest access routes will all be open unless marked closed,
additionally private land may require specific No Tresspassing signs to
keep traffic off private lands.
- Under a Managed system
ATVs may go on any trail that is not signed as closed. New Mapping
law will publicize maps with all routes open to OHVs except Forest
Access Routes (also open)
- The Managed
Designation leaves the forest too vulnerable to abuse.
Township Resolutions
Click to read :
Townships including Alden, Gnesen, Pequaywan and Fairbanks and Ault have
passed resolutions opposing ATV plans in the CVSF. Forest.
|
If you do only one thing to help the Cloquet
Valley State Forest,
the forest closest to Duluth, let
it be an email to all of those listed below that asks them to put the
protection of the northern forests above ATV recreational desires.
- The Friends of the Cloquet
Valley State
Forest strongly advocates
the Limited Designation
- Trails that have both
local approval
- Trails that have had environmental
review.
- The Izaak Walton
League, the League of Women Voters Minnesota and Duluth, The Friends of
the Boundary Waters and Minnesotans for Responsible Recreation all
advocate for the same or similar protections for our forest from these
destructive vehicles.
- Under the Limited
Designation, off road vehicles must stay on designated trails, that are
marked as open to them. Under the Managed system ATVs may go
on any trail that is not marked Closed, which creates a dangerous
situation for the forest.
- Ask for a limited
designation for the Cloquet Valley
State Forest.
- Keep traffic on
designated trails marked OPEN
- Provide adequate
enforcement to keep ATVs on the trails - both on County and DNR
Lands
- Maintenance for
damaged lands, both county and DNR
- County
Budget For Trail Enforcement
and Management
- Perform Environmental
Assessment of all Trails
- Obtain Local approval
for all trails
When you provide feedback
- identify specific
places that are damaged by ATVs/ OHVs or which
- identify areas of great
beauty or other value that could be harmed
- contact
friends@friendscvsf.org for assistance with GPS / photo documentation if
you do not have experience with GPS documentation. It's important
to photograph the GPS display at the position where you are
photographing.
- reflect upon
experiences you cherish in the forest, about particular places, many or
few. Think about sounds, about trails that are not muddy, not
rutted, about being able to walk around and have some quiet without
worrying that someone is going to come around a corner at full tilt when
your child or dog is in the trail in front of you. Tell them
what it is you really value about the forest.
- Think about specific
places that are important and special to you. Think about
where there are going to be problems if ATVs and off-road motorcycles
are racing around. Go to the places you want to
protect, and where trails are proposed, bring your digital camera.
- If there are places
that have been damaged by ATVs take photos of those too, but also of
favorite locations, like pristine wetlands next to roads or proposed ATV
trails.
- If you have a
GPS take it along, set the camera’s clock correctly so you know when the
photo was taken (even if they don’t show up on the camera the data
file will contain the data) If you take a GPS along
take the first photo of the unit when it is turned on in the field with
the screen showing the date time and location so you can synchronize it
with the exact location.
- Think about specific
kinds of ecological effects : Habitat degradation due to wildlife
disturbance from higher traffic and higher motorized route density; more
habitat fragmentation for Herpetofauna (turtles); more serious
spread of non-native invasive species along trails and routes, and then from
these trails and routes into sensitive places. Because ATVs are
designed to go, and inevitably will go, off –trail into those sensitive
places; erosion; sedimentation.
- Think about specific
kinds of social effects: displacement of people from traditional uses
and traditional forms of outdoor recreation (Birding, wildlife watching,
hunting under one’s own power, x-county skiing, walking)
- Think about
cumulative effects. This isn’t the only cunk of land that’s
being put through this process. The DNR and county have to
consider not just the effects of this project on it’s own, but the
cumulative effects of putting large amounts of motorized trails all
through public lands all over the state. For a social
exam;le, consider the fact that state forests everywhere are getting
designated motorized trails snaked into every little corner,
particularly on the uplands. In many state forests, and also
on federal lands, all the significant upland areas where people can go
have ATV trails to or through them. People who want to get
more than ½ mile or ¾ of a mile from any ATV trail often have to trek
through lots of wetlands to get to such areas, if any are
available. This is completely inequitable, and walks all
over the desires of a substantial majority of the population who do not
and never will own and ATV, who prefer to do things using their body,
who enjoy the sounds of the outdoors instead of having an engine and
engine noise following them everywhere. Now the cumulative
effect of all this is that folks who prefer non-motorized experience
will have even less opportunity in the region of this state
forest.
- Think about how many
miles of road and trail and road ditch are open to ATV traffic within
100 miles of the outside border of the state forest.
- Think about the
position papers of all the professional and scientific groups.
- Remember the animals
: consider the impact on the animals. When there is more disturbance and higher density of roads and
trails, measured as miles of road and motorized trail per square mile of
habitat.
- The Friends of the Cloquet
Valley State
Forest is asking the DNR to
extend the time for submitting comments, because people need to be able
to get out there and see the poroposed trails and spring break up is not
the best time for that. The DNR has been very clear that it does not
intend to extend the feedback period.
- The DNR’s Fish and
Wildlife Employee’s Association says that a “managed” forest is
more expensive and is essentially unmanageable and unenforceable.
- Everyone in the
state owns these state forest. They don’t belong to one
particular locale. Even the “county lands’ are in fact
“county-administered lands” and are actually state-owned, held in trust
for the counties with timber receipts going to the county.
- A limited designation
simply means that off road vehicles must stay on trails designed for
them, and these trails will need to meet the standards set forth for
Grant in aid trails by the DNR, there are provisions that allow hunters
and trappers to go off trails during their seasons and permits must be
provided to people with leased or owned property over County
lands. All of Minnesota
south of Highway Two MUST be designated Limited, it is optional above
Highway Two and there is industry pressure to make it
"managed". The "Managed" system was
inserted into the law during the contentious 2005 legislative session in
a late night deal. It brings many more vehicles in contact
with streams, wetlands and rivers, contributing to poor water quality
and degrading habitat for fish and other aquatic wildlife.
- The
"Limited" system provides for sustainable trails upon which
riders may ride on any trail marked open to them. There are
special provisions providing opportunities for hunters and trappers to
have broad access to the forest during their seasons. This
system supports water quality and good hunting.
This is the link to the DNR's page on the issue.
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/input/mgmtplans/ohv/designation/status.html
Ecological education: "One of the penalties of an ecological
education is that one lives alone in a world of wounds. Much of the damage
inflicted on land is quite invisible to laymen. An ecologist must either
harden his shell and make believe that the consequences of science are none
of his business, or he must be the doctor who sees the marks of death in a
community that believes itself well and does not want to be told otherwise.
The government tells us we need flood control and comes to straighten the
creek in our pasture. The engineer on the job tells us the creek is now able
to carry off more flood water, but in the process we lost our old willows
where the cows switched flies in the noon
shade, and where the owl hooted on a winter night. We lost the little marshy
spot where our fringed gentians bloomed."
---Aldo Leopold, 1887-1948
Sending
feedback to the plan due 4:30 p.m.
on Friday, June 29, 2007
|
The The Forest reclassification and road/trail designation process is
underway for the Cloquet Valley State Forest.
Please request a Limited Designation for the ForestThe Cloquet Valley State Forest is located just north of Duluth
Click here for Map showing location of Cloquet Valley State ForestPublic Feedback
Write to those listed below, ask for them to:
- Designate the Cloquet Valley State Forest as Limited
Send Feedback to : St. Louis County Commissioners also need to hear from you, tell them you want the limited designation and why:
Public Meetings Everyone is encouraged to be at the public meetings. The people
who believe in sustainable management of the forest need to be present.
Our County Commissioners value the presence of people and participation
of the citizens at meetings. Show them you care.
The first meeting 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.
| If
you do only one thing to help the Cloquet Valley State Forest, the
forest closest to Duluth, submit feedback
- Ask for a limited designation for the Cloquet Valley State Forest.
The following Organizations Support a Limited Designation for the Cloquet Valley State Forest
- The
Friends of the Cloquet Valley State Forest strongly advocates the Limited Designation
Izaak
Walton League
Minnesota Fish and Wildlife
Employees Association
League of Women
Voters, Minnesota and Duluth
Minnesota Chapter of the
American Fisheries Society
Society of American Foresters,
Minnesota Chapter
Minnesota
Chapter of the Wildlife Society
Friends of the
Boundary Waters
- Under a Closed Designation the forest is closed to all off road traffic.
- Under a Managed system ATVs may go on any
trail that is not signed as closed.
- Under
the Limited
Designation, off road vehicles must stay on designated trails, that are
marked as open to them.
|
|
MapsIf
you do only one thing to help the Cloquet Valley State Forest, the
forest closest to Duluth, let it be an email to all of those listed
below that asks them to put the protection of the northern forests above ATV recreational desires. - The
Friends of the Cloquet Valley State Forest strongly advocates the Limited Designation
- Trails that have both local approval
- and environmental review.
- The
Izaak Walton League, the League of
Women Voters Minnesota and Duluth, The Friends of the Boundary Waters
and Minnesotans for Responsible Recreation all advocate for the same or
similar protections for our forest from these destructive vehicles.
- Under
the Limited
Designation, off road vehicles must stay on designated trails, that are
marked as open to them. Under the Managed system ATVs may go on any
trail that is not marked Closed, which creates a dangerous situation
for the forest.
- Ask for a limited designation for the Cloquet Valley State Forest.
- Keep traffic on designated trails marked OPEN
- Provide adequate enforcement to keep ATVs on the trails - both on County and DNR Lands
- Maintenance for damaged lands, both county and DNR
- County Budget For Trail Enforcement and Management
- Perform Environmental Assessment of all Trails
- Obtain Local approval for all trails
Write to : Brian McCann< brian.mccann@dnr.state.mn.us
<mailto:brian.mccann@dnr.state.mn.us>
Brian McCann, Planner
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Box
52, 500
Lafayette Road
St.
Paul, MN
55155-4052
Phone: (651) 259-5627 or Toll Free 1-888-MINNDNR
E-mail: brian.mccann@dnr.state.mn.us
AND write to St. Louis County Commissioners also need to hear from you, tell them you want the limited designation and why: Bill Kron< kronb@co.st-louis.mn.us
Chair of the St. Louis County Board, be sure to include him so that the entire board is able to be aware of your perspective. Steve O'Neil <OneilS@co.st-louis.mn.us>
Mike Forsman <forsmanm@co.st-louis.mn.us>
Keith Nelson < nelsonk@co.st-louis.mn.us
Peggy Sweeney <sweeneyp@co.st-louis.mn.us>
Dennis Fink <finkd@co.st-louis.mn.us>
Steve Raukar< raukars@co.st-louis.mn.us
Send copies to your legislators senate houseCommitties : senate houseCopy
your letter to the governor and DNR Commissioner also. Keep a copy and send one to friends@friendscvsf.org
You could also copy to your township board members,
Lake Associations and Road Associations. These bodies can take action
most effectively with regard to specific trails as well as calling for
better forest management and by requesting a Closed, Limited or
"managed" Designation for the forest. MOST IMPORTANT :
Remember to request a designated trails only
policy for the Cloquet Valley State Forest. This is called a "limited
classification" by the DNR/legislature
The DNR will review your letter and identify and categorize your observations. Review other feedback they have received so that you understand the process.
When writing to the DNR/Commissioners, it is
important to be factual and specific. Tell them what you think and
why.
When you provide feedback
- identify specific places that are damaged by ATVs/ OHVs or which
- identify areas of great beauty or other value that could be harmed
- contact
friends@friendscvsf.org for assistance with GPS / photo documentation
if you do not have experience with GPS documentation. It's important
to photograph the GPS display at the position where you are
photographing.
- reflect upon experiences you cherish in
the forest, about particular places, many or few. Think about sounds, about trails that are not
muddy, not rutted, about being able to walk around and have some quiet without
worrying that someone is going to come around a corner at full tilt when your
child or dog is in the trail in front of you.
Tell them what it is you really value about the forest.
- Think about specific places that are important and special to
you. Think about where there are going
to be problems if ATVs and off-road motorcycles are racing around. Go to the places you want to protect, and
where trails are proposed, bring your digital camera.
- If there are places that have been damaged by ATVs take
photos of those too, but also of favorite locations, like pristine wetlands
next to roads or proposed ATV trails.
- If you have a GPS
take it along, set the camera’s clock correctly so you know when the photo was
taken (even if they don’t show up on the
camera the data file will contain the data)
If you take a GPS along take the first photo of the unit when it is
turned on in the field with the screen showing the date time and location so
you can synchronize it with the exact location.
- Think about specific kinds of ecological effects : Habitat
degradation due to wildlife disturbance from higher traffic and higher
motorized route density; more habitat fragmentation for Herpetofauna (turtles); more serious spread
of non-native invasive species along trails and routes, and then from these
trails and routes into sensitive places. Because ATVs are
designed to go, and inevitably will go, off –trail into those sensitive places;
erosion; sedimentation.
- Think about specific kinds of social effects: displacement
of people from traditional uses and traditional forms of outdoor recreation
(Birding, wildlife watching, hunting under one’s own power, x-county skiing,
walking)
- Think about cumulative effects. This isn’t the only cunk of land that’s
being put through this process. The DNR
and county have to consider not just the effects of this project on it’s own,
but the cumulative effects of putting large amounts of motorized trails all
through public lands all over the state.
For a social exam;le, consider the fact that state forests everywhere
are getting designated motorized trails snaked into every little corner, particularly
on the uplands. In many state forests,
and also on federal lands, all the significant upland areas where people can go
have ATV trails to or through them.
People who want to get more than ½ mile or ¾ of a mile from any ATV
trail often have to trek through lots of wetlands to get to such areas, if any
are available. This is completely
inequitable, and walks all over the desires of a substantial majority of the
population who do not and never will own and ATV, who prefer to do things using
their body, who enjoy the sounds of the outdoors instead of having an engine
and engine noise following them everywhere.
Now the cumulative effect of all this is that folks who prefer
non-motorized experience will have even less opportunity in the region of this
state forest.
- Think about how many miles of road and trail and road
ditch are open to ATV traffic within 100 miles of the outside border of the
state forest.
- Think about the position papers of all the professional and scientific groups.
- Remember the animals : The Canada Lynx are not as secure in places with
higher amounts of motorized traiffic, more disturbance and higher density of
roads and trails, measured as miles of road and motorized trail per square mile
of habitat.
- The Friends of the Cloquet Valley State Forest is asking the DNR to extend the time for submitting
comments, because people need to be able to get out there and see the poroposed
trails and spring break up is not the best time for that. The DNR has been very clear that it does not intend to extend the feedback period.
- The DNR’s Fish and Wildlife Employee’s Association
says that a “managed” forest is more
expensive and is essentially unmanageable and unenforceable.
- Everyone in the state owns these state forest. They don’t belong to one particular
locale. Even the “county lands’ are in
fact “county-administered lands” and are actually state-owned, held in trust
for the counties with timber receipts going to the county.
- A limited designation simply
means that off road vehicles must stay on trails designed for them, and
these trails will need to meet the standards set forth for Grant in aid
trails by the DNR, there are provisions that allow hunters and trappers
to go off trails during their seasons and permits must be provided to
people with leased or owned property over County lands. All of
Minnesota south of Highway Two MUST be designated Limited, it is
optional above Highway Two and there is industry pressure to make it
"managed". The "Managed" system was inserted into the law during the
contentious 2005 legislative session in a late night deal. It brings
many more vehicles in contact with streams, wetlands and rivers,
contributing to poor water quality and degrading habitat for fish and
other aquatic wildlife.
- The "Limited" system provides for
sustainable trails upon which riders may ride on any trail marked open
to them. There are special provisions providing opportunities for
hunters and trappers to have broad access to the forest during their
seasons. This system supports water quality and good hunting.
This is the link to the DNR's page on the issue. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/input/mgmtplans/ohv/designation/status.html Ecological education: "One of the penalties of an ecological
education is that one lives alone in a world of wounds. Much of the
damage inflicted on land is quite invisible to laymen. An ecologist
must either harden his shell and make believe that the consequences of
science are none of his business, or he must be the doctor who sees the
marks of death in a community that believes itself well and does not
want to be told otherwise.
The government tells us we need flood control and comes
to straighten the creek in our pasture. The engineer on the job tells
us the creek is now able to carry off more flood water, but in the
process we lost our old willows where the cows switched flies in the
noon shade, and where the owl hooted on a winter night. We lost the
little marshy spot where our fringed gentians bloomed."
---Aldo Leopold, 1887-1948
Sending feedback to the plan due 4:30 p.m. on Friday,
June 29, 2007 Meeting planned to discuss ATV land-use plan
John Myers Duluth News Tribune
Published Sunday, June 17, 2007
If you goThe Minnesota DNR is
hosting public meetings on the proposed classification of the Cloquet
Valley State Forest on Wednesday at the Cotton Community Center and
Thursday at the Rice Lake Township town hall, 4107 West Beyer Road.
Both meetings are from 6-8:30 p.m.
The first hour of each meeting will allow people to informally
view the proposal. The DNR will then present its proposal and respond
to questions and comments. Written comments also will be accepted. The forest classification and route designation proposal are available on the DNR Web site at dnr.state.mn.us or at findthetrails.com. Copies can be reviewed at the DNR’s Cloquet Area Forestry office, 1604 South Highway 33.
Comments will be accepted until June 29. A final decision by the DNR
commissioner is expected this fall. Comments or questions should be
made to Brian McCann, DNR Trails and waterways, 5900 Lafayette Road,
St. Paul, MN, 55155-4052 or e-mail brian.mccann@dnr. state.mn.us or or call (888) 646-6367. Terms defined OHV — Off-highway vehicle; broad term includes ATVs, motorbikes and four-wheel drive trucks. ATV — All-terrain vehicle; usually means a four-wheeler. The land-use plan *
Covers about 144,000 acres of state land, 49,000 acres within the
Cloquet Valley State Forest in St. Louis County and other scattered
state lands outside the forest boundaries in St. Louis and Carlton
counties. * Affects another 231,000 acres of St. Louis County
land within the Cloquet Valley State Forest. County officials have
opted to match DNR regulations to avoid confusion. * The
sprawling forest north of Duluth is a mix of state, county and private
lands. Of the 327,098-acre total: 231,517 acres are county land; 48,384
are state; and 47,147 acres are private or owned by other agencies. The
new rules won’t affect private land. * DNR and county crews have
found 1,162 miles of active ATV routes across the forest. They suggest
continuing motorized use on 876 miles of those, from forest roads to
two-rut trails, on both county and state land. * Another 38 miles would be set aside for nonmotorized trails, such as hunter walking trails. * About 230 miles of trails now used by ATVs would be permanently closed, blocked or obliterated. *
Cross-country OHV travel is banned in all state forests except to
retrieve game while hunting or trapping. OHV opponents say that law is
nearly unenforceable, however, because once any ATV tracks are made
through the woods, the route is considered a legal trail. * Calls
for about 16,000 acres within the forest to be designated as
nonmotorized, with no OHV travel allowed even during hunting seasons.
The land was picked because it is far from main roads and includes
special forest features, such as rare wildlife habitat, rare species or
sensitive waterways. Managed vs. limited The wording
may be confusing but the difference is critical. It’s one of the most
heated issues in the ongoing debate over where off-highway vehicles
should be allowed. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: On state forest land classified as managed: * Motor vehicles may operate on all forest roads and forest trails unless they are posted and designated closed. *
ATV riders also can travel cross-country if they are hunting big game
or constructing hunting stands during October, November and December,
retrieving big game during September, or trapping during open seasons. On state forest classified as limited: *
OHV use is prohibited on state land and on county-administered land
within the boundaries of a state forest, except on designated OHV roads
and trails posted with open signs. * Counties may adopt a resolution to modify the above restrictions on county-administered land within state forest boundaries. *
ATV riders also can travel cross-country if they are hunting big game
or constructing hunting stands during October, November and December,
retrieving big game during September, or trapping during open seasons. Groups offer support for "limited" designation A
few small state forests have been designated as closed and are
essentially off-limits to all OHV use. Only street-licensed vehicles
can operate on open roads. OHV designations do not affect snowmobile use in any way. Minnesota
associations that represent foresters, wildlife managers and fisheries
biologists have joined forces to support a statewide policy for
off-highway vehicles, saying natural resources on public lands are best
protected with OHVs restricted to specific trails. The natural resource
experts are members of the Minnesota chapters of the Society of
American Foresters, the American Fisheries Society and the Wildlife
Society. Members of the three groups this spring announced their
support for “limited’’ forest designations and three policy steps,
including: * OHV use on designated trail system posted open for their use. * Careful design and placement of all OHV trails to reduce the potential danger to resources. * More enforcement of existing OHV Laws. Members
of the groups “have seen first-hand the increase in use of OHVs on
public lands and have substantial concerns about the negative impacts
OHV use can have on forest, stream and wetlands habitats and on fish,
wildlife, soils and outdoor recreation,’’ said Stacy Salvevold,
president of the Minnesota chapter of the Wildlife Society, in a
statement. The groups say the steps are critical for all forests
in the state and that OHVs should not be allowed to travel off marked
trails. Currently, most of Minnesota’s largest state forests
allow OHV use on any trail, except for a few posted as closed, and most
forests allow cross-country travel for hunting and trapping. Designated
trails in some areas also are exempt from some regulations.
Meeting planned to discuss ATV land-use plan
John Myers Duluth News Tribune
Published Sunday, June 17, 2007
If you goThe Minnesota DNR is
hosting public meetings on the proposed classification of the Cloquet
Valley State Forest on Wednesday at the Cotton Community Center and
Thursday at the Rice Lake Township town hall, 4107 West Beyer Road.
Both meetings are from 6-8:30 p.m.
The first hour of each meeting will allow people to informally
view the proposal. The DNR will then present its proposal and respond
to questions and comments. Written comments also will be accepted.
The forest classification and route designation proposal are available
on the DNR Web site at dnr.state.mn.us or at findthetrails.com. Copies
can be reviewed at the DNR’s Cloquet Area Forestry office, 1604 South
Highway 33.
Comments will be accepted until June 29. A final decision by the DNR
commissioner is expected this fall. Comments or questions should be
made to Brian McCann, DNR Trails and waterways, 5900 Lafayette Road,
St. Paul, MN, 55155-4052 or e-mail brian.mccann@dnr. state.mn.us or or call (888) 646-6367. Terms defined OHV — Off-highway vehicle; broad term includes ATVs, motorbikes and four-wheel drive trucks. ATV — All-terrain vehicle; usually means a four-wheeler. The land-use plan *
Covers about 144,000 acres of state land, 49,000 acres within the
Cloquet Valley State Forest in St. Louis County and other scattered
state lands outside the forest boundaries in St. Louis and Carlton
counties. * Affects another 231,000 acres of St. Louis County
land within the Cloquet Valley State Forest. County officials have
opted to match DNR regulations to avoid confusion. * The
sprawling forest north of Duluth is a mix of state, county and private
lands. Of the 327,098-acre total: 231,517 acres are county land; 48,384
are state; and 47,147 acres are private or owned by other agencies. The
new rules won’t affect private land. * DNR and county crews have
found 1,162 miles of active ATV routes across the forest. They suggest
continuing motorized use on 876 miles of those, from forest roads to
two-rut trails, on both county and state land. * Another 38 miles would be set aside for nonmotorized trails, such as hunter walking trails. * About 230 miles of trails now used by ATVs would be permanently closed, blocked or obliterated. *
Cross-country OHV travel is banned in all state forests except to
retrieve game while hunting or trapping. OHV opponents say that law is
nearly unenforceable, however, because once any ATV tracks are made
through the woods, the route is considered a legal trail. * Calls
for about 16,000 acres within the forest to be designated as
nonmotorized, with no OHV travel allowed even during hunting seasons.
The land was picked because it is far from main roads and includes
special forest features, such as rare wildlife habitat, rare species or
sensitive waterways. Managed vs. limited The wording
may be confusing but the difference is critical. It’s one of the most
heated issues in the ongoing debate over where off-highway vehicles
should be allowed. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: On state forest land classified as managed: * Motor vehicles may operate on all forest roads and forest trails unless they are posted and designated closed. *
ATV riders also can travel cross-country if they are hunting big game
or constructing hunting stands during October, November and December,
retrieving big game during September, or trapping during open seasons. On state forest classified as limited: *
OHV use is prohibited on state land and on county-administered land
within the boundaries of a state forest, except on designated OHV roads
and trails posted with open signs. * Counties may adopt a resolution to modify the above restrictions on county-administered land within state forest boundaries. *
ATV riders also can travel cross-country if they are hunting big game
or constructing hunting stands during October, November and December,
retrieving big game during September, or trapping during open seasons. Groups offer support for "limited" designation A
few small state forests have been designated as closed and are
essentially off-limits to all OHV use. Only street-licensed vehicles
can operate on open roads. OHV designations do not affect snowmobile use in any way. Minnesota
associations that represent foresters, wildlife managers and fisheries
biologists have joined forces to support a statewide policy for
off-highway vehicles, saying natural resources on public lands are best
protected with OHVs restricted to specific trails. The natural resource
experts are members of the Minnesota chapters of the Society of
American Foresters, the American Fisheries Society and the Wildlife
Society. Members of the three groups this spring announced their
support for “limited’’ forest designations and three policy steps,
including: * OHV use on designated trail system posted open for their use. * Careful design and placement of all OHV trails to reduce the potential danger to resources. * More enforcement of existing OHV Laws. Members
of the groups “have seen first-hand the increase in use of OHVs on
public lands and have substantial concerns about the negative impacts
OHV use can have on forest, stream and wetlands habitats and on fish,
wildlife, soils and outdoor recreation,’’ said Stacy Salvevold,
president of the Minnesota chapter of the Wildlife Society, in a
statement. The groups say the steps are critical for all forests
in the state and that OHVs should not be allowed to travel off marked
trails. Currently, most of Minnesota’s largest state forests
allow OHV use on any trail, except for a few posted as closed, and most
forests allow cross-country travel for hunting and trapping. Designated
trails in some areas also are exempt from some regulations. debate runs deep
John Myers Duluth News Tribune
Published Sunday, June 17, 2007
NEAR PEQUAYWAN LAKE — The ruts along the county road at the driveway to John Wilson’s property are 18 inches deep.ATV
tires have dug down to rock in some places and packed the soil so water
can’t soak in. Almost every day, especially on weekends, ATVs drive by. “It’s bad enough now. Look at what they are doing along here,’’ Wilson said. “And they want to bring more of them up here?’’
In other areas, sensitive bogs show ATV tracks. Spotted knapweed, an
invasive species that may be harmful to red pine, is thriving along ATV
trails.Wilson
and other residents in and near the Cloquet Valley State Forest are
battling a plan by the state and county to designate the forest as
“managed’’ for off-highway vehicles, allowing OHVs to travel on almost
any trail or route unless officials post trails as closed. The
joint Minnesota Department of Natural Resources-St. Louis County plan
calls for up to 876 miles of OHV trails in the forest just north of
Duluth. Many area residents — along with town boards,
conservation groups and professional foresters and biologists — say
public forests such as Cloquet Valley should instead be designated as
“limited.’’ Under such a designation, OHVs can travel only on routes
signed as open and that have been studied for environmental issues. More trails,fewer problems? Patty
Rutka of Saginaw sees the ruts, erosion and unsafe OHV behavior and
wants thousands of miles of new ATV trails in Minnesota, including
hundreds of miles of designated and mapped trials in the Cloquet Valley
State Forest. Rutka, president of the North Shore ATV Club who
rides ATVs with her family, says designating the Cloquet Valley forest
as managed would spread out use. “The best way to solve the
problems is to give us more trails. The fewer places people have to
ride, the more the problems keep compounding,’’ Rutka said. “Look at
the number of registered ATVs in St. Louis County and then look at the
few miles of trail we have designated around here. That’s why there are
some issues.’’ The battle over the Cloquet Valley State Forest is a microcosm of the ATV issue on public lands statewide. ATV
supporters — along with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
trails division and the St. Louis County Board of Commissioners — say
designating the forest as managed will make it easier for OHV riders to
find a place to ride and obey the law. Some say it will help attract
tourism to the region. “It’s easier for people to understand if
it’s limited,’’ Rutka said. “There’s also a lot less signs, so there’s
less cost. … As a motorized environmentalist, I want to see the trees
and the views, not a bunch of signs telling me where I can ride.’’ OHV critics say that’s not the case. They say closed signs often get ripped down, while open signs usually stay up. Brain
McCann, recreational planner for the DNR’s Trails and Waterways
Division, said the differences between managed and limited forest
designations are more subtle. Forest managers could conceivably post
all trails as closed in a managed forest, or open in a limited forest,
he said. But McCann added that the designation does set the tone
for future use and that a managed classification is more conducive to
OHV activity. Many say no Opponents of the managed
designation have formed Friends of the Cloquet Valley State Forest.
They hope to promote sustainable use of the forest on other issues as
well. Town boards in Pequaywan, Ault, Fairbanks and Gnesen have
passed resolutions opposing the DNR/county plan and calling for a
limited designation. Alden was expected to pass the same type of
resolution. Other groups, including Minnesotans for Responsible
Recreation and the Izaak Walton League, have spoken against the managed
designation as well. “They call it managed, but it’s really not
managed at all. It’s unmanageable,’’ said Rick Fry, longtime Pequaywan
resident and Town Board supervisor. “We’re trying to convey to [the DNR
and county] that we don’t want this [network of trails up here]. But no
one seems to be listening to us.’’ Supporters, including the All
Terrain Vehicle Association of Minnesota and other clubs, say the issue
isn’t just environmental damage. “I see their point of view,’’
Rutka said. “But this really isn’t an environmental issue. It’s a
land-use issue. They don’t want me to use ‘their’ forest. But I’m not
going to take my toys and go home that easy. There’s enough room up
here for everyone to do their thing and get along.’’ Meetings will be heated Both
sides are expected to be out in force this week at public meetings on
the OHV plan in Cotton and Rice Lake Township. McCann has received a
“folder full’’ of comments on the designation issue and that he expects
“the onslaught to begin in earnest’’ this week. “It seems the
CVSF ‘controversy’ is being fueled by strong advocates on both sides,’’
McCann said, that stems from a failed effort earlier this year by OHV
supporters to build a 70-mile trail through the Pequaywan Lake area. That trail plan, proposed by county officials and OHV enthusiasts, was scuttled after vehement local opposition. “People
thought this issue was over when it was clear no one wanted’’ the
70-mile trail, said Kristin Larsen, a Pequaywan Lake resident and
active opponent to increased ATV traffic in the area. “But 70 miles was
nothing compared to what could happen now. It’s hundreds and hundreds
of miles. [The DNR and county] want to make this an ATV destination for
the state.’’ ATV enthusiasts say that simply won’t happen, that not all 300,000 of Minnesota’s registered ATVs will show up each weekend. “The
biggest benefit of a managed forest is for the local riders who want to
get off the beaten path to pick berries or visit a favorite spot. …
People who drive in from other areas are going to stay on the mapped
and marked trails,’’ said Phil Morud, president of the All Terrain
Vehicle Association of Minnesota and an employee of ATV manufacturer
Arctic Cat. “People have this vision of ATVs fender-to-fender. But it’s
never like that. The use can be dispersed if you have a managed forest.
And you can save the DNR’s resources by saving the signs for the areas
that really need protection.’’ The Forest reclassification and road/trail
designation process is underway for the Cloquet
Valley State Forest.
Your input is vital to the process.
The Cloquet Valley State Forest is located just north of Duluth
Click here for Map
showing location of Cloquet Valley State Forest
The Friends of the Coquet
Valley State Forest
asks all who cherish this forest to email to all of those listed below that
asks them to put the protection of the northern forests above ATV
recreational desires. We ask for the
Limited Designation for the Forest, and for only those
trails which have both Township Approval and Environmental Review.
|
Closed
Forest
– forest is designated Closed to off road vehicles
Limited
Forest
– means motorized vehicles may operate only on forest roads and trails that are
posted open for the type of vehicle. Cross
country travel is permitted under exceptions for large game hunting and
trapping.
Managed
Forest
– means motorized vehicles may operate on all trails except those marked closed. Cross
country travel is permitted under exceptions for large game hunting and
trapping.
|
Statements By
Professional and Leadership Groups in Minnesota regarding Off Road Vehicles
and their support for a Limited Designation
Izaak Walton League
Minnesota Fish and
Wildlife Employees Association
League of
Women Voters, Minnesota and Duluth
Minnesota Chapter of
the American Fisheries Society
Society of American Foresters,
Minnesota Chapter
Minnesota
Chapter of the Wildlife Society
Friends of the
Boundary Waters
|
|
Maps
Public Meetings
Entire Forest
Minnesota
with Cloquet Valley
State Forest
placed just north of Duluth
|
Public Meetings
Everyone is encouraged to be at the public meetings.
The people who believe in sustainable management of the forest need
to be present. Our County Commissioners
value the presence of people and participation of the citizens at
meetings. Show them you care.
The first meeting 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.
|
|
More Information
Recreation Studies
St.
Louis County’s
Most Recent
Mn Outdoor
Recreation
Impact of ATVs on the Forest
(review of the literature)
|
If you do only one thing to help the Cloquet
Valley State Forest,
the forest closest to Duluth, let
it be an email to all of those listed below that asks them to put the
protection of the northern forests above ATV recreational desires.
- The Friends of the Cloquet
Valley State
Forest strongly advocates
the Limited Designation
- Trails that have both
local approval
- and environmental
review.
- The Izaak Walton
League, the League of Women Voters Minnesota and Duluth, The Friends of
the Boundary Waters and Minnesotans for Responsible Recreation all
advocate for the same or similar protections for our forest from these
destructive vehicles.
- Under the Limited
Designation, off road vehicles must stay on designated trails, that are
marked as open to them. Under the Managed system ATVs may go
on any trail that is not marked Closed, which creates a dangerous
situation for the forest.
- Ask for a limited
designation for the Cloquet Valley
State Forest.
Write to :
Brian McCann<brian.mccann@dnr.state.mn.us
<mailto:brian.mccann@dnr.state.mn.us>
Brian McCann, Planner
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Box 52, 500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155-4052
Phone: (651) 259-5627 or Toll Free 1-888-MINNDNR
E-mail: brian.mccann@dnr.state.mn.us
AND write to
St. Louis County Commissioners also need to hear from you, tell them you want
the limited designation and why:
Bill Kron<kronb@co.st-louis.mn.us
Chair of the St. Louis County Board, be sure to include him so that the
entire board is able to be aware of your perspective.
Steve O'Neil <OneilS@co.st-louis.mn.us>
Mike Forsman <forsmanm@co.st-louis.mn.us>
Keith Nelson <nelsonk@co.st-louis.mn.us
Peggy Sweeney <sweeneyp@co.st-louis.mn.us>
Dennis Fink <finkd@co.st-louis.mn.us>
Steve Raukar<raukars@co.st-louis.mn.us
Send copies to your legislators senate
house
Committies : senate
house
Copy your letter to the governor and DNR Commissioner also.
Keep a copy and send one to friends@friendscvsf.org
You could also copy to your township
board members, Lake Associations
and Road Associations. These bodies can take action most effectively
with regard to specific trails as well as calling for better forest
management and by requesting a Closed, Limited or "managed"
Designation for the forest.
MOST
IMPORTANT :
Remember
to request a designated trails only policy for the Cloquet
Valley State Forest.
This is called a "limited classification" by the DNR/legislature
The
DNR will review your letter and identify and categorize your observations.
Review other
feedback they have received so that you understand the process.
When
writing to the DNR/Commissioners, it is important to be factual and
specific. Tell them what you think and why.
When you provide feedback
- identify specific
places that are damaged by ATVs/ OHVs or which
-
- identify areas of
great beauty or other value that could be harmed
-
- contact
friends@friendscvsf.org for assistance with GPS / photo documentation if
you do not have experience with GPS documentation. It's important
to photograph the GPS display at the position where you are
photographing.
-
- reflect upon
experiences you cherish in the forest, about particular places, many or
few. Think about sounds, about trails that are not muddy, not
rutted, about being able to walk around and have some quiet without
worrying that someone is going to come around a corner at full tilt when
your child or dog is in the trail in front of you. Tell them
what it is you really value about the forest.
- Think about specific
places that are important and special to you. Think about
where there are going to be problems if ATVs and off-road motorcycles
are racing around. Go to the places you want to
protect, and where trails are proposed, bring your digital camera.
- If there are places
that have been damaged by ATVs take photos of those too, but also of
favorite locations, like pristine wetlands next to roads or proposed ATV
trails.
- If you have a
GPS take it along, set the camera’s clock correctly so you know when the
photo was taken (even if they don’t show up on the camera the data
file will contain the data) If you take a GPS along
take the first photo of the unit when it is turned on in the field with
the screen showing the date time and location so you can synchronize it
with the exact location.
- Think about specific
kinds of ecological effects : Habitat degradation due to wildlife
disturbance from higher traffic and higher motorized route density; more
habitat fragmentation for Herpetofauna (turtles); more serious
spread of non-native invasive species along trails and routes, and then
from these trails and routes into sensitive places. Because ATVs
are designed to go, and inevitably will go, off –trail into those
sensitive places; erosion; sedimentation.
- Think about specific
kinds of social effects: displacement of people from traditional uses
and traditional forms of outdoor recreation (Birding, wildlife watching,
hunting under one’s own power, x-county skiing, walking)
- Think about cumulative
effects. This isn’t the only cunk of land that’s being put
through this process. The DNR and county have to consider
not just the effects of this project on it’s own, but the cumulative
effects of putting large amounts of motorized trails all through public
lands all over the state. For a social exam;le, consider the
fact that state forests everywhere are getting designated motorized
trails snaked into every little corner, particularly on the
uplands. In many state forests, and also on federal lands,
all the significant upland areas where people can go have ATV trails to
or through them. People who want to get more than ½ mile or
¾ of a mile from any ATV trail often have to trek through lots of
wetlands to get to such areas, if any are available. This is
completely inequitable, and walks all over the desires of a substantial
majority of the population who do not and never will own and ATV, who
prefer to do things using their body, who enjoy the sounds of the
outdoors instead of having an engine and engine noise following them
everywhere. Now the cumulative effect of all this is that
folks who prefer non-motorized experience will have even less
opportunity in the region of this state forest.
- Think about how many
miles of road and trail and road ditch are open to ATV traffic within
100 miles of the outside border of the state forest.
- Think about the
position papers of all the professional and scientific groups.
- Remember the animals
: The Canada Lynx are not as secure in places with higher amounts of
motorized traiffic, more disturbance and higher density of roads and
trails, measured as miles of road and motorized trail per square mile of
habitat.
- The Friends of the Cloquet
Valley State
Forest is asking the DNR to
extend the time for submitting comments, because people need to be able
to get out there and see the poroposed trails and spring break up is not
the best time for that. The DNR has been very clear that it does not
intend to extend the feedback period.
- The DNR’s Fish and
Wildlife Employee’s Association says that a “managed” forest is
more expensive and is essentially unmanageable and unenforceable.
- Everyone in the
state owns these state forest. They don’t belong to one
particular locale. Even the “county lands’ are in fact
“county-administered lands” and are actually state-owned, held in trust
for the counties with timber receipts going to the county.
- A limited
designation simply means that off road vehicles must stay on trails
designed for them, and these trails will need to meet the standards set
forth for Grant in aid trails by the DNR, there are provisions that
allow hunters and trappers to go off trails during their seasons and
permits must be provided to people with leased or owned property over
County lands. All of Minnesota
south of Highway Two MUST be designated Limited, it is optional above
Highway Two and there is industry pressure to make it
"managed". The "Managed" system was
inserted into the law during the contentious 2005 legislative session in
a late night deal. It brings many more vehicles in contact
with streams, wetlands and rivers, contributing to poor water quality
and degrading habitat for fish and other aquatic wildlife.
- The
"Limited" system provides for sustainable trails upon which
riders may ride on any trail marked open to them. There are
special provisions providing opportunities for hunters and trappers to
have broad access to the forest during their seasons. This
system supports water quality and good hunting.
Public Meetings
Everyone is encouraged to be at the public meetings.
The people who believe in sustainable management of the forest need to
be present. Our County Commissioners
value the presence of people and participation of the citizens at
meetings. Show them you care.
The first meeting 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.
Ecological education: "One of the penalties of an ecological
education is that one lives alone in a world of wounds. Much of the damage
inflicted on land is quite invisible to laymen. An ecologist must either
harden his shell and make believe that the consequences of science are none
of his business, or he must be the doctor who sees the marks of death in a
community that believes itself well and does not want to be told otherwise.
The government tells us we need flood control and comes to straighten the
creek in our pasture. The engineer on the job tells us the creek is now able
to carry off more flood water, but in the process we lost our old willows
where the cows switched flies in the noon
shade, and where the owl hooted on a winter night. We lost the little marshy
spot where our fringed gentians bloomed."---Aldo Leopold, 1887-1948
Sending
feedback to the plan due 4:30 p.m.
on Friday, June 29, 2007
|
The The Forest reclassification and road/trail designation process is
underway for the Cloquet Valley State Forest. Your input is vital
to the process.
The
Cloquet Valley State Forest is mainly located just north of Duluth,
stretches from Highway 53 to Brimson and from the Alden Lake Area to
Gnesen Township. It includes parts of Island Lake Area, Whiteface,
parts extend into Fairbanks and south to Northstar township. It
includes Ault and Pequaywan.
Write to those listed below, ask for - Designate the Cloquet Valley State Forest as Limited re: OHVs/ATVs
- Provide adequate enforcement to keep ATVs on the trails
- Perform Environmental Assessment of all Trails
Food for thought regarding OHVs ATVs
If
you do only one thing to help the Cloquet Valley State Forest, the
forest closest to Duluth, let it be an email to all of those listed
below that asks them to put the protection of the northern forests above ATV recreational desires.
- The
Friends of the Cloquet Valley State Forest strongly advocates the Limited Designation
- Trails that have both local approval
- and environmental review.
- The
Izaak Walton League, the League of
Women Voters Minnesota and Duluth, The Friends of the Boundary Waters
and Minnesotans for Responsible Recreation all advocate for the same or
similar protections for our forest from these destructive vehicles.
- Under
the Limited
Designation, off road vehicles must stay on designated trails, that are
marked as open to them. Under the Managed system ATVs may go on any
trail that is not marked Closed, which creates a dangerous situation
for the forest.
- Ask for a limited designation for the Cloquet Valley State Forest.
Write to :
Brian McCann<brian.mccann@dnr.state.mn.us
<mailto:brian.mccann@dnr.state.mn.us>
Brian McCann, Planner
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Box
52, 500
Lafayette Road
St.
Paul, MN
55155-4052
Phone: (651) 259-5627 or Toll Free 1-888-MINNDNR
E-mail: brian.mccann@dnr.state.mn.us
AND write to
St. Louis County Commissioners also need to hear from you, tell them you want the limited designation and why:
Steve O'Neil <OneilS@co.st-louis.mn.us>
Mike Forsman <forsmanm@co.st-louis.mn.us>
Keith Nelson <nelsonk@co.st-louis.mn.us
Bill Kron<kronb@co.st-louis.mn.us
Peggy Sweeney <sweeneyp@co.st-louis.mn.us>
Dennis Fink <finkd@co.st-louis.mn.us>
Steve Raukar<raukars@co.st-louis.mn.us
Send copies to your legislators senate
house
Committies : senate
house
Copy
your letter to the governor and DNR Commissioner also.
Keep a copy and send one to friends@friendscvsf.org
You could also copy to your township board members,
Lake Associations and Road Associations. These bodies can take action
most effectively with regard to specific trails as well as calling for
better forest management and by requesting a Closed, Limited or
"managed" Designation for the forest.
MOST IMPORTANT :
Remember to request a designated trails only
policy for the Cloquet Valley State Forest. This is called a "limited
classification" by the DNR/legislature
The DNR will review your letter and identify and categorize your observations. Review other feedback they have received so that you understand the process.
When writing to the DNR/Commissioners, it is
important to be factual and specific. Tell them what you think and
why.
When you provide feedback
- identify specific places that are damaged by ATVs/ OHVs or which
- identify areas of great beauty or other value that could be harmed
- contact
friends@friendscvsf.org for assistance with GPS / photo documentation
if you do not have experience with GPS documentation. It's important
to photograph the GPS display at the position where you are
photographing.
- reflect upon experiences you cherish in
the forest, about particular places, many or few. Think about sounds, about trails that are not
muddy, not rutted, about being able to walk around and have some quiet without
worrying that someone is going to come around a corner at full tilt when your
child or dog is in the trail in front of you.
Tell them what it is you really value about the forest.
- Think about specific places that are important and special to
you. Think about where there are going
to be problems if ATVs and off-road motorcycles are racing around. Go to the places you want to protect, and
where trails are proposed, bring your digital camera.
- If there are places that have been damaged by ATVs take
photos of those too, but also of favorite locations, like pristine wetlands
next to roads or proposed ATV trails.
- If you have a GPS
take it along, set the camera’s clock correctly so you know when the photo was
taken (even if they don’t show up on the
camera the data file will contain the data)
If you take a GPS along take the first photo of the unit when it is
turned on in the field with the screen showing the date time and location so
you can synchronize it with the exact location.
- Think about specific kinds of ecological effects : Habitat
degradation due to wildlife disturbance from higher traffic and higher
motorized route density; more habitat fragmentation for Herpetofauna (turtles); more serious spread
of non-native invasive species along trails and routes, and then from these
trails and routes into sensitive places. Because ATVs are
designed to go, and inevitably will go, off –trail into those sensitive places;
erosion; sedimentation.
- Think about specific kinds of social effects: displacement
of people from traditional uses and traditional forms of outdoor recreation
(Birding, wildlife watching, hunting under one’s own power, x-county skiing,
walking)
- Think about cumulative effects. This isn’t the only cunk of land that’s
being put through this process. The DNR
and county have to consider not just the effects of this project on it’s own,
but the cumulative effects of putting large amounts of motorized trails all
through public lands all over the state.
For a social exam;le, consider the fact that state forests everywhere
are getting designated motorized trails snaked into every little corner, particularly
on the uplands. In many state forests,
and also on federal lands, all the significant upland areas where people can go
have ATV trails to or through them.
People who want to get more than ½ mile or ¾ of a mile from any ATV
trail often have to trek through lots of wetlands to get to such areas, if any
are available. This is completely
inequitable, and walks all over the desires of a substantial majority of the
population who do not and never will own and ATV, who prefer to do things using
their body, who enjoy the sounds of the outdoors instead of having an engine
and engine noise following them everywhere.
Now the cumulative effect of all this is that folks who prefer
non-motorized experience will have even less opportunity in the region of this
state forest.
- Think about how many miles of road and trail and road
ditch are open to ATV traffic within 100 miles of the outside border of the
state forest.
- Think about the position papers of all the professional and scientific groups.
- Remember the animals : The Canada Lynx are not as secure in places with
higher amounts of motorized traiffic, more disturbance and higher density of
roads and trails, measured as miles of road and motorized trail per square mile
of habitat.
- The Friends of the Cloquet Valley State Forest is asking the DNR to extend the time for submitting
comments, because people need to be able to get out there and see the poroposed
trails and spring break up is not the best time for that. The DNR has been very clear that it does not intend to extend the feedback period.
- The DNR’s Fish and Wildlife Employee’s Association
says that a “managed” forest is more
expensive and is essentially unmanageable and unenforceable.
- Everyone in the state owns these state forest. They don’t belong to one particular
locale. Even the “county lands’ are in
fact “county-administered lands” and are actually state-owned, held in trust
for the counties with timber receipts going to the county.
- A limited designation simply
means that off road vehicles must stay on trails designed for them, and
these trails will need to meet the standards set forth for Grant in aid
trails by the DNR, there are provisions that allow hunters and trappers
to go off trails during their seasons and permits must be provided to
people with leased or owned property over County lands. All of
Minnesota south of Highway Two MUST be designated Limited, it is
optional above Highway Two and there is industry pressure to make it
"managed". The "Managed" system was inserted into the law during the
contentious 2005 legislative session in a late night deal. It brings
many more vehicles in contact with streams, wetlands and rivers,
contributing to poor water quality and degrading habitat for fish and
other aquatic wildlife.
- The "Limited" system provides for
sustainable trails upon which riders may ride on any trail marked open
to them. There are special provisions providing opportunities for
hunters and trappers to have broad access to the forest during their
seasons. This system supports water quality and good hunting.
Public Meetings Everyone is encouraged to be at the public meetings. The people
who believe in sustainable management of the forest need to be present.
Our County Commissioners value the presence of people and participation
of the citizens at meetings. Show them you care.
The first meeting 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.
This is the link to the DNR's page on the issue.
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/input/mgmtplans/ohv/designation/status.html
Sending feedback to the plan due 4:30 p.m. on Friday,
June 29, 2007
|
The The Forest reclassification and road/trail designation process is
underway for the Cloquet Valley State Forest. Your input is vital
to the process.Write to those listed below, ask for - Designate the Cloquet Valley State Forest as Limited re: OHVs/ATVs
- Provide adequate enforcement to keep ATVs on the trails
- Perform Environmental Assessment of all Trails
Food for thought regarding OHVs ATVs If
you do only one thing to help the Cloquet Valley State Forest, the
forest closest to Duluth, let it be an email to all of those listed
below that asks them to put the protection of the northern forests above ATV recreational desires. - The
Friends of the Cloquet Valley State Forest strongly advocates the Limited Designation
- Trails that have both local approval
- and environmental review.
- The
Izaak Walton League, the League of
Women Voters Minnesota and Duluth, The Friends of the Boundary Waters
and Minnesotans for Responsible Recreation all advocate for the same or
similar protections for our forest from these destructive vehicles.
- Under
the Limited
Designation, off road vehicles must stay on designated trails, that are
marked as open to them. Under the Managed system ATVs may go on any
trail that is not marked Closed, which creates a dangerous situation
for the forest.
- Ask for a limited designation for the Cloquet Valley State Forest.
Write to : Brian McCann< brian.mccann@dnr.state.mn.us
<mailto:brian.mccann@dnr.state.mn.us>
Brian McCann, Planner
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Box
52, 500
Lafayette Road
St.
Paul, MN
55155-4052
Phone: (651) 259-5627 or Toll Free 1-888-MINNDNR
E-mail: brian.mccann@dnr.state.mn.us
AND write to St. Louis County Commissioners also need to hear from you, tell them you want the limited designation and why: Steve O'Neil <OneilS@co.st-louis.mn.us>
Mike Forsman <forsmanm@co.st-louis.mn.us>
Keith Nelson < nelsonk@co.st-louis.mn.us
Bill Kron< kronb@co.st-louis.mn.us
Peggy Sweeney <sweeneyp@co.st-louis.mn.us>
Dennis Fink <finkd@co.st-louis.mn.us>
Steve Raukar< raukars@co.st-louis.mn.us
Send copies to your legislators senate houseCommitties : senate houseCopy
your letter to the governor and DNR Commissioner also. Keep a copy and send one to friends@friendscvsf.org
You could also copy to your township board members,
Lake Associations and Road Associations. These bodies can take action
most effectively with regard to specific trails as well as calling for
better forest management and by requesting a Closed, Limited or
"managed" Designation for the forest. MOST IMPORTANT :
Remember to request a designated trails only
policy for the Cloquet Valley State Forest. This is called a "limited
classification" by the DNR/legislature
The DNR will review your letter and identify and categorize your observations. Review other feedback they have received so that you understand the process.
When writing to the DNR/Commissioners, it is
important to be factual and specific. Tell them what you think and
why.
When you provide feedback
- identify specific places that are damaged by ATVs/ OHVs or which
- identify areas of great beauty or other value that could be harmed
- contact
friends@friendscvsf.org for assistance with GPS / photo documentation
if you do not have experience with GPS documentation. It's important
to photograph the GPS display at the position where you are
photographing.
- reflect upon experiences you cherish in
the forest, about particular places, many or few. Think about sounds, about trails that are not
muddy, not rutted, about being able to walk around and have some quiet without
worrying that someone is going to come around a corner at full tilt when your
child or dog is in the trail in front of you.
Tell them what it is you really value about the forest.
- Think about specific places that are important and special to
you. Think about where there are going
to be problems if ATVs and off-road motorcycles are racing around. Go to the places you want to protect, and
where trails are proposed, bring your digital camera.
- If there are places that have been damaged by ATVs take
photos of those too, but also of favorite locations, like pristine wetlands
next to roads or proposed ATV trails.
- If you have a GPS
take it along, set the camera’s clock correctly so you know when the photo was
taken (even if they don’t show up on the
camera the data file will contain the data)
If you take a GPS along take the first photo of the unit when it is
turned on in the field with the screen showing the date time and location so
you can synchronize it with the exact location.
- Think about specific kinds of ecological effects : Habitat
degradation due to wildlife disturbance from higher traffic and higher
motorized route density; more habitat fragmentation for Herpetofauna (turtles); more serious spread
of non-native invasive species along trails and routes, and then from these
trails and routes into sensitive places. Because ATVs are
designed to go, and inevitably will go, off –trail into those sensitive places;
erosion; sedimentation.
- Think about specific kinds of social effects: displacement
of people from traditional uses and traditional forms of outdoor recreation
(Birding, wildlife watching, hunting under one’s own power, x-county skiing,
walking)
- Think about cumulative effects. This isn’t the only cunk of land that’s
being put through this process. The DNR
and county have to consider not just the effects of this project on it’s own,
but the cumulative effects of putting large amounts of motorized trails all
through public lands all over the state.
For a social exam;le, consider the fact that state forests everywhere
are getting designated motorized trails snaked into every little corner, particularly
on the uplands. In many state forests,
and also on federal lands, all the significant upland areas where people can go
have ATV trails to or through them.
People who want to get more than ½ mile or ¾ of a mile from any ATV
trail often have to trek through lots of wetlands to get to such areas, if any
are available. This is completely
inequitable, and walks all over the desires of a substantial majority of the
population who do not and never will own and ATV, who prefer to do things using
their body, who enjoy the sounds of the outdoors instead of having an engine
and engine noise following them everywhere.
Now the cumulative effect of all this is that folks who prefer
non-motorized experience will have even less opportunity in the region of this
state forest.
- Think about how many miles of road and trail and road
ditch are open to ATV traffic within 100 miles of the outside border of the
state forest.
- Think about the position papers of all the professional and scientific groups.
- Remember the animals : The Canada Lynx are not as secure in places with
higher amounts of motorized traiffic, more disturbance and higher density of
roads and trails, measured as miles of road and motorized trail per square mile
of habitat.
- The Friends of the Cloquet Valley State Forest is asking the DNR to extend the time for submitting
comments, because people need to be able to get out there and see the poroposed
trails and spring break up is not the best time for that. The DNR has been very clear that it does not intend to extend the feedback period.
- The DNR’s Fish and Wildlife Employee’s Association
says that a “managed” forest is more
expensive and is essentially unmanageable and unenforceable.
- Everyone in the state owns these state forest. They don’t belong to one particular
locale. Even the “county lands’ are in
fact “county-administered lands” and are actually state-owned, held in trust
for the counties with timber receipts going to the county.
- A limited designation simply
means that off road vehicles must stay on trails designed for them, and
these trails will need to meet the standards set forth for Grant in aid
trails by the DNR, there are provisions that allow hunters and trappers
to go off trails during their seasons and permits must be provided to
people with leased or owned property over County lands. All of
Minnesota south of Highway Two MUST be designated Limited, it is
optional above Highway Two and there is industry pressure to make it
"managed". The "Managed" system was inserted into the law during the
contentious 2005 legislative session in a late night deal. It brings
many more vehicles in contact with streams, wetlands and rivers,
contributing to poor water quality and degrading habitat for fish and
other aquatic wildlife.
- The "Limited" system provides for
sustainable trails upon which riders may ride on any trail marked open
to them. There are special provisions providing opportunities for
hunters and trappers to have broad access to the forest during their
seasons. This system supports water quality and good hunting.
Public Meetings Everyone is encouraged to be at the public meetings. The people
who believe in sustainable management of the forest need to be present.
Our County Commissioners value the presence of people and participation
of the citizens at meetings. Show them you care.
The first meeting 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.
This is the link to the DNR's page on the issue. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/input/mgmtplans/ohv/designation/status.html
Sending feedback to the plan due 4:30 p.m. on Friday,
June 29, 2007 Contact : Friends@Friendscvsf.org 218 310-6023 |
|
|
