02-05-2004, 03:49 AM
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has developed a plan for use of roads and trails in and around the Foot Hills State Forest in Cass County. The proposal seeks to provide adequate motor vehicle access to public lands, designates some trails for use by off-highway vehicles, and mitigates the environmental impacts related to recreational motor vehicle use in the forest.
The proposal would result in all state and county forest lands in the Foothills area being classified as “limited” with respect to motor vehicle use. This means that motor vehicles must generally stay on roads and trails that are signed as open for motorized use. There are approximately 300 miles of forest roads and trails on state- and county-administered forest lands in the Foot Hills area. If the proposed reclassification and trail use designations are implemented there will be about 60 miles of roads and trails open to both highway-licensed vehicles and off-highway vehicles. There would be about 44 miles of trail open to off-highway vehicles. Motor vehicle use would generally be prohibited on about 170 miles of existing trails that will have no designated uses.
The plan would not affect the Hiram and Cut Lake cross country ski trails, signed hunter walking trails, or snowmobile trails in the area.
Copies of the forest reclassification proposal, the road and trail designation plan, and maps showing the road and trail systems in the area are available on the DNR Web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us. Click on "public input" and then "management plans."
The documents can also be obtained from Jack Olson, DNR natural resources planner, 1601 Minnesota Drive, Brainerd, MN 56401; phone (218) 828-2701.
There will be a public meeting on the proposed reclassification, and road and trail use designations from 6 - 9 p.m. on Monday, April 12, at the Pine River-Backus High School, 400 N Main St., Pine River. The DNR will present information and receive public comments on the proposal. Written comments on the proposal must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. on April 30, 2004.
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The proposal would result in all state and county forest lands in the Foothills area being classified as “limited” with respect to motor vehicle use. This means that motor vehicles must generally stay on roads and trails that are signed as open for motorized use. There are approximately 300 miles of forest roads and trails on state- and county-administered forest lands in the Foot Hills area. If the proposed reclassification and trail use designations are implemented there will be about 60 miles of roads and trails open to both highway-licensed vehicles and off-highway vehicles. There would be about 44 miles of trail open to off-highway vehicles. Motor vehicle use would generally be prohibited on about 170 miles of existing trails that will have no designated uses.
The plan would not affect the Hiram and Cut Lake cross country ski trails, signed hunter walking trails, or snowmobile trails in the area.
Copies of the forest reclassification proposal, the road and trail designation plan, and maps showing the road and trail systems in the area are available on the DNR Web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us. Click on "public input" and then "management plans."
The documents can also be obtained from Jack Olson, DNR natural resources planner, 1601 Minnesota Drive, Brainerd, MN 56401; phone (218) 828-2701.
There will be a public meeting on the proposed reclassification, and road and trail use designations from 6 - 9 p.m. on Monday, April 12, at the Pine River-Backus High School, 400 N Main St., Pine River. The DNR will present information and receive public comments on the proposal. Written comments on the proposal must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. on April 30, 2004.
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