04-05-2007, 10:10 PM
Following a series of open houses and a collaborative effort with Lake County, the Superior National Forest, the Fond du Lac Band and the 1854 Authority, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public comments on its forest classification and motor vehicle route designation proposal for Lake County, located in Minnesota's Arrowhead Region. The plan includes proposed forest classification and route designations for Finland State Forest and scattered DNR forest lands located outside of state forest boundaries throughout Lake County.
EVALUATION OF ROUTES, PROPOSED DESIGNATIONS
In all, the plan makes recommendations for about 220 miles of roads, trails and other inventoried routes on about 160,000 acres of state forest lands in Lake County. The proposal, which includes some existing route closures, will ultimately determine where motorized vehicles, including cars, trucks and off-highway vehicles (OHV), will be allowed to operate on state lands in the county. This proposal was developed in cooperation with Lake County, the Superior National Forest, the Fond du Lac Band and the 1854 Authority in an effort to foster consistency across land ownerships.
PROPOSED FOREST CLASSIFICATION
In Lake County, the DNR proposes to change all state forest lands located within the legal boundaries of the Superior National Forest (northern portion of the Finland State Forest) to a "limited" classification (routes are closed to motorized travel unless posted open). On Finland State Forest lands that lie outside the Superior National Forest boundaries in southern Lake and southwestern Cook counties, the DNR proposes to retain a "managed" classification (routes are open unless posted closed).
Under the proposal, scattered state forest lands outside of state and federal forest boundaries in the northern part of the county would be classified as "limited." While scattered state forest lands outside of state and federal forest boundaries in southern Lake County would remain "managed."
All state lands within the BWCAW will remain classified as "closed" to motor use under this proposal.
LIMITATIONS ON OFF-TRAIL, NONDESIGNATED TRAIL USE
In Lake County, seven areas totaling 12,065 acres (of state forest
lands) are proposed to receive special protections from vehicular use. These areas, ranging from 675 to 1,380 acres in size, were selected based upon high-to-outstanding biodiversity rankings, the absence of major roads and/or trails, and their proximity to unique or sensitive wildlife habitat, hydrologic features and traditional nonmotorized recreational use areas. Three of the sites are proposed for reclassification to "closed" (no OHV use); the others are proposed to be designated as areas with limitations on off-trail and nondesignated trail use pursuant to state law which eliminates the motorized hunter/trapper exceptions on state lands.
PUBLIC REVIEW MEETING
The DNR will hold a public meeting on this proposal from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 12, at the Silver Bay Reunion Hall, 97 Outer Drive in Silver Bay. The first hour will allow people to informally review the plan, maps and other summary materials. DNR, Lake County and Superior National Forest representatives will answer questions regarding motorized access planning for public forest lands in the county.
During the remainder of the meeting, DNR will present its proposal and respond to questions and comments.
PLANS AND MAPS NOW AVAILABLE
The DNR's Cook County forest classification and route designation proposals are available on the DNR Web site at www.findthetrails.com.
Copies may also be viewed during normal office hours at the DNR 's Two Harbors Area Office, 1568 Highway 2.
Written comments, questions or requests for copies of the planning documents should be directed to Brian McCann, DNR Trails & Waterways, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4052; to brian.mccann@dnr.state.mn.us or by calling (651) 259-5627 or toll free 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367).
Written comments on the draft proposal will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 22.
EVALUATION OF ROUTES, PROPOSED DESIGNATIONS
In all, the plan makes recommendations for about 220 miles of roads, trails and other inventoried routes on about 160,000 acres of state forest lands in Lake County. The proposal, which includes some existing route closures, will ultimately determine where motorized vehicles, including cars, trucks and off-highway vehicles (OHV), will be allowed to operate on state lands in the county. This proposal was developed in cooperation with Lake County, the Superior National Forest, the Fond du Lac Band and the 1854 Authority in an effort to foster consistency across land ownerships.
PROPOSED FOREST CLASSIFICATION
In Lake County, the DNR proposes to change all state forest lands located within the legal boundaries of the Superior National Forest (northern portion of the Finland State Forest) to a "limited" classification (routes are closed to motorized travel unless posted open). On Finland State Forest lands that lie outside the Superior National Forest boundaries in southern Lake and southwestern Cook counties, the DNR proposes to retain a "managed" classification (routes are open unless posted closed).
Under the proposal, scattered state forest lands outside of state and federal forest boundaries in the northern part of the county would be classified as "limited." While scattered state forest lands outside of state and federal forest boundaries in southern Lake County would remain "managed."
All state lands within the BWCAW will remain classified as "closed" to motor use under this proposal.
LIMITATIONS ON OFF-TRAIL, NONDESIGNATED TRAIL USE
In Lake County, seven areas totaling 12,065 acres (of state forest
lands) are proposed to receive special protections from vehicular use. These areas, ranging from 675 to 1,380 acres in size, were selected based upon high-to-outstanding biodiversity rankings, the absence of major roads and/or trails, and their proximity to unique or sensitive wildlife habitat, hydrologic features and traditional nonmotorized recreational use areas. Three of the sites are proposed for reclassification to "closed" (no OHV use); the others are proposed to be designated as areas with limitations on off-trail and nondesignated trail use pursuant to state law which eliminates the motorized hunter/trapper exceptions on state lands.
PUBLIC REVIEW MEETING
The DNR will hold a public meeting on this proposal from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 12, at the Silver Bay Reunion Hall, 97 Outer Drive in Silver Bay. The first hour will allow people to informally review the plan, maps and other summary materials. DNR, Lake County and Superior National Forest representatives will answer questions regarding motorized access planning for public forest lands in the county.
During the remainder of the meeting, DNR will present its proposal and respond to questions and comments.
PLANS AND MAPS NOW AVAILABLE
The DNR's Cook County forest classification and route designation proposals are available on the DNR Web site at www.findthetrails.com.
Copies may also be viewed during normal office hours at the DNR 's Two Harbors Area Office, 1568 Highway 2.
Written comments, questions or requests for copies of the planning documents should be directed to Brian McCann, DNR Trails & Waterways, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4052; to brian.mccann@dnr.state.mn.us or by calling (651) 259-5627 or toll free 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367).
Written comments on the draft proposal will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 22.