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STATE FORESTS:
As a result of 2003 legislation, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is
currently going through an exhaustive process to create managed use of off-road
recreation on managed trails. This process began with a thorough inventory of all
currently existing routes in the state forests and is being followed by the designation
of sustainable trails that are to be left open for off-road use. When completed
the forests will either be classified as "closed " (not open to any off-road motorized
use) or "limited" (all trails are closed unless specifically designated as open).
In the end we will have a managed trail system with detailed maps available of where
trucks can go wheeling in Minnesota on state lands.The MN4WDA supports the DNR’s
move to "managed use on manages trails" as long as ORVs (Off-Road Vehicles) actually
get trails.
Website for forest plan information and maps: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/
Wealthwood State Forest
Final plans go to the commissioner to be signed 10/31/05. The new proposal
leaves this forest limited instead of closed, while there are not trails the limited
classification allows access during hunting season to those with big game and trapping
licenses. The MN4WDA supports this proposal.
Solana State Forest
Final plans go to the commissioner to be signed 10/31/05. There are no trails
proposed to be designated for ORVs in this forest. The MN4WDA does not support
this proposal.
Fond du Lac State Forest
Final plans go to the commissioner to be signed 12/08/05. There are no trails
proposed to be designated for ORVs in this forest. The MN4WDA does not support this
proposal.
Whiteface River State Forest
Final plans go to the commissioner to be signed 12/08/05. This forest has
been proposed to be closed. The MN4WDA supports this proposal.
Nemadji and St. Croix State Forests
Final plans go to the commissioner to be signed in January of 2006. There
are a few miles of trails proposed to be designated for ORVs. The MN4WDA supports
these proposals. These trails will need to go through an EAW (Environmental
Assessment Worksheet).
Rum River State Forest
Designation and classification proposal as well as maps will go public in January
2006. Public hearings will be held approximately a month thereafter.
It does not appear that the proposal will include any designated trails for ORVs.
The MN4WDA would not support any proposal that does not include ORV trails and has
suggestions as to routes that should be left open.
Paul Bunyan State Forest
Final plans go to the commissioner to be signed in February of 2006.
The area team proposed three ORV loops consisting of approximately 2 miles of ORV
only trail, 5 miles of shared trail, and 2 miles of minimum maintenance road the
DNR will administer for "recreational" purposes. The MN4WDA does not support this
plan because this mileage is not enough and has made recommendations for additional
specific trails that we would like to see left open in our public comments.
Beltrami Island State Forest
Final plans go to the commissioner to be signed in April of 2006. There are
no trails proposed to be designated for ORVs in this forest, however, as per the
option given the commissioner by 2005 legislation this forest will remain classified
as managed or "open unless posted closed".
Crow Wing and Emily State Forests
Designation and classification proposal as well as maps will go public in August
of 2006.
Cloquet Valley State Forest
Designation and classification proposal as well as maps will go public in fall
of 2006.
Sturgeon River State Forest
Designation and classification proposal as well as maps will go public in
fall of 2006.
Badoura State Forest
There are no trails proposed to be designated for ORVs in this forest. The
MN4WDA supports this plan.
General CC Andrews and Chengwatana State Forests
Final plans approved by commissioner, ORVs are only allowed on system forest and
minimum maintenance roads.
Pillsbury State Forest
Final plan approved by commissioner closes this forest to all off road motorized
travel enforceable as of July 1st, 2005.
Foothills State Forest
Final plan approved by the commissioner includes the previously designated
eleven shared miles of trails at Spider Lake and 3.9 miles of ORV-only trail along
the power line forming a triangle with the Bull Moose system forest road. The MN4WDA
supports this plan. For a printable color map of the trails open to ORVs in this
forest please visit:
foothills_hlv_2005-04-14.pdf
Cass County plans to designate trails open to ORVs in the northern part of the Foothills
which is county administered. The MN4WDA is working with and supports Cass county
in this endeavor. Maps of these trails, once available, will be on the county’s
web site.
The "limited" classification of this forest is enforceable as of December 31st,
2005.
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