MN ATV Task Force

[Dave]

Took the opportunity yesterday to observe my first DNR ATV Task Force meeting. What a disappointed. Even though the Force members are mixed around the table, you can see the walls and tension between the sides. Some people appear to be "neutral" and would like to hear both sides of the issue.

Was kind of funny, but not surprising, when Jamie Juniemann (sp?) asked how many trails are dispersed with one or more miles of "wilderness" on both sides of the trail. Or, how many acres of true "wilderness" does MN have. Meaning if you're ou there, you can't see or hear anyone else. Well, somedays, I've experienced that in forests right up by Mille Lacs lake.

When asked for suggestions from the Task Force on future speakers/presenters to invite, the "anti's" (just using that word as an easy way to differentiate the sides) list was quite long. When the "pro" invite suggestions came along, they were scoffed at by the "anti" Jamie Junneimann since the suggested speakers were toursim business that can talk about economic values, etc, etc.

My opinion, this Task Force well be nothing more than a controlled arguement.