Northern Counties Ban DNR Vehicles From County Roads

[Dave]

Future of DNR vehicles on some county roads iffy

By Laurel Beager, Senior Writer

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Wednesday, January 26, 2005

Koochiching County commissioners Tuesday took a step toward adopting a ban on Minnesota Department of Natural Resources vehicles from using county roads.

Commissioners unanimously took action that says they intend to adopt a resolution similar to one taken in Roseau County earlier this month that bans DNR vehicles from roads. The county board's action takes effect March 31. Commissioners plan to revisit the issue and may adopt a motion banning DNR vehicles when they meet again Feb. 8.

The Roseau resolution was also supported by a similar resolution adopted this week by Lake of the Woods county

board.

Koochiching County officials also agreed to send a letter to the Roseau County board, as well as to Gov. Tim Pawlenty, DNR Commissioner Gene Merriam, and other counties, explaining that Koochiching County understands and supports the Roseau County resolution.

The Roseau County board action stems from a draft plan being developed by the DNR for Beltrami Island State Forest. The plan includes an intention to close some traditional trails. The Roseau resolution basically treats DNR vehicles and machinery in the same manner that the DNR is treating motorized users in that forest: The roads are closed to use unless posted open.

The DNR has scheduled a public meeting on the draft Forest Road and Trail Designation Plan for the Beltrami Island State Forest for 6-9 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Warroad High School.

The Roseau board's resolution designates all roads in unorganized townships in the county closed to DNR vehicles and machinery unless specifically posted open. It further states that the DNR may access closed roads by permit only and may obtain the permits from the county commissioner in whose district the road is located.

Because there are no organized townships in Koochiching, the resolution would include county roads.

Koochiching commissioners say they, too, are frustrated and concerned about what appears to be tightening of restrictions on land use in northern Minnesota. A plan for use of the Pine Island State Forest in Koochiching County is slated for 2006, according to the DNR.

County Board Chairman Mike Hanson said he's discussed the issue with Lake of the Woods and Roseau county commissioners. He said they are "drawing a line in the sand."

He noted that the sheriff and county attorney in Roseau County have agreed to implement the ban.

While some commissioners were ready to adopt a ban on DNR vehicles immediately, others said they want more information about the specifics of the resolutions and how they may affect the area.

Hanson said Lake of the Woods commissioners fear that the DNR will retaliate by shutting down all logging operations in the county.

A call to Dave Thomas, DNR area forest supervisor in Baudette, to verify how the Lake of the Woods action may affect logging there was not returned by press time.

Hanson asked the board to support the action taken by Roseau and Lake of the Woods, but he also wants to wait to see if the action results in changes in the trail designations in the Beltrami forest.

Commissioner Kallie Briggs said she, too, wanted to give more time to the issue before adopting a ban on DNR vehicles. She encouraged the board to meet with DNR representatives to talk about the issue.

But commissioners Wade Pavleck and Charles "Chuck" Lepper said there's been enough talk about land use and restricting use to the outdoors by the state.

"If we really want to support them, we would adopt the same resolution," Pavleck said.

Pavleck recalled a time when Koochiching took a stand against the state's wetland rules and wanted support from other counties with similar concerns.

However, Pavleck complimented local DNR staff's efforts in the area and said he did not want to impede their work in the area.

And Lepper said the process the state uses in developing these sorts of plans is often without discussion with local officials. He said public hearings on draft plans are of no use because "it's a done deal" before the hearings.

"We're going to be hugely impacted (by the forest plan) and we're not going to get a seat at the table," he added.

Pavleck suggested the board adopt a motion of intent to adopt a resolution banning use, effective at a later date, to allow the board to discuss the issue further.

Sen. Tom Saxhaug told The Journal this morning that he has been informed of the concerns in the northern counties about the forest plans, which were initiated by legislation enacted in 2003. That legislation requires the DNR to move toward a "closed unless posted open" management policy for off-highway vehicles on state forest lands as the state prepares to restrict their use to roads and trails specifically designated for them.

Saxhaug said he plans to gather more information on the issue and suggested that he may offer a bill that would treat forests in northern and southern Minnesota differently.

"The snow is on the ground now," he said. "I'd rather they all give it a couple months and we could probably take care of it."