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[Dave]

DNR seeks comment on two proposed motorized recreation trails; grant-in-aid trail proposes 182 miles of riding opportunity (2005-05-31)

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public comments on 182-miles of proposed off-highway vehicle (OHV) trails located in Beltrami, Marshall and Roseau counties in northwestern Minnesota. This grant-in-aid proposal includes the use of mostly existing routes located on Consolidated Conservation (or Con-Con) lands, along private land easements and within public road rights-of-way.

The proposed trail connects ATV trails on DNR wildlife management areas with trails in the Beltrami Island State Forest. With the OHV designation, the proposed grant-in-aid trail would be open to ATVs, off-highway motorcycles and off-road vehicles. The trails would be monitored and maintained as part of the DNR's designated OHV trail system.

The DNR is simultaneously putting two separate motorized recreation trail proposals out for public review-this county-sponsored grant-in-aid proposal and a proposal would add 39 miles of ATV trail to existing corridors through or adjacent to wildlife management areas comprised of Con-Con lands.

Beltrami County is sponsoring the Fourtown/Grygla grant-in-aid trail on behalf of the Fourtown/Grygla Sportsman's Club, who would maintain it for public OHV use. Trail access, parking, food and fuel are available in the city of Grygla (Marshall County), at the Fourtown Store in Minnie Township (Beltrami County) and at the Skime Store in Reine Township (Roseau County).

Parking and staging areas would be located at Grande Corner in Spruce Grove Township (Beltrami County) and in the Grygla city park (Marshall County). Rest rooms, barbeque pits and a picnic shelter are also located in the Grygla city park and at Grande Corner.

The proposal recommends that the Fourtown/Grygla grant-in-aid trail be open for OHV use from approximately May 15 to November 1 of each year. Temporary closures may also be imposed at any time to protect public safety, natural resources, the trail surface or trail users.

Copies of the project proposal are available for review at the Northwest Regional Library, 210 North Labree Avenue in Thief River Falls; at DNR Trails and Waterways offices located at 246 125th Ave. NE in Thief River Falls and 6603 Bemidji Ave. North in Bemidji; at the DNR Forestry office in Grygla; and at the DNR library located at 500 Lafayette Road in St. Paul. Project documents are available for download at www.dnr.state.mn.us.

Written comments will be accepted until 4:00 p.m. on July 1. Comments should be directed to Mary Broten, DNR Trails and Waterways, 246 - 125th Ave. NE, Thief River Falls, MN 56701. Letters may also be faxed to (218) 681 0948 or e-mailed to [email protected].

Responses to public comments will be released on the DNR Web site following the public comment period. At that time, the DNR will determine if an environmental assessment worksheet is needed due to the project's proposed mileage. If the DNR decides to go forward with the project, these trails will be considered, along with other proposed trails, for grant-in-aid funding.