Becker county trail

[CASTnBLAST]

Curious,has anybody heard anymore about the new trail system slated to built this year?Also,where exactly is this supposed to be located in Becker county?

[Dave]

Just in.........

We have been informed that the Becker County Commissioners

are receiving a lot of negative comments regarding the

proposed 70 mile ATV trail. They have stated that if they

do not receive positive comments from the ATV community

they will vote NO for the proposed trail system.

Please contact them and tell them that YES, ATVer’s do want

the 70 mile ATV trail in Becker County. Details of the

proposed trail and county commissioner contact information

are listed below.

Thank you!

http://www.co.becker.mn.us/electedofficials.asp

Becker County Commissioners:

Larry Knutson

District 1

[email protected]

Harry Salminen

District 2

[email protected]

Karen Mulari

District 3

[email protected]

Bob Bristlin

District 4

[email protected]

Barry Nelson

District 5

[email protected]

Details about the 70 mile loop:

Becker County to host 70-mile ATV trail (2005-08-23)

Becker County has been selected to host a new 70-mile

all-terrain vehicle/off-highway motorcycle (ATV/OHM) trail.

Becker was one of several counties that submitted proposals

in response to a Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

request for help in siting a new ATV/OHM trail pursuant to

a 2003 Legislative directive. The new trail will be

planned, designed and constructed on a mix of state and

county-administered forest lands located in north and south

Round Lake Townships in north-central Becker County. The

trail should be completed and ready to ride by summer 2007.

The Becker County ATV/OHM trail system will provide a mix

of easy, intermediate and more difficult trails for riders

of various skill levels. Four rest areas with parking,

vehicle off-loading ramps, rest rooms and picnic facilities

are planned for various locations along the trail. This

trail system will be located approximately 20 miles from

Park Rapids, 25 miles from Detroit Lakes and about 250

miles from the Twin Cities metro area. A myriad of public

and private campgrounds and resorts are located within a

half-hour drive.

Counties play an important role in providing for

off-highway vehicle recreation according to Ron Potter, the

DNR's Off-Highway Vehicle Program supervisor.

He believes this ATV/OHM trail project provides "an

excellent opportunity for DNR and county land managers to

work together to provide a much needed recreational riding

opportunity for Minnesota's fast-growing population of ATV

and motorcycle trail riders."

Communities located along the trail are also expected to

benefit from increased tourism and added local economic

activity. For more information or for a copy of the Becker

County trail proposal, contact Tim Browning at (218)

755-3969 or by e-mail at [email protected].

[CASTnBLAST]

Guess I'll have to continue spending my money in Hubbard and Crow Wing counties.I'm sure northern Becker could use the extra income generated from this trail...not suprising though.

[Dave]

We have been informed that the Becker County Commissioners

will be voting on August 22, 2006, whether or not to

approve the proposed 70 mile ATV trail. If you have sent

in supporting comments in the past regarding this trail

system THANK YOU! Since this process is taking longer

than expected, the local ATV community is again asking for

ATVAM membership to send comments in support of the trail;

remind them of the economic value of having an ATV trail

system. The commissioners are still receiving a lot of

negative comments. Details of the proposed trail and

county commissioner contact information are listed below.

NEWS ARTICLE:

Becker tables ATV trail plan

By Nathan Bowe, Forum Communications Co.

Published Friday, July 28, 2006

http://www.parkrapidsenterprise.com/articles/index.cfm?id=6016&section=News

The contentious issue of a 70-mile designated ATV trail in

Becker County was tabled for 30 days Tuesday, after the

Becker County Board heard from a roomful of residents who

oppose the plan.

Two weeks ago, the board voted 4-1, with commissioner Larry

Knutson dissenting, to approve an agreement with the

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources that would have

allowed the county to be reimbursed in stages as the

project proceeded.

But the board later that day rescinded its approval because

the item had been added late to the county board agenda and

had not been publicized prior to the meeting.

Township officials are largely opposed to the pilot

project, which is to be built on county tax-forfeited land

and funded with $300,000 in state money.

Tuesday the Becker County Board voted to table the issue

until Aug. 22.

An attempt by Knutson to table it for 90 days failed,

largely because Commissioner Barry Nelson believed a delay

that long would “kill” the project.

Nelson - who supports the concept of a designated ATV

trail, but only if there is support for it - said he wants

a chance to assess the true level of tribal and township

support on the matter.

Becker County Commissioners:

Larry Knutson

District 1

[email protected]

Harry Salminen

District 2

[email protected]

Karen Mulari

District 3

[email protected]

Bob Bristlin

District 4

[email protected]

Barry Nelson

District 5

[email protected]

[Dave]

The Becker County Board has agreed to allow public input into the proposed 70-mile ATV Trail project at the meeting

Tuesday, Aug 22nd. It will start at 1:00 p.m. by introducing Ron Potter, DNR Off Highway Vehicle Program

Coordinator and Representative Tom Hackbarth to talk about

the 70-mile ATV trail project. This will be followed by

Bill Johnson, MN-DNR. Mr. Johnson will talk about the

Forest Designation and trail access process. They have

slated ½ hour for this.

The Anti-Access Group, Citizens for Reasonable and

Responsible ATV Use, will then be allowed ½ hour to speak.

Sheila Blanford, Tamarac Resort and Campground will follow

with 10 minutes and Jeff Moritz, Woods & Wheels ATV Club

with another 10 minutes. The floor will then be opened for

open forum. Speakers will be asked to sign up as they come

in and GIVEN THREE MINUTES TO STATE THEIR CASE. The County

Board will take testimony until 4:00 PM and will then vote.

THIS IS A MAKE OR BREAK MEETING!

As many people as possible need to attend. Many

ANTI-access groups have been active in this area and will

be in attendance. The comments from residents will take

precedence, but most officials are usually not opposed to

hearing from non-residents. When submitting comments, be

polite and courteous. Any derogatory comments will be

discarded.

Date: Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Time: 1:00 p.m.

Location:

Becker County Court House

3rd Floor Court Room

913 Lake Ave

Detroit Lakes MN 56501

[PRWoody]

Dave,

This will be a big battle for the NE part of Becker county.

ATV's have been an enforcement problem in that area all

summer long. The ATV community needs to clean up there

act when it comes to riding in the Two Inlets area.

It is a joke. I see at least 5 violations every weekend

in that area. So, I am in favor of the trail system. I

believe that MIGHT keep the stupid riders from riding on

the road right aways! But, it won't stop them from

jumping in and out of the wetlands!

Woody

[Dave]

Woody, no dispute there.

[PRWoody]

Dave,

The disputed area has been between Two Inlets to the Net,

up to Itasca State Park. Hopefully, the new trail system

will help relieve that area. But, I question if the

riders will still travel to the Net and Two Inlets for

beverages, gas and food. Have you traveled in that

area or any other FM'rs? Just curious your thoughts

about ATVs in that area. I think the trail would be

great for the local economy and would help some of the

out of area businesses get some fall and spring income.

[Dave]

I haven't rode in that area for quite a few years. Just like any other recreation, however, if someone comes up with how to make people responsible, they may be a write in for Governor.

[SomethingFishy*]

How did this meeting turn out last night?

[PRWoody]

FYI, it was on the local news this morning. Becker

county commissioners rejected the trail.

[SomethingFishy*]

looks like becker county doesn't like $$$