DNR access plans for Nemadji and St.Croix State Forests

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Update from ATVAM

DNR completes motorized access plans for Nemadji and St.

Croix state forests

Effective Dec. 31, 2006, the St. Croix and Nemadji state forests, both in Pine County, will be officially classified as "limited" for motorized access. The two forests were evaluated under 2003 legislation requiring the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to examine all state forests and determine where motorized recreation and access can be accommodated while conserving natural resources.

Under the "limited" classification, motorized access is restricted to forest roads and trails where signs specifically indicate that a particular type of motorized access is allowed. OHVs include all terrain vehicles (ATVs), off-highway motorcycles (OHMs) or "dirt bikes," and off-road vehicles (ORVs), such as Jeep CJs and four-wheel drive trucks.

The designation of the St. Croix and Nemadji State forests represents the culmination of several years of work. During that time all forest trails and roads were inventoried and mapped, environmental concerns were evaluated and public comments were gathered. Under the new designation, the Nemadji State Forest will feature 201.4 miles of motorized routes, with about 23 miles restricted to OHMs only.

In the St. Croix State Forest, about 67 miles of motorized routes will be available. During review of the Nemadji, DNR field teams identified several disturbed sites along the Park and Potlatch Forest roads that may be suitable for future development of ORV-only trails, and will begin exploring that possibility as part of a separate process.

Thirty-two miles of non-motorized trails also were designated in the two forests: 22.25 miles of horseback trails, seven miles of sled dog trails, and 0.75 miles of hiking trail in the St. Croix; and two miles of hiking trail in the Nemadji.

The 2003 OHV legislation mandating forest reclassification arose in response to the growing popularity of OHVs amid public concerns that unmanaged use on state lands would negatively impact natural resources and cause conflicts with non-motorized recreation. By designating a system of managed trails, officials believe the potential for such problems will be minimized.

The process to evaluate all state forests for OHV use is expected to take until the end of 2008. Criteria used to decide where OHV use is appropriate include the potential for damage to vegetation, wildlife, wetlands and other sensitive natural resources; existing motorized use patterns within a forest; and the proximity of other motorized and nonmotorized recreational opportunities.

For details about OHV riding opportunities in the St.

Croix, Nemadji and other state forests, including maps of designawww. atvam.org ted forest roads and trails, visit the DNR Web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us.

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