Project description
Background
Between 2003 and 2008, the DNR classified Minnesota’s state forests as limited, managed or closed with regard to motorized use. The DNR also inventoried over 12,000 miles of forest routes and designated 831 miles of all-terrain vehicle (ATV)/off-highway motorcycle (OHM) trail, 143 miles of single-track OHM trail, 27 miles of off-road vehicle (ORV) trail, and 2,300 miles of roads for OHV use. Over 3,000 miles were closed, and 827 miles were designated as non-motorized trails.
On the inventoried routes that were not designated or closed, motor vehicle use is permitted in forests classified as managed and prohibited in forests classified as limited or closed. The process was limited to inventory, classification, and disposition of existing routes; new trails were not proposed.
The DNR has started a review of the forest trail systems to identify new trail routes and connections, areas for special management, and to close trails that have proven unsustainable. The trail system changes will not include changing forest-wide limited, managed, or closed motorized classifications.
Scope
The DNR will consider designating new trails and trail connections for all types of use, both motorized and non-motorized. The trails may be designated for one or more uses. The DNR expects some trails will be closed (undesignated), or that the designated uses for the trails may change. The DNR may designate some trails currently funded through the grant-in-aid program as DNR forest trails.
The review will not include forest-wide changes in classification, other state forest recreation facilities like campgrounds or day-use areas, or state corridor trails specifically authorized in statute.
The DNR will also consider designating areas for special management. For example, state law (Minn. Stat. Sec. 84.926) provides specific hunting and trapping-related exceptions to the normal prohibition on off-trail ATV use in limited forests. The DNR may designate areas where these exceptions no longer apply and off-trail ATV use will not be allowed.
Process details
State forests will be reviewed either individually or in geographically-related groups. The public will be invited to an initial scoping meeting to review preliminary DNR suggestions and submit their own ideas and recommendations. A draft proposal will be developed following the scoping meeting.
A notice in the State Register, and in legal newspapers that serve the counties in which the forest is located, will announce the availability of the draft proposal. As required by statute, at least 60 days after the State Register notice, the DNR will hold a public meeting to receive comments. The DNR will consider all comments received, revise the proposal, and complete any required environmental review. New trail designations, trail closures, and special management area designations will be established by written order published in the State Register.
Process objectives
- Designate a sustainable system of forest roads and trails that provide for diverse motorized and non-motorized public recreation and access.
- Close unsustainable routes to vehicular travel.
- Designated trails and trail systems that provide a ‘quality’ recreational experience, and provide connections to other recreation facilities, support services and other popular destinations.
- Forest roads and trails that provide adequate access for both recreational and utilitarian purposes (e.g., hunting, trapping, angling, firewood collecting, berry and mushroom picking, etc.)
- Management options not available or not used during the 2003-2008 process will be implemented:
- Hunter/walking trails designated;
- Areas where the hunting and trapping exceptions do not apply;
- New trails designated to provide improved state forest access and trail connections.
- Trail systems will be designated in forests classified “managed.”
- The public will be engaged in recommending and reviewing changes to forest trail systems and management.
More information
For more information about trail designation in state forests, contact:
Molly Lou Pintok
Division of Parks and Trails
651-259-5095
[email protected]