Minnesota DNR Invites Public Input on Proposed ATV Trail in Itasca County
Comments are due by Friday, Dec. 7 at 4:30 p.m.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites the public to review and comment on a proposal to authorize state Grant-in-Aid (GIA) funding for the Bigfork to Balsam All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Trail in Itasca County.
The proposed funding will provide a managed ATV trail that connects the city of Bigfork to the Balsam Trail Blazers ATV Club trail in northern Itasca County. The county will sponsor the trail and provide trail monitoring, development and maintenance in cooperation with the Wilderness Wheelers ATV Club.
Most of the trail, which is approximately 25 miles, is located in the George Washington State Forest in northern Itasca County. Parts of the trail go through the Chippewa National Forest and in the rights-of-way of Itasca County roads. Approximately one mile of new trail would be developed on state forest land.
The majority of the trail route is already open to all ATV use. Segments of the trail that pass through state or federal lands also would continue to be open to nonmotorized uses, such as hiking and horseback riding.
The DNR welcomes public input on the trail proposal. Copies of the proposal and a project map are available for review online at www.mndnr.gov/input. To request a printed copy, call 218-999-7922 or toll-free 888-646-6367.
Written comments on the proposal should be directed to: Andrew Brown, assistant area supervisor, DNR Parks and Trails Division, 1201 E. Highway 2, Grand Rapids, MN 55744. Comments can also be sent by email to andrew.brown@state.mn.us or by fax to 218-999-7915.
