Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Notice of Proposed Classification of State Forest Lands In Southern St. Louis and Carlton Counties, Minnesota
with Respect to Motor Vehicle Use
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) proposes to classify all State Forest Lands within Southern St. Louis County, including lands within the Cloquet Valley State Forest, and state forest lands in Carlton County, with respect to motor vehicle operation. The proposal is to assign all state lands lands under the authority of the Commissioner, to one of the following classes: (pursuant to MN Rules Chapter 6100.1950).
1. "Managed", in which forest roads and trails are open for motor vehicle use unless posted closed;
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2. "Limited", in which forest roads are open to motor vehicle use unless posted closed, and forest trails are closed to motor vehicle use unless posted open, or
3. "Closed", in which forest roads are open only to motor vehicles licensed for highway use. No off-highway vehicles are permitted, except for operation on frozen public waters. Snowmobiles may operate on designated trails only in closed forests.
This proposal covers the Cloquet Valley State Forest, and scattered forest lands under the authority of the Commissioner located outside of State Forest boundaries in both Southern St. Louis and Carlton Counties. In total, just over 144,000 acres of state forest land, and 300 miles of roads, trails and non-designated routes were evaluated with respect to motor vehicle use. In conjunction with the proposed classification, the DNR has developed a road and trail designation proposal that identifies those routes on state forest lands that will remain open to motorized vehicle use.
The DNR will hold two public meetings on this proposal, the first on Wednesday June 20 at the Cotton Community Center located approximately 30 miles north of Duluth near the intersection of Arkola Road and Highway 53 (west frontage road) in Cotton, and the second on Thursday, June 21 at the Rice Lake Town Hall located at 4107 West Beyer Road in Duluth. Both meetings will run from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The first hour of each meeting will allow people to informally review the plan, maps and other summary materials. DNR and St. Louis County Land Department representatives will be on hand to answer questions regarding motorized access planning for public forest lands in the county. During the remainder of the meeting, the DNR will present its proposal and respond to questions and comments. Written comments will also be accepted.
The DNR's Forest Classification & Route Designation Proposal, supporting maps and other materials, are available at www.dnr.state.mn.us . Copies of the documents may also be viewed at the DNR's Cloquet Area Forestry Office located at 1604 South Highway 33 in Cloquet, MN or are available upon request from:
Brian McCann, Planner
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
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Box 52, 500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155-4052
Phone: (651) 259-5627 or
Toll Free 1-888-MINNDNR
E-mail: brian.mccann@dnr.state.mn.us
Written comments on the proposal may be submitted to the above address until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 29, 2007.
Laurie H. Martinson, Deputy Commissioner
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
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Published in the Pine Journal on April 25, 2007
