Tag Archive for 'Minnesota DNR'

DNR seeks comments on Environmental Assessment Worksheet for expansion of the Iron Range OHVRA

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Courtesy of ATVAM and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

ATVAM DNR Updates - November 2009
News Releases

DNR seeks comments on Environmental Assessment Worksheet for Virginia expansion of the Iron Range Off-highway Vehicle Recreation Area

(Released November 16, 2009)

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) is seeking public comments through Dec. 16 on a proposal to develop a 2,704-acre expansion to the existing Iron Range Off-highway Vehicle Recreation Area (OHVRA), in Gilbert, Minn. The proposed expansion site is located one mile north of the existing Iron Range OHVRA, partially within the city of Virginia, Minn.

The Virginia expansion site will be managed out of the existing facility, which will be linked to the expansion area by a connector road. This proposed expansion includes the development of the connector road, a core trail system, vehicle-specified trails, and perimeter fencing.
Public comments on the EAW will be accepted during the 30-day public review period from Nov. 16 to Dec. 16.

A copy of the EAW is available online. Additional copies may be requested by calling 651-259-5157.

A copy of the EAW is available for public review at:
DNR Library, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55155
DNR Northeast Regional Headquarters (Region 2), 1201 E. Highway 2, Grand Rapids, MN 55744

Minneapolis Public Library, Government Documents, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55401

Arrowhead Regional Library, Duluth Public Library, 520 W Superior St., Duluth, MN 55802
Virginia Public Library, 215 5th Ave S, Virginia, MN USA 55792

Gilbert Public Library, 17 N Broadway, P.O. Box 75, Gilbert, MN 55741-0758

The EAW was published in the Nov. 16, EQB Monitor.

Written comments on the EAW must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec.16 to the attention of Ronald Wieland, EAW Project Manager, Environmental Policy and Review Unit, Division of Ecological Resources, DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN, 55155-4025.

Electronic or e-mail comments may be sent to environmental.review@dnr.state.mn.us with “Virginia OHVRA” in the subject line. If submitting comments electronically, include your name and mailing address. Written comments may also be sent by fax to 651-297-1500.

ATVAM Office
PO Box 296
Geneva, MN 56035
1-800-442-8826
www.atvam.org
atvamoffice@atvam.org

Temporary off-highway vehicle trail closures aim to protect riders and hunters

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on October 28, 2009
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Courtesy of the Minnesota DNR:

DNR NEWS - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2009

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) forest trails and
access routes will be closed to off-highway vehicles (OHV) at times
during November to protect recreational riders from potentially unsafe
riding conditions and to minimize conflicts between deer hunters and
recreational riders during the 2009 firearms deer hunting season.

The trail closures apply to the use of all-terrain vehicles,
off-highway motorcycles, and off-road vehicles, such as jeeps and
four-wheel drive trucks, by recreational riders on state forest trails
or non-designated forest access routes.

Licensed deer hunters may still use these routes in conjunction with
their hunting activity:
• Before legal shooting time.
• From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• After legal shooting hours.

Effective dates of the recreational riding restrictions will be:
• Nov. 7 through Nov. 22 for the northeastern Minnesota 100 Series
deer season.
• Nov. 7 through Nov. 15 for the Minnesota 200 Series deer
season.

Because recreational OHV trails located in southeastern Minnesota close
Nov. 1 each year, no additional OHV riding restrictions are necessary in
that part of the state.

While many recreational OHV riders have voluntarily opted not to ride
forest trails during deer hunting and small game seasons, recreational
OHV riding has become a year-around sport for many. That is why Holsten
reminds everyone who visits Minnesota’s state forests this fall to
always put safety first.

For more information, see the 2009 firearms deer season zone map posted
online at:

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/outdoor_activities/hunting/deer/2009/zone_map.pdf
or call 651-296-6157
or 888-646-6367.

Media contacts: Colleen Coyne, DNR communications director,
651-259-5023; Patricia Arndt, Minnesota State Parks planning and public
affairs manager, 651-259-5578.

Northern Traxx ATV club receives Grant from Yamaha Access Initiative

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on April 23, 2009
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atv-cliff-rue1

Northern Traxx ATV Club in Chisholm, Minn.,  is pleased to announce that they’ve been approved for and have received a trail grant from the Yamaha OHV Access Initiative in the amount of $10,000.

The money will be used toward wetland delineation costs and to purchase wetland credits for any areas that maybe impacted.  Northern Traxx ATV Club has been working on developing a 10 mile ATV trail for 4+ years, the trail will start in Chisholm and travel north approx 10 miles to the Highway 5 Bar & Grill.

News of the grant couldn’t have come at a better time for Northern Traxx ATV Club as the Minnesota construction season is just getting under way. Northern Traxx ATV club has pending grants with the Minnesota DNR trails program and the federal trail program, the timing of the Yamaha Grant will allow Northern Traxx to move even closer to the actual construction stage of the project.

Northern Traxx ATV Club wants to send out a HUGE “thank you” to the Yamaha Corporation, Yamaha OHV Access Initiative committee, City of Chisholm, DNR, Cliff Rue Motors and all the local businesses and people helping to move the project ahead!

Larry Folstad
Northern Traxx ATV Club
Chisholm, MN  55719
218-969-6789

Slow opener?

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on November 12, 2008
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Slow opener???   I seen more ATVs in the back of trucks than Deer!!!

If you’ll be in the woods this weekend like me, please be considerate to other hunters.  If you shoot a deer in the morning, you might have to have a buddy help you drag it out as opposed to your ATV.  Below I’ve posted the most recent reminder from ATVAM and the MN DNR  about special ATV regulations for deer hunting in our area.
Good Luck and Be SAFE……..

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ATV and other OHV riders: Riding restrictions start with Firearms deer season opener (November 5, 2008).

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds off-highway vehicle (OHV) riders that new recreational riding restrictions will be in effect for the duration of the regular firearms deer hunting season. This restriction is intended to protect recreational OHV riders from potentially unsafe riding conditions and to minimize conflicts between deer hunters and recreational riders who may unintentionally interrupt the hunt.

The restrictions apply to off-highway vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles, and off-road vehicles such as Jeeps and four-wheel-drive trucks that are not being used in conjunction with deer hunting by a licensed deer hunter.

In the northeastern Minnesota 100 Series deer season, the recreational riding restriction will be in effect Nov. 8 through Nov. 23. In Minnesota 200 Series deer season, the recreational riding restriction will be in effect Nov. 8 through Nov. 16.

(The 2008 Series deer season map is available at www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/deer/index.html under Maps.)

The riding restrictions do not apply to OHV use by deer hunters possessing a valid firearms deer hunting license.  They may operate an OHV during the following times: before legal shooting time (one-half hour before sunrise); from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and after legal shooting hours (one-half hour after sunset).  Wearing blaze orange is recommended during the firearms deer season when visiting Minnesota’s forest lands, said Capt. Mike Hammer, Education Program coordinator for the DNR Enforcement Division.

“See and be seen; it’s a common sense thing to do,” Hammer said. “The DNR urges all hunters heading afield for the firearms deer season to think about safety first.”

Planning to ride during hunting season? Practice safety first.

Published
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on October 10, 2008
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Planning to do some riding during hunting seasons?

With the early “special weekend” deer and bow hunting season going on right now, lots of people have questions about ATVing. I’ve posted an update from the Minnesota DNR (found below) that explains the regulations during hunting seasons. In summary, the rule is that there is limited time during the day that you can ride during the “regular” deer hunting season. There are no riding restrictions during the day for early deer or bow hunting season.

That being said I do encourage riders to respect the hunters and try to keep from scaring possible game away!!!

We’ve been out riding recently and came up on bird hunters, we stopped and talked to the hunters and determined that they were headed in the same direction as us. After talking with the hunters we were able to take a different route to our destination. The hunters were more than happy and appreciated the fact that we cared enough to just ask how there day was going and let them know we’d take a different route so we didn’t jump any birds that might be on the trial ahead.

A SAFETY TIP for everyone in the woods this time of year - Wear a blaze orange vest, hat or anything that will enhance your visibility in the woods!

Continue reading ‘Planning to ride during hunting season? Practice safety first.’