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The DNR was charged by the Legislature to inventory all forest trails. For southern Minnesota, this is the Richard Dorer State Forest which includes most of our public riding areas. The purpose of the open house is to provide the public with an opportunity to review maps of inventoried access routes and comment on current and desired future public uses, both motorized and non-motorized. The DNR planning team will use comments received to help guide their preliminary proposals for road and trail designations.
There will be an opportunity to talk with DNR representative as well as complete and return comment forms to the DNR. These forms can also be e-mailed back. The DNR wants input from users who know the areas so no trails are missed. If it's being used, they want to designate it. Terry was told they are not looking at new trails at this time; they just need correct information on what is there. These are the trails that will be designated when the DNR returns to the Legislature.
A web site for maps & info is the DNR website.
There have also been a lot of questions about whether horse trail pass money is being used only for equine trails- the answer is yes! The 2007 money was $117,000 after expenses-
Projects to be funded in 2008:
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Hay Creek trail rehab- $35,000 (supplements a larger project Trails & Waterways is undertaking as a pilot project in trail rehab)
- Zumbro Bottoms trail rehab $10,000
- Maplewood trail rehab-$27,000
- St Croix-signs-trail orientation-$10,000 (this also is a pilot project - better signage is needed in most places)
- Forestville-replace 2 toilets in horse campgrounds-$30,000
- Upper Sioux trail rehab-$5000
Please, buy your horse trail pass! The DNR officials are excited about working with equestrians to ensure sustainable trails that future riders will be able to use. They know there is a backlog of work since there has been no money, but they are working hard to come up with other sources including writing for Federal grants.
If any questions, e-mail Terry Leary |
