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Sounding (the silent sports) Alarm [6.07] DNR STAFF CRITICAL OF PLAN FOR ATVS IN NH-AL Most of the Wisconsin DNR staff who have reviewed a proposal to allow ATVs in the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest (NH-AL) have raised concerns about the plan. Several wildlife and fisheries biologists worry that one or both of the proposed ATV trails totalling 60 miles would harm lakes and wetlands, according to a review of their comments by the Lakeland Times published May 11. DNR fisheries team supervisor David Neuswanger wrote that he would "strongly oppose" routing an ATV trail within a half mile of two lakes, as proposed by NH-AL Sustainable ATV Trail Stakeholders Group. Other biologists suggested the ATV trails as proposed are too close to bird nesting areas and would track in invasive species. Neuswanger said ATVing would not only threaten water quality and fish habitat, the activity would decrease the quality of the experience of fishing in the forest. "Social scientists have documented psychological and economic values associated with the increasingly rare phenomenon of silence for those who participate in hiking canoeing, fishing, kayaking, camping, etc. in wilderness or near-wilderness settings," he wrote, according to the newspaper. On the other hand, DNR forestry team leader Jeff Olson noted that the proposed routes largely follow established roads and snowmobile trails so the forest want be further fragmented. The stakeholder group, which has been meeting for more than a year, is expected to finalize its recommendations this month. The plan will then go to the Natural Resources Board for consideration. For more information, go to http://dnr.wi.gov/master_planning/nhal/NHAL-atvstakeholder.htm. Minneapolis singletrack validates urban mtb'ing It used to be that mountain bikers were the weirdoes. Now it's the presence of fat tire riders that is keeping the real weirdoes away, according to the New York Times. A prime example of this has resulted from the popularity of new singletrack at the Theodore Wirth Park near Minnea-polis. The four miles of trail attracts up to 200 mountain bikers on Saturdays, which has scared off the Goth kids and "scary naked men" that used to frequent the park, the Times reported on April 27. This is seen as a welcome byproduct of mountain biking becoming "a viable urban activity" in the Twin Cities as well as in at least 14 other major metro areas throughout the country. The Times credited Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, an avid cyclist, and former parks commissioner John Erwin for partnering with the Minneapolis Off-Road Cycling Advocates to create the city's first singletrack, which officially opened in June 2005. As many as 200 MOCA volunteers, using no power tools, built the four-plus miles of singletrack at Wirth Park. MOCA, the Minneapolis chapter of the Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists (MORC), hopes to eventually complete a12-mile trail system in the park and maintain it at no cost to the city, according to Minnesota Trails, a publication of the Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota. The Times noted that mountain biking within city limits used to be opposed by hikers, bird-watchers and environmentalists. But sustainable trail-building guidelines and standards adopted and promoted by MOCA, such as "never scare animals, leave no trace, always yield … have helped validate the sport." Find out how to get involved at www.mocatrails.org. OUTDOOR RECREATIONISTS SPEND BILLIONS IN MIDWEST Active outdoor recreation contributes $9.7 billion annually to the Wisconsin economy, according to report released by the Outdoor Industry Foundation (OIF) in April. Hiking, biking, camping and wildlife viewing supports 129,000 jobs, generates $570 million in state tax revenue and produces $7.5 billion in retail sales and services every year in Wisconsin, the report states. "Wisconsin not only attracts those from out of state to take part in outdoor recreation but also, with exceptional close-to-home recreation, generates economic activity from active Wisconsinites," the OIF concluded. The study found that 36 percent of Wisconsinites 16 years of age and older, or more than 1.5 million state residents, enjoy bicycling. Even more – 48 percent, or 2.1 million people in Wisconsin – said they are bird and wildlife watchers. Campers account for 27 percent of state residents, trail users (including runners, day hikers, backpackers and rock climbers) follow at 25 percent, and 19 percent of Wisconsinites said they are kayakers and canoeists. Anglers and hunters are, respectively, 20 percent and 13 percent of the state population. Outdoor recreation in other Midwestern states generates billions in revenue, too. OIF reported that outdoor activity in Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio together generates nearly $62 billion a year, including more than $7 billion in gear sales and $34 billion in trip-related spending. The seven-state region that includes Minnesota and Iowa benefits from a nearly $24 billion outdoor recreation industry. These numbers reflect the economic contribution of nonmotorized recreation. The OIF study did not include the impact of snowmobiling or ATV'ing, for instance. More national, regional and state data is available at www.outdoorindustryfoundation.org. ATV ACCIDENTS SPUR TALK OF FEDERAL REGULATION The danger of ATVs, especially when ridden by children, is receiving increasing media attention. In 2005, at least 40,400 children were hospitalized for ATV-related injuries and 120 were killed, accounting for one fourth of all ATV fatalities nationwide. Nevertheless, the ATV industry wants to market "transitional" ATVs: bigger and faster ATVs for 14- and 15-year-olds who spurn "kiddie" models in favor of adult machines thay can't control. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is leaning toward adopting the industry's plan, the Wall Street Journal reported in a front page story on April 17. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has called for a ban on ATVs for anyone under 16. Other health organizations are sponsoring safety campaigns such as the one shown here. A recent study in Ohio alone found ATV accidents resulting in 30,000 ER visits and $30 million in hospital charges annually. "It's a national epidemic," said Dr. Gary Smith of the AAP. MINN. MAY OPEN Sturgeon River Forest & Taconite State Trail to motorized users The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public comment on its draft forest classification and motor vehicle route designation plan for the Sturgeon River State Forest in northwestern St. Louis county. The plan includes a proposed motor-use classification and route designations for the Sturgeon River State Forest, and for adjacent DNR forestry-administered lands located immediately outside of state forest boundaries. The DNR is also inviting comments on allowing motorized use on a portion of the Taconite Trail. In all, the plan makes recommendations for more than 180 miles of roads, trails and other inventoried routes on nearly 61,000 acres of state forestlands in the area. The proposal, which includes some existing route closures, will ultimately determine where motorized vehicles – including cars, trucks and off-highway vehicles – will be allowed to operate on state lands within the forest. The DNR proposes to retain the "managed" classification (meaning routes will be open unless posted closed) for all state forest lands located within the statutory boundaries of the Sturgeon River State Forest, and for those scattered state parcels that lie outside and immediately adjacent to the forest in northwestern St. Louis County. Within the Sturgeon River State Forest, three areas totaling slightly more than 25,000 acres are proposed to receive special protections from vehicular use. These areas, ranging from 5,800 to 9,700 acres in size, consist of a mix of state and county-administered forestlands. They were selected based upon their high biodiversity rankings, the absence of major roads and/or trails and their proximity to sensitive wildlife habitat, hydrologic features or traditional nonmotorized recreational-use areas. Taconite Trail plan Along with the forest classification process, the DNR proposes to amend the current Taconite State Trail Master Plan to allow year-round motorized vehicle use of 4.7 miles of this existing 163-mile state snowmobile trail from Ely to Grand Rapids. This would complete a nearly 24-mile motorized trail loop in the forest. This plan amendment must be approved separately from the forest classification and route designation process. The DNR is accepting comments on both proposals during this shared 60-day public comment period ending July 20. Public meeting July 10 A public meeting on the road and trail access proposal and the Taconite Trail amendment will be held from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 10, at the Ironworld Discovery Center at 801 Southwest Highway 169, Chisholm. The first hour of the public meeting will allow people to review the plan, maps and other materials. DNR, U.S. Forest Service and St. Louis County Land Department representatives will be available to answer questions regarding motorized access planning for public forestlands 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 forest classification and route designation proposals and the Taconite Trail amendment are available on the DNR Web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us or at www.findthetrails.com. Copies may also be viewed during regular business hours at the DNR 's Tower Area office, 650 Highway 169, Tower. Written comments, questions or requests for copies of the planning documents should be directed to Brian McCann, DNR Trails and Waterways, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4052; to brian.mccann@dnr.state.mn.us, or by calling 651/259-5627 or toll-free 888/MINNDNR (646-6367). Written comments on both the forest classification proposal and the plan to amend the Taconite State Trail Plan will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. Friday, July 20. Plan would create motorized trails in 8 Minn. forests The Minnesota DNR is proposing to reclassify forest and designate motor vehicle routes in the West Central Forests-South Unit. The South Unit includes Wadena and Hubbard counties' Huntersville State Forest, Wadena County's Lyons State Forest and Becker County's Smoky Hills and Two Inlets state forests. Similar proposals are also presented for scattered DNR forestry lands in Clay, Douglas, Otter Tail, Pope, Todd and Wadena counties. Planning for the west-central group started in July 2006 and five open houses were held last fall. Preliminary planning for the South Unit is complete and ready for public comment. More work is needed on the North Unit, which includes the Mississippi River Headwaters, and recommendations for it are expected later this summer. In all, the draft plan makes recommendations for about 325 miles of roads, trails and other inventoried routes on about 61,000 acres of state forestlands in the South Unit. The proposal, which includes some route closures, will ultimately determine where motorized vehicles will be allowed to operate on state lands in the county. All state forest lands in the South Unit are currently classified as "managed," which means trails are open unless posted closed. The proposal reclassifies the entire South Unit from managed to "limited," which would have left the trails closed to motor vehicle use unless posted open. Forest roads are open to both highway-licensed vehicles and OHVs under either the managed or limited forest classification. The draft plan recommends prohibiting motor vehicles in the Smoky Hills and Two Inlets state forests, which total 12,900 acres, to protect sensitive resources. The DNR will hold two public meetings on this proposal. The first will be Tuesday, July 17, at the Menahga School in Menahga. The second will be Thursday, July 19, at Detroit Lakes Middle School, in Detroit Lakes. Both meetings start at 6 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. The DNR's West Central Group-South Unit forest classification and route designation proposals are available on the DNR website at www.findthetrails.com.
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