Senator Mary Olson is considering sponsoring a bill to protect the Mississippi Headwaters State Forest south of US Highway 2 from ATV trails.
A bill eliminating mudder truck trails from state forest lands is being sponsored by Senators Mary Olson and Rod Skoe (SF 1094) and Representatives Larry Howes and Frank Moe (HF 1127). These bills would protect the Mississippi River corridor.
Contact the below legislators now and Include the following comments in your communication:
1. We must set a precedent of good stewardship for this internationally recognized river, not only of great significance to our region but an important symbol of Minnesota.
2. Closing the Mississippi Headwaters State Forest to ATV use will provide the necessary buffer for a quiet experience through the headwaters of this special river. People living in the ever increasing urban areas are in need of wild places. Existing wild areas like the BWCA are so crowded that in some locales in the BWCA, people have to wait in line at portages. MHSF would provide an outlet for people seeking these types of experiences and be a plus to the local economy.
3. The river is considered sacred to Native Americans and neglecting to protect the river would be most disrespectful.
4. The importance of keeping these waters unpolluted and preventing further soil erosion dictates the need to keep ATV machines out of the river, off of the river banks and out of the Forest. What happens here will impact Lake Bemidji and other points down river.
5. The Mississippi Headwaters State Forest is a narrow corridor. It contains the most pristine stretch of the Mississippi River in Minnesota. It is in the interest of all Americans to protect this last remaining stretch of "wild and infant" Mississippi for future citizens. It is an area of high diversity with many plant and animal species threatened, endangered, or of special concern.
6. It will difficult for DNR enforcement to strictly monitor any portion of this area because this part of the Mississippi is so remote. Classifying the MHSF "closed" would greatly aid in protecting the river itself.
7. Mississippi Headwaters State Forest in directly connected to Itasca State Park - arguably the crown jewel of the state park system. It is in the interest of Itasca Park, Bemidji, Park Rapids, our heritage, and the health of our environment and communities to keep MHSF "closed" to OHV's.
8. 60% of MHSF is within 1000 feet of a river or stream.
Sen. Mary Olson
E-mail Address(es):
sen.mary.olson@senate.mn
Sen. Rod Skoe
E-mail Address(es):
sen.rod.skoe@senate.mn
Rep. Kent Eken
E-mail Address(es):
rep.kent.eken@house.mn
Rep. Brita Sailer
E-mail Address(es):
rep.brita.sailer@house.mn
Rep. Larry Howes
E-mail Address(es):
rep.larry.howes@house.mn
Rep. Frank Moe
E-mail Address(es):
rep.frank.moe@house.mn
Thank you Barry Babcock and the Jack Pine Coalition for this Action Alert!
