Minnesotans for Responsible Recreation
P.O. Box 111, Duluth, MN 55801
TEL: (218) 740-3175 FAX: (218) 740-3179 EMAIL info@MnResponsibleRec.org
WEBSITE:
www.MnResponsibleRec.org
Action Alert!
April 16, 2003
Calls to legislators on Senate Environment Budget Division
needed!
Committee list and contact information below
Two Bills Need Action before Tuesday, April 22:
Yes on SF 850
: While this bill lacks basic
components we have sought over the past six years, it is our most
"progressive" OHV legislation this session and needs MRR member
support.
Positives:
- Creates a designated routes OHV only system by October 1, 2005
- Withholds grant-in-aid payments to clubs that violate laws or the terms of
their grants
- Provides a OHV hotline for reporting illegal behavior
- Requires automobile size license plates on ATVs making them more
identifiable
Negatives:
- Gives 1500 miles of "provisional trails" and
"suspends" environmental review for two years. If an ATV trail is
routed next to your home or special place no public review or action can be
taken to close it for two years after designation.
- Environmental review not required in designation of provisional or
permanent trails
- Environmental review not funded
- Adequate enforcement not required for routes to be designated
- Funds the state’s second scramble area in Virginia (first one is Gilbert
OHV "Park")
No on SF 173
: 5 Reasons To Oppose Public
Funding Of Permanent Snowmobile Trail in Hermantown
Waste of public funds at a time of public hardship
Minnesota has more important needs. For $300,000 we could:
- Reopen state park campgrounds
- Hire three Conservation Officers
- Repair extensively damaged wetland resulting from DNR’s "prototype
ATV trail" in Lake County
Abuse of Public Funds: $200,000 publicly funded permanent snowmobile trail
to the Sunset Bar.
Without securing the entire right-of-way, as conventionally required before
trail or road construction, to complete the "missing link" between
the Munger and North Shore State Snowmobile Trails, a small portion of the
trail has already been constructed by the local snowmobile club resulting in
the state’s first and only permanent snowmobile trail on private property
connecting a grant-in-aid trail to a bar.
"Grant-in-aid clubs have been left to operate largely on their
own.", Program Evaluation Report: State-Funded Trails for Motorized
Recreation, Office of the Legislative Auditor, State of Mn, 2003
Permanent connection cannot be accomplished between these two
state trails without condemnation of private property and eminent domain, says
state’s consultant (3/25/03 Duluth News-Tribune)
Cost of completed project could reach $1,000,000
$200,000 purchase of the first 32 easements has been costly. A 1/30/03
"DNR Grant" spreadsheet shows the state spent $163,000 on a consultant
in order to obtain the first thirty-two easements at a cost of a little over
$1000 per easement ($400 -$5000/easement).
~90 easements must still be purchased to connect the Munger and North
Shore State snowmobile trails, three times the existing easements
(3 X $200,000) + $200,000 = $800,000. Assuming no increase in easement
costs
Cost of trail construction not included
Property owners have been abused in the purchase of the first 32
easements
Minnesota property owners are withdrawing snowmobile trail easements because
of the noise, fumes, danger to others, and property damage caused by these
machines. This DNR pilot project to keep trail systems connected rewards the
worst behavior of snowmobilers with permanent access to public trails.
Senate Environment Budget Division
Sen. Dallas Sams, Chair 651-297-8063 sen.dallas.sams@senate.mn
Friends and Potential Friends to encourage
Sen. Scott Dibble 651-296 –4191 sen.scott.dibble@senate.mn
Sen. Ellen Andersen 651-296-5537 Be sure and call Sen. Andersen
Sen. Richard Cohen 651-296-5931 sen.richard.cohen@senate.mn
Sen. Dennis Frederickson 651-296-8138 sen.dennis.frederickson@senate.mn
Sen. Pat Pariseau 651-296-5252 sen.pat.pariseau@senate.mn
Sen. Julie Rosen 651-296-5713 sen.julie.rosen@senate.mn|
Sen. Gary Kubly 651-296-5094 sen.gary.kubly@senate.mn
Swing votes to convince
Sen. Michele Bachman 651-296-4351 sen.michele.bachman@senate.mn
Sen. Steve Murphy 651-296-4264 sen.steve.murphy@senate.mn
Sen. Steve Dille 651-296-4131 sen.steve.dille@senate.mn
Please forward……