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PROTECT THE MESABI TRAIL FROM

PROPOSED ATV/DIRT-BIKE MOTORCYCLE TRAIL TODAY!

St. Louis County Board to Make Decision this Tuesday, June 22!

Construction reportedly underway right now!

BACKGROUND

Attached please find MRR petition filed yesterday with the Environmental Quality Board requesting completion of an Environmental Assessment Worksheet on a proposed ATV/Dirt-bike Motorcycle Trail 20' from the paved edge of the Mesabi Trail. Note, the Mesabi Trail is our nation's longest continuous bikeway with 80 miles complete, from Grand Rapids to McKinley, to date. Eventually trail will go to Ely, 135 miles. 55,000 people used the trail last year. We have invested $7 million in developing the Mesabi Trail to date and have invited people across the country to come to Northern Minnesota to enjoy the peace and quiet and fresh air along this trail. This amenity will be taken from us if a proposed ATV/Dirt-bike Motorcycle Trail is developed. (Construction reportedly underway right now!)

ACTION NEEDED:

TELL DNR COMMISSIONER GENE MERRIAM AND ST. LOUIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS YOU ARE OPPOSED TO DEVELOPMENT OF AN ATV/DIRT-BIKE MOTORCYCLE TRAIL ANYWHERE NEAR THE MESABI TRAIL. NO FUNDING. NO EASEMENTS. PERIOD.(Contact info below.)

ALSO, IT IS TIME FOR ACCOUNTABILITY, HOUSECLEANING AND INSERVICING IN THE DNR. IT IS TIME FOR DNR COMMISSIONER GENE MERRIAM AND ST. LOUIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER KEITH NELSON TO ANSWER KEY QUESTIONS

QUESTIONS FOR DNR COMMISSIONER GENE MERRIAM

651-296-2549 AND ASK HIM THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

(Questions for St. Louis County Commissioner Keith Nelson below.)

- Why is the DNR encouraging and assisting development of an ATV/Dirt-bike motorcycle trail next to this gem in the crown of Minnesota? Why would the DNR do anything to risk negative impact on this $7 million dollar trail's success? - Why is the DNR violating the mission of this trail and recklessly acting to damage its value for those who see peace and quiet, fresh air, and a respite from our daily lives? This is not "economic development".

- Why has Les Olila, Region 2 Supervisor, Trails and Waterways Division, DNR suggested that an ATV/Dirt-bike motorcycle trail be developed along additional portions or the length of the Mesabi Trail?

- Work was being done on the proposed trail on Thusday, June 17 without required easements, without wetlands delineation, without engineering plans, without any plan of any kind, says Scott Kelling, DNR Trails and Waterways, Tower. Why does Mr. Kelling find this acceptable?

- Why does the DNR continue to allow ATV and dirt-bike motorcycle users to illegally use the Mesabi Trail and its right-of-way when they are expressly prohibited from doing so? Why does the DNR continue to allow these users to vandalize barrier posts on the trail? Why does the DNR continue to allow snowmobilers to illegally use and damage this $7 million trail?

- Why does the DNR continue to allow ATV and dirt-bike motorcycle users of the designated access trail from Gilbert to the Off-highway Vehicle Recreation Area scramble off the trail into wetlands and private property? Designated trails and designated scramble areas are a FAILED EXPERIMENT AT CONTAINMENT. Off-highway vehicle riders are seeking an off-trail experience. What is the DNR's plan?

- Why has the DNR been providing "in-kind services" in brushing out the proposed ATV/dirt-bike motorcycle trail? Why does the DNR continue, in the face of the 2003 legislative audit, to disburse public trail funds to fiscal agents, such as St. Louis County, who DO NOT HAVE REQUIRED LANDOWNER PERMITS on file, resulting in the recently illegally built state snowmobile trail with a City of Hermantown front-end loader at Hermantown and Ugstad Roads? WILL THE DNR DISBURSE PUBLIC TRAIL FUNDS FOR THE PROPOSED ATV/DIRT-BIKE MOTORCYCLE TRAIL WITHOUT REQUIRED PERMITS?

- Why have past-DNR Commissioner Sando's wise words of guidance (contained as material evidence in the attached petition) been so completely ignored by the DNR?

PLEASE CONTACT ST. LOUIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER KEITH NELSON AT 218-749-7108, nelsonk@co.st-louis.mn.us AND ASK HIM THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS (PLEASE NOTE THAT SOME ST. LOUIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE WORKING RIGHT NOW TO PROTECT THE MESABI TRAIL. CONTACT COMMISSIONERS AND SHARE YOUR OPPOSITION TO THE BELOW DESCRIBED RESOLUTION VIA THIS LINK: http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/Commissioners.htm):

- Why, Commissioner Nelson, are you sponsoring a resolution to provide $35,000 in Forest Recreation Funds and easement across 40 acres of county tax-forfeit land to construct the proposed ATV/dirt-bike motorcycle trail 20' from the edge of the Mesabi Trail?

- Why have you chosen to call for such a high-impact decision at the June 22 board meeting in Ely without inviting public comment?

- Why would you risk damaging the nation's $7 million investment in Mesabi Trail, our nation's longest bikeway, enjoyed by 55,000 in the past year?

- What are your ties to the All-Terrain Vehicle Association of Minnesota, Power Sports Club of Gilbert, Eveleth-Gilbert ATV/Off-Highway Motorycle Joint Powers Trail Board and other motorized recreation advocacy groups? Please explain what motivates you to put the Mesabi Trail in jeopardy?