For Immediate Release

For Immediate Release

June 26, 2002

Contact: Jamie Juenemann, Co-director, Minnesotans for Responsible Recreation,

218-390-2963; 218-740-3175

- Groups question Motorized Trail Task Force Process -

Duluth- Friends of the Boundary Waters, Sierra Club North Star Chapter, Superior Wilderness Action Network, Friends of the Snake River and MRR have submitted a letter to DNR Commissioner Allen Garber expressing concern over the process used to establish and govern the legislatively mandated Motorized Trail Task Force. Items of concern are as follows:

The task force should include all stakeholders and openly reflect DNR studies and recent public opinion polls in fully representing a proportionate cross-section of all Minnesotans

Each stakeholder group should have an "alternate" representative to insure full representation at all meetings

The task force meeting agendas, goals and timelines should be developed by the group and include all areas of concern expressed by stakeholders within the current legislative mandate

The role of both Chair and DNR facilitator

Task force decisions should be made on a consensus basis

Jamie Juenemann, Co-director of Minnesotans for Responsible Recreation says, "We have made a formal request to the DNR asking that all task force applications be released so the public has an opportunity to review affiliations and interests, as well as see which groups were left out.". This same request also asked for the criteria used to select the individuals appointed. "From what we know so far, there is a gross overrepresentation of motorized interests on this task force when compared to the number of registered users in the state- about 4% of the general population." says Ray Fenner, Executive Director of Superior Wilderness Action Network. "If there is to be a legitimate outcome, this needs to be challenged." he adds.

Sarah Strommen, Policy Director for Friends of the Boundary Waters says, "It is unrealistic to expect that each member of the task force is going to make all of the meetings, particularly during the summer months. Alternates, when available, are a reasonable request."

Upon review of the agenda, Dr. Thomas Waters, President of Friends of the Snake River noted that, "The first agenda item is ‘the overall quantity and distribution and time frame for development of motorized trails’. That should be the outcome of the task force in January 2003, not the first agenda item."

The first task force meeting is June 27^th, 2002 in Grand Rapids.