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Mushers, hikers, and OHV users may be getting more trails and backroads to use for their outdoor pursuits under a recent proposal put forth by the Superior National Forest.
The Superior National Forest is seeking comments on its environmental assessment to manage trails and roads on the eastern half of the Superior National Forest.
The project proposes to authorize dog-sledding trails, selected OHV access to existing roads and campgrounds, decommission unused skiing and hiking trails, and address failing road infrastructure across the Tofte and Gunflint Ranger Districts.
The proposal has three components to it.
*Authorize Mushing Trail: Authorize approximately 11 miles of existing user-created trails, connecting established National Forest System roads. These trails have been unofficially used and maintained by the local dog mushing community.
*Decommission Unused Trails: Some 15.68 miles of overgrown trails on the district have been identified for decommissioning; this will better align the trail system with on-the-ground conditions and allow maintenance funds to be focused on more heavily visited trails. Closing these roads also provides for winter lynx habitat.
*Road Stream Crossing Restoration and Road Decommissioning: Due to limited road maintenance funds, the Forest Service proposes removing culverts on some minimally used dead-end roads and restoring stream crossing to a more natural hydraulic state. This would result in the conversion of 2.5 miles of National Forest System Road to Operation Maintenance Level 1 (Closed to motorized vehicles) and decommissioning of 1.20 miles of system road beyond streams due to culvert removal.
The Forest Service proposes providing additional recreation and camping opportunities to the public by opening several campgrounds and roads on the districts partially or entirely to off-highway vehicles (OHV). Proposed campgrounds are at Cascade River, Devil Track Lake, Kimball Lake, Two Island Lake, Eighteen Lake Rustic Campground, and Fourmile Lake Rustic Campground.
Other benefits of the proposal include decommissioning skiing and hiking trails and road segments that lack use and maintenance, address failing infrastructure and redundancies in the Forest Road System.
The EA and supporting documents can be reviewed on the Superior National Forest website. www. fs. usda. gov/ goto/ superior/projects (open the East Zone Roads and Trails Management Project webpage).
Comments from the public help determine if further analysis or changes are necessary before a final decision is made. The comment period lasts 30 days following the date of the legal notice published in the Cook County News-Herald. The project is subject to a pre-decisional objection process. Written comments must be received during the 30-day comment period to have standing for an objection (36CFR 218.5). Comments are most helpful if they refer to a specific project or activity, or location rather than general management direction for the Superior National Forest.
Comments can be e-mailed to comments eastern-superior-gunflint@usda.gov.
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