Several issues relating to transportation and recreation were brought to the county board Tuesday, August 11, 2009, one of which could increase safe routes for walkers and bicyclists along county roads but would exclude use by all-terrain vehicles.
County Highway Engineer Shae Kosmalski reported that the county has received a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Development Council (ARDC) for assistance in creating a priority list for the creation of non-motorized paths along county roads. ARDC will contribute $10,000 of expertise to the county, with a match of $2,000 from the county.
According to an ARDC document that outlines the scope of the work, “As many of [Cook County’s] roads are major thoroughfares for residents and visitors to homes, resorts, and other recreation areas, there is a need for improvements to walking and bicycling facilities. Currently, most county roads have either gravel shoulder or no shoulders at all. Enhancing the walking and bicycling facilities will provide needed safety improvements to these county roadways.”
A committee will be formed to establish priorities. Sought for that committee will be representatives of county, city, tribal and township government, Cook County schools, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the Gunflint Trail Association, the Cook County Local Energy Project, and the Cook County Economic Development Authority.
Why are the Gitchi Gami Trail Committee and the ATV Club not on that list? Commissioner Bruce Martinson asked. Kosmalski stated that the ATV Club is not on the list because the project would be considering paved trails not open to ATVs. Public comment will be sought, however, she said.
According to the scope-of-work document, “ARDC will work with project partners to form project goals. The goals should reflect the desires of the community.” Theplanning process will include a comment period, and a public hearing may be held “if determined necessary by the committee.”
The project will identify opportunities for and barriers to nonmotorized paths and will include cost estimates to help determine priorities.
National forest OHV plan
After the Superior National Forest’s December 16, 2008 OHV Forest-wide Travel Management Project was appealed, the deciding officer, Kent P. Connaughton, wrote that he rejected it “on the narrow issue of air quality effects to the BWCAW,” according to a July 7 letter from Superior National Forest Supervisor James Sanders to interested parties.
The U.S. Forest Service subsequently completed additional analysis that is now undergoing a 30-day public comment period ending August 16. A summary of that analysis says of the four alternatives considered prior to recommending its plan, “There would be very little effect to wilderness character from effects to air quality under any of the alternatives.”
One change made by the Forest Service after the appeal was a recommendation to close a portion of the Lima Grade Road to off-highway vehicle (OHV) use. Sanders stated that other portions of the road could still be used for a loop-riding experience.
At its August 11 meeting, the county board voted to send a letter commenting on the supplement to the OHV Forest-wide Travel Management Project. That letter states the board’s belief that the question of whether ATVs negatively impact BWCAW air quality and wildlife is adequately addressed in the original plan. In addition, the letter comments on challenges regarding the effect of illegal ATV use and on the recommended Lima Grade Road changes.
The letter states. “…The decision to close a portion of the Lima Grade (Forest Road 152) to ATVs at the insistence of a handful of non-resident property owners establishes an unfortunate precedent. The Forest Service should not cater to small groups to the detriment of others.”
Lake County ATV trail additions
Michael Brazell, president of the Cook County ATV club, sent a letter to the county board expressing the club’s support of efforts by the Lake County Board of Commissioners to convert the C.J. Ramstad North Shore State Trail to ATV use.
“Several studies have been conducted in recent years that show that ATV use has grown substantially,” the letter states. Funding for North Shore State Trail conversion will come entirely from ATV registrations and fuel tax revenue.
The cost of converting the state trail to ATV use is much lower than building the Gitchi Gami State Bicycle Trail, the letter goes on to say. The amount that would be spent “is substantially less than what is being expended on the Gitchi Gami State Bicycle Trail, the 10-to-12-foot-wide impermeable, oil-based trail that has meant the installation of numerous bridges, yards of fill, clearing of trees, and major excavation work. Just one one-mile section of the bike trail, which is not funded by user fees but by federal and state tax dollars, is much higher,” the letter states.
Brazell cites a 2006 University of Minnesota study that found that more than half of survey respondents supported a median increase of $10 in ATV trail sticker costs to pay for trail improvements. “This demonstrates that ATVers can pay – and are willing to pay – for their recreation,” Brazell said.
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