DNR Wants Comment on Area ATV

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is asking for comments for funding of a 53-mile Grant-in-Aid all-terrain vehicle recreational trail within existing county and state road rights-of-way.

The DNR will accept written comments until 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 5.

ATV use of the entire corridor is already allowed by law. Bringing the trail into the GIA system would allow GIA funds to be used for maintenance, repair, safety improvements, monitoring and enforcement.

Crow Wing County would sponsor, operate, maintain and manage the trail in conjunction with three supporting ATV clubs: the Central Minnesota Wheelers ATV Association, the Pine Center Sportsman’s OHV Club, and the Central Lakes Riders OHV Club. The trail would link the Fort Ripley and Ripley Connection ATV trails with the Pine Center ATV Trail.

The majority of the trail would be routed in ditches along state and county roads, either in the ditch bottom or on a bench constructed into the side slope. The trail will use the road in-slope or shoulder as allowed by state law wherever necessary to avoid obstacles.