To: "Sally Nankivell"
Subject: ATVs on County Roads
Date: Tue, 6 Feb 2007 20:05:43 -0600
Hello everyone,
As you probably know, the Cook County Commissioners are debating whether to open Cook County roads to ATV traffic. There is a very strong push by the Cook County ATV club, and it is possible that a decision by the County Commissioners will be made this Tuesday.
The ATV club has been advocating for quite some time to have trails designated in Cook County over federal, state, and county land, and that planning process is still underway. The Forest Service has outlined proposed trails over federal land. The DNR has outlined trails but has postponed announcing its final proposal, due to the change in commissioners. Regarding county land, there will be some county road sections that will be designated as connectors for these trails.
The ATV club is about to get its wish for a series of interconnected trails throughout Cook County, and yet it is pushing hard for all county roads to be open to ATV traffic.
I realize some of you may support ATVs on County roads as a way to give people a place to ride and to keep them out of environmentally sensitive areas. Others argue that opening County roads to ATV traffic is a slippery slope, and will simply invite more riders and more harm to the environment, as well as result in safety issues. Whatever your beliefs, I hope you'll at least agree that this push to open all County roads is premature.
If you are concerned about ATV planning in Cook County, please consider attending this Thursday's Upper Deck Forum to learn more about the Forest Service's plan. The presentation will be from Noon to 1:00 p.m. upstairs in the Blue Water Cafe in Grand Marais. Speakers will include: Dennis Neitzke, District Ranger for the Gunflint District, John Wytanis, District Ranger for the Tofte District, and John Olson, zone engineer.
Also, please attend Tuesday's County Commissioner meeting and/or write/call/visit your commissioners to let them know your concerns. Here is a link to contact information for your representatives:
http://www.co.cook.mn.us/commissioners/electoff.html
Thanks,
Sally
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