MN DNR Off-highway Vehicle(OHV) Regional Acquisition

MN DNR Off-highway Vehicle(OHV)
Regional Acquisition & Development (A&D)
Parks and Trails
Off-highway Vehicle
Program
2011
MN DNR Regional A&D
DNR Mission
 Work with citizens to conserve/manage
state’s natural resources
 Provide outdoor recreation opportunities
 Provide for commercial uses of natural
resources to create sustainable quality of
life
MN DNR Regional A&D
OHV OUTDOOR
RECREATIONAL
OPPORTUNITIES
The DNR is committed to managed
use on managed trails for OHV
recreational opportunities within
the context of the agency's
broader outdoor recreation
mission.
MN DNR Regional A&D
GOAL: Managed trail
system or riding area
1. Avoids and/or minimizes
negative impacts on the
environment
2. Provides safe recreational
riding
MN DNR Regional A&D
Sustainable trails.
MN DNR Regional A&D
OHV Public Recreation Sites in Minnesota in 2011
MN DNR Regional A&D
DNR Regional OHV A&Ds
• First staff joined in January 2009 by DNR Parks
and Trails Division
• One in each DNR Region
•Half time dedicated to OHV acquisition and
development projects
•OHV project types:
• Grant-in-aid partnerships on non-state land
• Grant-in-aid partnerships including state land
• State owned/operated facilities:
• Unit trails in State Forests
• State Recreation Area
• Key role in facilitating Grant-in-aid projects
Grant-in-Aid (GIA) model
OHV Clubs [Local trail
user organizations]
Sponsor [Local
Government Unit]
State [Department of
Natural Resources]
MN DNR Regional A&D
Grant-in-Aid (GIA) model
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•
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•
•
Based on snowmobile model
Idea is to empower local initiative and
relationships
Reimbursement for approved maintenance
activities @ 90%
Reimbursement of acquisition &
development activities @ 65%
Land acquired for GIA trail held by local
government sponsor – typically (but not
always) in simple trail crossing permits
with landowners, both public and private
(road R-O-W limited use permit)
DNR A&Ds – Key roles in GIA
• Help clubs who have ideas/interest/enthusiasm
but who have their own full time jobs and may
have little practical experience navigating through
government
• Help local government that may be interested in
hosting OHV recreation but little experience with it
• Help DNR P&T Area Supervisors who have some
management responsibilities for GIA trails but
many other outdoor rec duties
• Advocate for OHV recreation within diverse
department
DNR Review of GIA projects
7 steps for a
managed
trail system
or riding
area
• 0. Preliminary project discussions
Depends • Early coordination w/Parks & Trails
on club
• 1. DNR P&T review of draft project proposal
2.5 to 8.5 • 2. DNR Area Interdisciplinary Team Review
months • 3. DNR Regional Review
2 to 12
months
Annual
• 4. Public Input opportunity
• 4a. Public Notification (2 months) or
• 4b. Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW)
preparation (2 to 8 months) or
• 4c. Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
preparation (12 to 18 months)
• 5. Grant Funding Application, Funding Allocation.
Annual
• 6. Project Permitting and Construction. As needed
during development and annual maintenance or
enhancement projects
Annual
• 7. Maintenance, Inspection and Enforcement
Guidelines. As needed during development and
annual maintenance or enhancement projects
MN DNR Regional A&D
DNR Review of GIA projects
Step 0
Depends on
club
• Preliminary project discussions
• Draft initial concept
• Review potential sites/trail
corridors
• Discuss concept w/ key project
partners, potential LGU sponsors,
selected landowners, other
interest groups (“community
building”)
• Prepare draft project proposal
MN DNR Regional A&D
DNR Review of GIA projects
Steps 1 - 3
2.5 to 8.5
months
• 1. DNR P&T review of draft
project proposal
• 2. DNR Area
Interdisciplinary Team
Review
• 3. DNR Regional Review
MN DNR Regional A&D
Example –
Steps1-3
Technical assistance in preparation of
documents for DNR interdisciplinary
review.
Here a basic site level analysis
shows where existing private trail
proposed for GIA status runs up a
steep slope (solid purple) .
An alternative route is demonstrated
that stays within recommended
guidelines for trail climbs (dashed
purple).
MN DNR Regional A&D
DNR Review of GIA projects
Public Input opportunity or Environmental Assessment
Worksheet
•Step 4.
2 to 12
months
•4a. Public Notification (2
months) or
•4b. Environmental
Assessment Worksheet (EAW)
preparation (2 to 8 months)
or
•4c. Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) preparation
(12 to 18 months)
MN DNR Regional A&D
DNR Review of GIA projects
Grant funding
•Step 5.
Annual
•Application sent in by club
and sponsor
•Work starts after grant
agreement is signed off by
sponsor and DNR.
MN DNR Regional A&D
DNR Review of GIA projects
Project Permitting and Construction
Annual
•Step 6.
•Ensure all work performed
has appropriate permits
before starting. Plan ahead
MN DNR Regional A&D
DNR Review of GIA projects
Maintenance, inspection and enforcement
Annual
•Step 7
•Keeping it on the ground and
open for safe, sustainable use
MN DNR Regional A&D
Examples of Regional OHV GIA
Projects
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Paul Purman, Central Region –
Houston OHV Trail System
Greg Snyder, Northwest RegionOver the Hills Gang Emily-Outing ATV GIA
Trail
MN DNR Regional A&D
DNR Central Region
Background
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23 Counties, hundreds of
cities, townships, and
other LGUs
Over 70% of Minnesota’s
population
Few public OHV recreation
opportunities:
◦ ATV miles ~ 70
◦ OHM miles ~ 21
◦ ORV miles ~ 0
MN DNR Regional A&D
Southeast MN Blufflands

Scenic area:
◦ winding valleys
◦ topography (up to 500’)
◦ vistas
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Population centers of Rochester, river
towns
State land base includes Dorer State Forest,
WMAs, State Parks and State Trails
OHV use historically controversial, currently
very opportunities
MN DNR Regional A&D
MN DNR Regional A&D
Houston OHV Trail System
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Effort begun by ORV community in
Rochester
Early outreach to other OHV groups
After search, roughly 700 acre site
identified on bluffs south of city of
Houston (pop. 1000)
ORV club contact with six landowners in
area
Contacted city – exploratory public meeting
(Oct ’09)
MN DNR Regional A&D
Houston OHV Trail System
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City and county leadership cautiously
interested, identify DNR oversight role
as key
Support of statewide ORV, OHM, ATV
groups for effort critical in supporting
local clubs, DNR staff, and city
leadership
OHV groups have informally engaged
Houston citizens through one-on-one
contacts and city fair
DNR, NOHVCC, & city collaborated on
three day OHV rec management
workshop in Houston, June 2011
MN DNR Regional A&D
Houston OHV Trail System
Land acquisition
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Joint club/DNR interviews with landowners
to discuss project
Landowners have diverse objectives
Key parcel is 80 acre city park
Adjacent 70 acre parcel likely to be sold
soon, limited window of opportunity
DNR works with city and ORV/OHM clubs to
put together grant package for first phase
- acquisition only
MN DNR Regional A&D
Houston OHV Trail System
Preliminary site review
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Aug – Oct 2010: P&T A&D staff coordinate
early interdisciplinary DNR review of project
area
Goals:
◦ No surprises for other DNR divisions
◦ Collect key early natural resource data about site
◦ Demonstrate environmental stewardship role as
part of OHV Rec advocacy, reassure city and
citizens trail system can be sustainable

Results in detailed six page letter to city
and clubs outlining opportunities/concerns
MN DNR Regional A&D
Houston OHV Trail System
Land acquisition

Funding package:
◦ 50% joint ORV/OHM GIA $
◦ 50% City of Houston OHV Federal Recreational
Trail Program
◦ Clubs add some additional $
◦ City held harmless financially

Land ownership
◦ 70 acre parcel acquired by city in fee title
◦ Reverter clause in deed if not used for motorized
recreation
◦ State holds 20 year motorized rec easement
◦ Deal closed September 2, 2011
MN DNR Regional A&D
MN DNR Regional A&D
MN DNR Regional A&D
Houston OHV Trail System
What comes next
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Continue to work with clubs, city, and
landowners on parcel acquisition
Help strengthen coalition of ORV, OHM,
and ATV user groups
Assist clubs and city in holding public open
house to update local citizens on draft
concepts and status, collect ideas and
concerns
Assist city with hearing on status of 80 acre
South Park – LAWCON Significant Change of
Use must be approved to allow motorized
rec
MN DNR Regional A&D
DNR Northwest Region
Background
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24 Counties, hundreds of
cities, townships, and other
LGUs
Rural population with
several key cities
Important recreation
destination for Minnesotans
MN DNR Regional A&D
Over the Hills Gang ATV Club
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Emily-Outing ATV Trail
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80 mile trail system in Cass Co. MN
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Club is pursuing Grant-in-Aid funding for the
trail
MN DNR Regional A&D
Prerequisites for GIA OHV Trail
project review:

1. Proposed route in shapefile format.

2. Written trail project summary.
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3. Resolution of support from Local
Government Unit.
4. Completed new trail project worksheet,
signed by trail sponsor.
MN DNR Regional A&D
MN DNR Regional A&D
9/22/11 Status: Three for Four
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1. Club received assistance from Cass Co. in
creating trail shapefile.
2. Club wrote up draft project summary for
use in promoting project.
3. Cass County passed a resolution of
support for the project and agreed to be the
LGU sponsor.
MN DNR Regional A&D
Next Steps:

Spring 2012: expected completion of trail
engineering specifications on trail located in
CSAH R.O.W. needed to complete new project
worksheet.
DNR Area Review
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DNR Region Review
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Project to St. Paul for Environmental
Review/Public Notification/Grant Award
MN DNR Regional A&D
OTHG Trail shot 1
MN DNR Regional A&D
OTHG Trail Shot 2
MN DNR Regional A&D
OTHG Trail Shot 3
MN DNR Regional A&D
OTHG Trail Shot 4
MN DNR Regional A&D
OTHG Trail Shot 5
MN DNR Regional A&D
OTHG Trail Shot 6
MN DNR Regional A&D