Public meetings scheduled for 'Chippewa Group' of state forests - DNR, Forest Service and counties to present motorized use prop

Media contact: Jack Olson, DNR Trails & Waterways planner, (218) 833-8716.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds the public about meetings it will co-host in October with Beltrami, Cass and Itasca counties and the Chippewa National Forest. The DNR is in the midst of a 60-day public comment period on its forest classification and motorized route designation proposals for Battleground, Big Fork, Blackduck, Bowstring, Buena Vista, Remer and Welsh Lake state forests, as well as DNR Forestry-administered lands in Cass, Beltrami and Itasca counties.

At the public meetings, the DNR will present information and receive comments on its proposals. The Chippewa National Forest and counties will outline their plans for managing motorized access and recreation on roads and trails on federal and county lands within the project area. Public comments will be solicited and used by each agency as each begins its separate approval and decision processes. Written comments will be shared by all participants in the planning process.

The meetings are scheduled for the following times and locations:

- Remer, Oct. 17, Northland High School, 316 Main Street East, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

- Deer River, Oct. 19, Deer River High School, 101 1st Ave. Northeast, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

- Bemidji, Oct. 24, Hampton Inn (note this location change), 1019 Paul Bunyan Drive South, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Each meeting will allow time for public comment, one-on-one discussion and agency presentations. From 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m., the public may view maps, gather information and individually discuss agency proposals, policy and planning timelines. Starting at 6:30 p.m., the cooperating agencies and counties will make short presentations of their proposals and answer questions. Following the presentations, the public may have discussions with agency representatives and write comments for consideration by the interagency planning team.

The DNR classification proposal, road and trail designation plan, and related maps are on the DNR Web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us. (Click on the OHV riding button on the right-hand side of the home page to navigate to the OHV plans and proposals section of the Web site.)

Comments and requests for copies of the planning documents should be addressed to Jack Olson, DNR Trails & Waterways, 1601 Minnesota Drive, Brainerd, MN 56401, or by calling (218) 833-8716 or e-mailing jack.olson@dnr.state.mn.us.

The DNR will accept written comments on the proposals until 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 3.