I got this email today, and again the anti access people have a much larger voice than the atv riders do. If you would like to help, please email the people , addresses are below. Please be polite, we need them to like atv riders.

From ATVAM ,

We have been informed that the Becker County Commissioners
will be voting on August 22, 2006, whether or not to
approve the proposed 70 mile ATV trail. If you have sent
in supporting comments in the past regarding this trail
system THANK YOU! Since this process is taking longer
than expected, the local ATV community is again asking for
ATVAM membership to send comments in support of the trail;
remind them of the economic value of having an ATV trail
system. The commissioners are still receiving a lot of
negative comments. Details of the proposed trail and
county commissioner contact information are listed below.



NEWS ARTICLE:

Becker tables ATV trail plan

By Nathan Bowe, Forum Communications Co.
Published Friday, July 28, 2006
http://www.parkrapidsenterprise.com/...6&section=News

The contentious issue of a 70-mile designated ATV trail in
Becker County was tabled for 30 days Tuesday, after the
Becker County Board heard from a roomful of residents who
oppose the plan.

Two weeks ago, the board voted 4-1, with commissioner Larry
Knutson dissenting, to approve an agreement with the
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources that would have
allowed the county to be reimbursed in stages as the
project proceeded.

But the board later that day rescinded its approval because
the item had been added late to the county board agenda and
had not been publicized prior to the meeting.

Township officials are largely opposed to the pilot
project, which is to be built on county tax-forfeited land
and funded with $300,000 in state money.

Tuesday the Becker County Board voted to table the issue
until Aug. 22.

An attempt by Knutson to table it for 90 days failed,
largely because Commissioner Barry Nelson believed a delay
that long would “kill” the project.

Nelson - who supports the concept of a designated ATV
trail, but only if there is support for it - said he wants
a chance to assess the true level of tribal and township
support on the matter.



http://www.co.becker.mn.us/electedofficials.asp

Becker County Commissioners:
Larry Knutson
District 1
laknuts@co.becker.mn.us

Harry Salminen
District 2
hlsalmi@co.becker.mn.us

Karen Mulari
District 3
klmular@co.becker.mn.us

Bob Bristlin
District 4
rdbrist@co.becker.mn.us

Barry Nelson
District 5
bknelso@co.becker.mn.us



DETAILS ABOUT THE 70 MILE LOOP:

-----

Becker County to host 70-mile ATV trail (2005-08-23)

Becker County has been selected to host a new 70-mile
all-terrain vehicle/off-highway motorcycle (ATV/OHM) trail.


Becker was one of several counties that submitted proposals
in response to a Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
request for help in siting a new ATV/OHM trail pursuant to
a 2003 Legislative directive. The new trail will be
planned, designed and constructed on a mix of state and
county-administered forest lands located in north and south
Round Lake Townships in north-central Becker County. The
trail should be completed and ready to ride by summer 2007.

The Becker County ATV/OHM trail system will provide a mix
of easy, intermediate and more difficult trails for riders
of various skill levels. Four rest areas with parking,
vehicle off-loading ramps, rest rooms and picnic facilities
are planned for various locations along the trail. This
trail system will be located approximately 20 miles from
Park Rapids, 25 miles from Detroit Lakes and about 250
miles from the Twin Cities metro area. A myriad of public
and private campgrounds and resorts are located within a
half-hour drive.

Counties play an important role in providing for
off-highway vehicle recreation according to Ron Potter, the
DNR's Off-Highway Vehicle Program supervisor.

He believes this ATV/OHM trail project provides "an
excellent opportunity for DNR and county land managers to
work together to provide a much needed recreational riding
opportunity for Minnesota's fast-growing population of ATV
and motorcycle trail riders."

Communities located along the trail are also expected to
benefit from increased tourism and added local economic
activity. For more information or for a copy of the Becker
County trail proposal, contact Tim Browning at (218)
755-3969 or by e-mail at tim.browning@dnr.state.mn.us.

 

I live in the Fargo area and had not heard about this. Does anyone know if the trail is being built? That would be great to have somewhere that close to ride for my wife and I.

Thanks.