(formerly the 70-Mile Trail Project)

ATV Trail - Progress Report, 8/11/09

(If the picture and video are not visible, please click here to view the video at YouTube.)

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This project includes the development of an extensive, first-rate ATV/OHV trail in Aitkin and Itasca Counties, Minnesota. The trail is designed to be environmentally sensitive, economically beneficial, and community supported.

Trail clearing has begun and riders are reminded to stay away from construction areas and that it is unlawful to ride on routes where construction has not been completed.

The Aitkin-Itasca 70-Mile ATV/OHV Trail Project will:

• Focus the increasing ATV user base on an existing extensive (420+ miles) and meaningful (popular destinations) trail system within 2 hours of the Twin Cities. This should reduce potential negative impacts on natural resources, often caused by unregulated cross-country travel, by providing a well advertised "place to go" and by linking trail segments in environmentally sensitive ways
• Connect major recreation destinations (from the Mille Lacs area, through McGregor and the Big Sandy Lake areas, and on to the Grand Rapids area) via an ATV trail to promote tourism and its associated economic impacts.
• Revitalize local communities along and near the trail system. These communities benefit economically from seasonal snowmobile use; expanding a similar clientele (ATV users) to a larger segment of the year could have significant benefits to these small communities.

The project is directed by the 70-Mile Trail Oversight Committee with 19 members representing diverse interests and experiences from throughout the project area. Dovetail Partners and Applied Ecological Services are contracted to assist the Committee with project coordination. Committee Meetings are open to the public. Any questions or comments about the project can be directed to Katie Fernholz at Dovetail Partners, email or phone: 612-333-0430.

Committee Meetings

Project Resources and Information

GIS Plan (pdf)

Information about the data sources to be used and evaluation process.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Sheet (pdf)

Project background, planning process, and other information.

Red Top ATV Loop Trail Survey Final Report (pdf)

In January 2008, the Oversight Committee for the 70-Mile Trail Project in Aitkin and Itasca Counties, Minnesota conducted a survey with the objective of gaining information related to the perceived noise impacts of ATV trails.

Proposed Phase 2 ATV Trail Segment Survey – Itasca County
Survey Results Report - 70-Mile Trail Project (pdf)
August 2009
The Oversight Committee for the 70-Mile Trail Project in Aitkin and Itasca Counties, Minnesota conducted a survey with the objective of gaining information about the perceived impacts of alternative Phase II trail routes in Itasca County.

FINAL “70 Mile Trail” All-Terrain Vehicle/Off Highway Motorcycle Monitoring, Maintenance, and Enforcement Plan (pdf)

This ATV/OHM trail monitoring, maintenance, and enforcement plan has been developed to guide monitoring general trail conditions, determining relative amounts of use and use patterns, determining impacts to the environment, establishing trail maintenance procedures, and monitoring adherence to state laws and county ordinances regarding ATV and OHM use.

Summary of Public Comments and Committee Responses (pdf)

Approved by the Committee 1/29/08

Aitkin-Itasca 70-Mile OHV Trail EAW (pdf), EQB Publication date August 11, 2008 (deadline for public comments September 10, 2008)

Record of Decision (pdf)

(Aitkin County Board of Commissioners, October 28, 2008) Click here for more information

Aitkin Age 8/27/08 Article about Managing ATV Use (pdf)

Aitkin Age 9/23/09 Article about Managing ATV Use (pdf)

General Project Map
jpg (3.4 MB)
pdf (405 kb)

Phase I Trail Maps
Phase I Overall Map (pdf, 260 kb)

Phase 1 Segment Maps:

Solana Forest Loop (pdf)

Lawler Loops, North and South (pdf) UPDATED MAP AVAILABLE, CLICK HERE (pdf)

Moose River Connection (pdf)

Itasca Phase I Trail (pdf) UPDATED MAP AVAILABLE, CLICK HERE (jpg)

Project Poster (pdf)
General Information about the project and contact information.

Project Comment Form (doc)

Form for submiting comments on the project. Comments can also be submitted via email to: info@dovetailinc.org.

Quarterly Progress Reports

January 2008 (pdf)

Information about the project, work to date and next steps.

April 2008 (pdf)

Information about the project, work to date and next steps.

July 2008 (pdf)

Information about the project, work to date and next steps.

December 2008 (pdf)

Information about the project, work to date and next steps.

June 2009 (pdf)

Information about the project, work to date and next steps.

November 2009 (pdf)

Information about the project, work to date and next steps.

Lawler Loops ATV Trail - Progress Report, 8/11/09

(If the picture and video are not visible, please click here to view the video at YouTube.)

General Information and News

Links and Resources (click here)

Information about trail design, recreational managment, and regulations.

• 06/23/2009: Geoblock Reduces Trail Construction Impacts (click here for more information)

• 70-Mile Project Looking for Trail Names - Final Selections to be made SOON!: Click here to submit your ideas

• Yamaha Awards Grant of $10,000 to Aitkin County Land Department 02/03/2009 - (Aitkin, MN) – The Aitkin County Land Department (ACLD) is pleased to announce it has received a Yamaha OHV Access Initiative grant of $10,000 to support the 70-Mile ATV/OHM Trail Project. Read more....
  

• Polaris Foundation Provides Grant to Support 70-Mile Trail Project - Funding to Support Trail Maps and Signage. The Polaris Foundation has awarded a $5,000 grant to support the development of the 70-Mile ATV/OHM trail project. The funding will be used to support the development of trail maps and signs to support quality user experiences.

• Kick-Off Meetings Held for 70-Mile Trail Project: Aitkin, MN (12/4/07) – More than 150 people attended two kick-off meetings for the 70-Mile Trail project. The project includes approximately 70 miles of new ATV/OHM recreational trail segments to be located in Aitkin and Itasca Counties. The project was proposed by the Land Departments in Aitkin and Itasca Counties and is supported with state funding through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Read more..

• Recreational Trail Planned for Aitkin and Itasca Counties: Aitkin, MN – (11/1/07) Approximately 70 miles of new recreational trail segments are being planned in North-Central Minnesota. The plan is for the new segments to link existing trails and create a system that totals nearly 500 miles. Read more...