The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is accepting comments through December 26 on the Voyageur Country ATV System Phase 2 Trail Expansion (Project) Environmental Assessment Worksheet.
The Voyageur Country ATV Club (VCATV) is proposing up to 125 additional miles of roadway and natural surface trail to be included in the Voyageur Country ATV System, connecting communities in Koochiching and St. Louis counties. The proposed project includes 39 possible miles of existing route, 78 possible miles of existing route with improvements, and 8 possible miles of new trail. The existing System connects communities in northern St. Louis County on natural surface trails, shared-use natural surface or gravel roads, and paved roads. These communities include Kabetogama to the north, Ely to the east, Orr to the west, and Cook to the south, with connecting routes in between. The proposed project would connect the existing System with communities in Koochiching County, including the City of International Falls, the City of Littlefork, and the unorganized territories of East Koochiching, Rainy Lake, and Northwest St. Louis County.
Phase 1 of the VCATV Trail Improvement Project underwent environmental review in 2021. Like the current proposed project, Phase 1 also involved improving, connecting, and constructing new trail along various trail segments across a large area of northern Minnesota.
Documents
The Minnesota DNR has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for the project. Public notice of the availability of these documents for public comment is in the November 26, 2024 EQB Monitor. A 30-day public review and comment period will be open from November 26, 2024 until 4:30 p.m., December 26, 2024.
- Voyageurs Country ATV System Phase 2 Trail Expansion EAW
- Figure 1: Project Overview Map
- Figures 2-1 through 2-12: Project Area Map
- Figures 3-1 through 3-12: USGS 24k Topographic Map
- Figures 4-1 through 4-12: Hydrology Map
- Figures 5-1 through 5-12: Soils Map (SSURGO)
- Figures 6-1 through 6-12: Land Cover Map (NLCD, 2019)
- Figures 7-1 through 7-12: MN DNR NPCs and Sites of Biodiversity Significance
- Figure 8: Voyageur Country ATV System Overview Map
- Attachment A-1: Project Location Information
- Attachment A-2: Public Land Survey ¼, ¼, Section, Township, Range
- Attachment A-3: Tax Parcels
- Attachment B-1: Trail Design Typical Sections
- Attachment B-2: ATV Boardwalk Detail
- Attachment C: Soil Characteristics
- Attachment D: NHIS letter
- Attachment E: State Historic Preservation Office Correspondence
A hard copy may be requested by calling 651-259-5694.
A paper copy of the EAW is available for public review at:
- DNR Library, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155
- DNR Region 2 Headquarters, 1201 East Highway 2, Grand Rapids, MN 55744
- Hennepin County – Minneapolis Central Library, Government Documents, Second Floor, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1992
- Duluth Public Library, 520 West Superior Street, Duluth, MN 55802
- International Falls Public Library, 750 4th Street, International Falls, MN 56649
Deadline for comments
Comments must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. Thursday, December 26.
Comments can be submitted as follows:
Electronically:
Electronic or email comments may be sent to [email protected] opens in a new browser tab with "Voyageur ATV Phase 2 Project” in the subject line.
By mail:
Kathy Metzker, Project Manager
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
500 Lafayette Road, Box 25
St. Paul, MN 55155-4025