'Don't tread on me:' ATV trail foes again attend meeting

Renee Richardson

Residents opposed to the proposed all-terrain vehicle trail brought new signs and repeated their sentiment before the Crow Wing Count Board Tuesday.

"Don't tread on me" - the slogan used during the Revolutionary War - was reprinted on sheets of yellow paper. The signs greeted people as they arrived for the board meeting. Residents used the open forum to express their views to commissioners.

At issue is a proposed 50-mile trail from Fort Ripley to Pine Center to Brainerd. The trail has supporters among ATV riders and clubs. Townships and residents along the trail have voiced opposition. The county has tried several trail options to date and considered an ATV park at one point on tax-forfeited land before moving to a trail plan in the southern part of the county.

"I chose to live in a rural area for the peace and quiet, country lifestyle," said Angie Hins, Long Lake Township resident, who lives along a proposed section of the trail.

Hins said she wanted to be able to ride horses and raise her children in the same neighborhood where she grew up. Moving the trail off the township roads onto county roads affects the same residents.

"It's farm country, it's about land, it's about livestock, about good neighbors," Hins said. "Farm communities are a living, breathing family. ... I don't feel I should have to sacrifice my preferred way of life on property where I have lived for 33 years because someone I never met wants a place to do their hobby.

"I don't feel the rights of a recreational ATV rider are more important than the rights of a lifelong resident."

Hins said she has no doubt 80 percent to 90 percent of riders stay on the trail, but she thinks her hayfield will be an opportunity some won't be able to pass up. Hins wondered who would pay to cover crop damage. Her voice grew emotional as she talked about no longer being able to ride her horses along her own property for concern for safety in meeting ATVs that will be coming in the ditch.

Local riders aren't an issue, Hins said. She said the economic benefit of drawing riders for a burger and a beer won't compensate for what property owners will lose.

"Why are the rights of the ATV club superceding my rights as a property owner?" Hins said. "I'm not against ATVs. My dad has one. We have snowmobiles."

Hins said there are existing trails for ATV riders. She said clubs are telling the county the ATVs will bring in revenue and telling property owners there won't be many riders.

The county received a letter from the All-Terrain Vehicle Association of Minnesota in support of the planned trail. The ATVAM reported there were more than 9,200 ATVs registered in Crow Wing County. The DNR reports an additional 8,000 ATVs with owners, such as seasonal homeowners, who list Crow Wing County as their main recreational area, ATVAM said.

Jared Feierabend, St. Mathias Township, said they've been told the ATVs will boost the economy, which sounds good, but he questioned at what price to residents.

"We shouldn't have to pay the price for a few to have a hobby," Hins said. "... Are you going to listen to the voice of the people who will have to deal with this trail every day. Ask yourself this, if this trail was going within 150 feet of your front door - would you still be in favor of it?"

Other residents spoke about concern for property damage, garbage, noise, safety, enforcement.

The total state grant cost for the project is estimated to be $86,850, according to the proposal submitted to the state's trail assistance program. The county reported the intent is to have the trail paid for with ATV fees.

"The time and money being spent on this is kind of mind-boggling to me," said Mark Olson, Long Lake Township resident. " ... I'm not against ATV riders. I ride one myself, but we have land in the state. Why don't we use land we already have?"

Olson said people move out in the country for less noise, not more. He said there has to be a good reason why these trails aren't wanted in state parks and it's probably the same reason people don't want one running by their houses.

ATVAM noted there are 40 trail ambassadors in Crow Wing County who ride trails and encourage riders to follow regulations and act responsibly. The organization said riders are looking for trails with access to food, gas and lodging.

Last year, ATVAM said trail ambassadors posted 242 trail hours on the Pine Center trails and 145 hours on the Fort Ripley trails.

Board Chairman Phil Trusty thanked residents for their comments. Trusty said: "Thank you for coming in and letting us know what your feelings are."

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Source: http://www.brainerddispatch.com/stories/042810/new_20100428022.shtml

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