Township officials look at ATV issues

Renee Richardson

The topic of a proposed an all-terrain vehicle trail led to a lively interaction between county officials and township officers Monday.

The agenda for the annual meeting of the Crow Wing County Association of Township Officers had a mixed list of topics, but the one involving all-terrain vehicles and a proposed trail in the southern part of the county may have been the most anticipated.

About 70 people packed the Long Lake Town Hall.

Crow Wing County is proceeding with plans for a grant-in-aid trail with the DNR. Township supervisors noted concerns for speed, trash, noise, enforcement, property damage and a loss of peace and quiet as ATVs - from a few to a couple hundred depending on the count - go right past township homes. One of the early questions put to county officials was why the county was moving forward with a trail when several township officials report the majority of residents are opposed to it.

Rebecca Guida, Wolford Township clerk, asked what would it take for the county to drop the idea so people know what they are up against.

Crow Wing County Chairman Phil Trusty told the gathering while he's heard from those against the trail, they weren't seeing the other e-mails he gets from those who support it. Trusty said he will get a petition one day and then hear from individuals who tell him to take their name off the list the next.

The county reported the application for the trail came from several area ATV clubs and the county board approved the proposal with the clubs looking for this proposed route. Bryan Pike, Crow Wing County land services, said areas critical for the project going forward include the club sponsorship and the support of the county board.

When Tony Cossette, Daggett Brook Township clerk, asked if the county board can pull the plug, Trusty said yes and Commissioner Paul Thiede said no.

Thiede said ATVs are not going to go away. Trusty said the county board can still say no but he can't go back to the board and say everyone at Monday's meeting was against because he hears from those who support the trail depending on where it goes.

Cossette noted an ATV riding area by Babbitt that is great. But he said the proposed trail here puts the ATV traffic in people's front yards and there are concerns about how it will affect their ability to enjoy their own peace and quiet in their homes.

"How do we compensate that?" Cossette asked.

Becky Eckelman, St. Mathias Township, said it's not the local riders that cause the concern but the hundreds of others that will come from outside the area who don't respect the quiet life people have chosen to lead in the rural areas.

"Is this a done deal?" asked Cheryal Hills, Region 5 executive director.

Kirk Titus, land services supervisor, replied "no" saying the county continues to be in the planning stages before the project goes out for public comment. One question came up as to whether the trail could be limited to daylight hours.

County officials were asked who will be responsible for litter along the trail, noting on a busy weekend a trailer full of trash can be collected off part of an existing trail. Bryan Pike, Crow Wing County land services, said it would be similar to litter on the highway. One woman said unlike the highway, the ATV trail is along people's yards.

Pike said gravel roads can be treated to reduce the issues associated with dust. As for concerns for noise, Pike said that may be handled with lower speeds, perhaps 10 to 15 mph. But that had township officials wondering again about enforcement, particularly for rural areas on the edge of the county.

Trusty said having a designated route provides a specific area to patrol.

Ed Woitalla, Platte Lake Township, was concerned with safety, noting if the snowmobile trails are an example the clubs have a hard time over time as gates supposed to be closed are left open and fences not maintained. He had concerns about lose animals and liability. After the meeting, Woitalla pointed to the current dry dusty conditions and ATVs traveling along area gravel roads, noting it's hard enough to see another car let alone an ATV.

"I don't want to live with hitting an ATV," Woitalla said.

Questions for county officials included who would pay for damages from ATVs whether environmental or at crossings and approaches. Mark Haglin, Oak Lawn Township supervisor, clarified if there is a designated trail, funds will be available to fix damaged areas.

Titus said the county is in the process of finalizing the details of a realignment of the proposed 50-mile ATV trail. The county is moving the plan for the trail off township roads to county and state roads. Titus said they are developing a revised map that will be distributed to the townships. With the route change, Titus said the project costs will be re-evaluated and will return to the DNR for a team review. Money for the project is planned from ATV license fees and tax-forfeited funds.

Commissioner Rosemary Franzen also attended. Commissioner Doug Houge was not present. Commissioner Rachel Reabe Nystrom wasn't invited because her area doesn't include townships.

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Source: http://www.brainerddispatch.com/stories/042010/new_20100420001.shtml

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