Chisholm ATV trail proposal out for public review
December 28, 2007

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public review and comment on the proposed construction of an 11-mile ATV trail connecting the city of Chisholm with Highway 5 and Connor’s Road just northwest of the city in west-central St. Louis County.

The trail, designed to facilitate travel into Chisholm from points north, is planned as a grant-in-aid route open only to all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).

The proposal, submitted by the Northern Traxx ATV Club (sponsored by the city of Chisholm), begins on Cemetery Road north of Chisholm and continues northwesterly between Highway 5 and Highway 84, crossing Highway 84 near its intersection with Highway 134 (Dewey Lake Road). After crossing Highway 84, the trail continues northwesterly past Dollar Lake before intersecting with Connors Road. If approved, this trail will be operated, maintained and managed by the city of Chisholm in conjunction with the Northern Traxx ATV Club.

The ATV trail segments described in the club’s proposal have already undergone rigorous DNR review. The project addresses potential user safety and environmental concerns identified during the DNR review, including the need for water crossing permits, potential wetland impacts, and safe use of public road rights-of-way. The proposal also incorporates design features intended to discourage speeding along the corridor, which incorporates sections of existing road, snowmobile trail, and user-developed riding trails.

The DNR welcomes public perspective on this project proposal. Copies of the proposal and site map are available at www.mndnr.gov.

Requests and comments may also be directed to Steve Hennessy, DNR Tower Area Trails and Waterways, 650 Highway 169 Tower, MN 55790, (218) 753-2580, ext. 253, or e-mailed to steve.hennessy@dnr.state.mn.us.