In late December 2021, Bluestem posted Strib: Review finds stewardship gaps in motorized trail project in Houston, Minnesota.
Now Tony Kennedy had followed up on the local scrutiny of the project in City of Houston votes to dump motorized trail project approved by DNR for offroading:
Having won a clear majority of seats on the Houston, Minn., City Council in last fall's elections, opponents of a proposed motorized trails project on city-owned land have voted to dump the idea after more than 14 years in the making.
A resolution passed late last month by council members outlined an exit strategy rejecting any form of motorized use in favor of public recreation trails with low environmental impact.
But based on early feedback from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and from a major offroad vehicle club, breaking up could be hard to do.
"We don't go where we are not welcomed,'' said Dan Larson, a spokesman for the Minnesota 4-Wheel Drive Association. "The problem is, we were welcomed all those years ago.''
He said all options are on the table, including possible litigation to fight the city's withdrawal from a project infused with $465,000 in grant dollars from the DNR and Federal Highway Administration's Recreational Trails Program. Larson said his group is not alone in questioning how a host city can abandon its commitment to a trail project in the 11th hour, "leaving all investments unfulfilled."
DNR Parks and Trails Director Ann Pierce said her agency is responsible for the money and discussions are needed for the city to find a path forward. Pierce said state money for Houston Trail came from a grant-in-aid program dedicated for off-highway vehicle projects. If the proposed moto-trails are dead, "there's still the need to fund the account," she said.
The City Council already rejected a decision tree presented by the DNR because it sets forth "significant costs" at every turn. The city's resolution about exiting the project says the town should be absolved of any repayment obligations because the project gained footing on critical mistakes made by the DNR. . . .
Read the rest at the Star Tribune. For a look at local coverage in the Fillmore County Journal, Wanda Hanson reported in Houston Council passes OHV exit resolution:
In a special meeting on February 17, the Houston City Council passed a resolution to exit the OHV trail agreement that had been made with the DNR. The meeting had only one agenda item, the OHV exit resolution.
Prior to the council discussing and voting on the resolution, the meeting was opened for public comment. Dan Larson, representing the Minnesota 4 Wheel Drive Association, declared he was proud of the good work that had been done over the past 17 years on the trail, but he went on to say he didn’t like the exit plan.
Larson assured the council that his organization would unite with the Minnesota ATV Association and the Minnesota Motorcycle Association to fight the plan. Larson claimed the current situation is normal, pointing to Gilbert Minnesota’s trail experience. According to him, the people of Gilbert also pushed back against the trail, worried that riders would be racing through town and tearing it up. He said nothing like that happened and offered that the visitors that spend the most money in a town are the OHV riders. Larson said he made a point to buy supplies where he recreates.
Larson claimed his club had invested ¼ million in the project and threatened, “We urge caution – you have a lot at stake.” Larson stated that snowmobile groups, national groups, and legislators would all fight such a resolution.
Upon questioning, Larson admitted he was a consultant on government affairs and a lobbyist. (He declared, “But I’m one of the good ones!”)
Steve Westby explained that he felt the DNR didn’t follow the rules. Mayor Scott Wallace noted, “I’ve never seen a feasibility study on this.” This should have been done before purchasing any land.
Larry Connery, former county commissioner, shared that the proposal never went through for approval from the county. They had only approved it for Off-road trucks – not OHVs or 4WDs.
Farmer Cecil Nelson assured Larson that the farmers control the snowmobile trails and would have no qualms shutting them down.
Karla Bloem shared that her primary concern is the DNR’s mishandling of the trail. She claimed a full national environmental review should have been done before the land was bought. Comments made in emails by DNR employees said that the trail would maximize impact on four trails and that the fragile soil was not suitable; in addition, the trails would disturb rattlesnake habitat. Bloem was also concerned about the potential spread of invasive species.
According to Bloem, no resource managers recommended the trail. With less than 3% of the state area, there are more than 40% of the state’s rare species in the area.
The $25,000 environmental assessment that was completed was not properly conducted. Bloem claimed it did not assess motorized vehicles on the trails. She noted that no historical research was done on the area, stating that an ancient limestone kiln was on the site. The 2013 noise test only measured ambient noise on the site; no vehicles were driven in the area. Winds were too strong the day of the test for valid testing.
Bloem also pointed out that Trails Unlimited had said this project would take the highest level of trail building and upkeep. Originally, the group was going to build the trails as a result; now they are no longer available to do the work. When the question was asked who would build it now, the answer was that the city was responsible to find someone.
Mayor Wallace asked Larson if the trail was part of a bigger plan; Wallace questioned the need for a three acre parking lot. Apparently, nearby land had already been developed with trails and a building. It was part of a grant-in-ad application for extension of the trail, but it proved unacceptable for such a grant.
Members of the audience questioned Larson’s claim that his association had invested money in the trail, pointing out that the contract was with the DNR.
As Mayor Wallace closed the public comment portion of the meeting, he informed Larson his interaction with the council was like “chewing out a CSR and then expecting help!” . . .
Sounds pretty saucy! Bluestem is pleased that the DNR and lobbyists weren't able to run roughshod over the wishes of small town citizens.
Photo: The Houston City Council thoughtfully listened to public comment about the OHV exit resolution. From left to right: Emily Krage, City Administrator Michelle Quinn, Mayor Scott Wallace, Zeb Baumann, Steve Westby, and Cody Mathers.
Photo by Wanda Hanson
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