ATV seniors want politicians to back off

[Ten Bears]

Pat Faherty
Budgeteer News

The Wrinkled Riders want more ATV access to area trails and the octogenarian leader of the pack thinks the whole process would go smoother if politicians put their energies elsewhere.

Silver Bay resident Jim Harris is trail boss for a group of geriatric off-road riders and is very familiar with all-terrain vehicle (ATV) access issues in the Finland State Forest.

The 81-year-old off-road enthusiast can also be close- lipped about group outings, since too big a crowd of old timers tends to slow things down on the trail. He also slyly acknowledged, that just occasionally, they might have to cut across an area currently closed to ATVs.

Harris is aware of public opinion regarding the impact of ATVs in the woods. He thinks just putting a trail ride together can raise environmental anxiety.

“It’s a parking issue,” he said. “People see all those trucks (for hauling ATVs) lined up and think we’re out tearing up the trails.”

The group has about 40 listed members from Duluth to the North Shore. “Some are active and some just come one time,” said Harris. He and a few other members turned out in Two Harbors Wednesday, for an open house by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The session was to update the public on access planning for trail development in a portion of the Finland State Forest. The established routes have long been popular with snowmobilers, though most are closed to ATVs and other off-road vehicles.

It came a day after legislative action in St. Paul that produced an off-highway vehicle bill from the Senate. Harris said he’d be happy if they would leave access issues to the DNR and spend more of the ATV license fee money on trail maintenance.

“Let the forest service handle it,” he said. “They know what we need.”

The DNR is developing a plan for upgrading some well-known snowmobile loops and logging roads for ATV use.

Tom Peterson, with DNR Trails and Waterways, said the result will provide about 60 miles of riding. The Moosewalk/ Mooserun Trail, which loops off the North Shore State Trail near Finland, will be improved. They will connect with the Red Dot ATV Trail, which links Beaver Bay and Silver Bay to the North Shore Trail.

The project will also involve 6.6 miles of the North Shore Trail as a connection. While popular with ATV riders, the project has been controversial. Last year it was challenged in Lake County District Court by Minnesotans for Responsible Recreation on environmental grounds. However, the court ruled in favor of the DNR, and project planning continues.

Peterson said the funding is in place. However, there is no certain timetable as the DNR is still awaiting a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He said the open house was held to answer questions and see if they have missed anything in the planning process.

“Absolutely,” said Finland resident Patricia Taylor, as to whether ATV access should be allowed. “It would help the businesses in Finland and Isabella.”

She has lived near the Moosewalk Trail for 35 years and doesn’t think ATVs will have a negative impact. “We’re responsible people,” she said. “ATVs are a recreational tool now.”

OOPs, forgot to post the source.

http://www.duluth.com/placed/index.php?story_id=141306&view=text

 

[ELKCHSR]

That is a very good find...Thanks Paws...It is good to see that more and more people are getting into the outdoors...

 

[JoseCuervo]

Originally posted by ELKCHSR:
That is a very good find...Thanks Paws...It is good to see that more and more people are getting into the outdoors...

Why would you tell Paws this was a good find? Remember, you have two eyes, and one keyboard. Maybe you could do a bit more reading, and a bit less posting. Then you might have a clue who posted the information....

Ten,
As usual, thanks again for showing more Fat-Assed ATV riders breaking the law.

The 81-year-old off-road enthusiast can also be close- lipped about group outings, since too big a crowd of old timers tends to slow things down on the trail. He also slyly acknowledged, that just occasionally, they might have to cut across an area currently closed to ATVs.

Funny, how we hear it is just a few of the Fat-Assed crowd breaking the rules, but Ten's poster Octogenerian just happens to be one of the law breakers.

Hey Ten, how you gonna go about educating these senior citizens????

 

[ELKCHSR]

OOPS, My very bad...
Sorry Ten, won't happen again...
Thanks for catching me on that oversite Gunner...

 

[Ten Bears]

I guess you'd have to educate them just like everyone else. I thought the whole statement about "outings" wasprety good.

The 81-year-old off-road enthusiast can also be close- lipped about group outings, since too big a crowd of old timers tends to slow things down on the trail. He also slyly acknowledged, that just occasionally, they might have to cut across an area currently closed to ATVs.

Harris is aware of public opinion regarding the impact of ATVs in the woods. He thinks just putting a trail ride together can raise environmental anxiety.

“It’s a parking issue,” he said. “People see all those trucks (for hauling ATVs) lined up and think we’re out tearing up the trails.”

He also slyly acknowledged, that just occasionally, they might have to cut across an area currently closed to ATVs.

My question would be did he acknowledge doing it, or did the reporter just read that into the interview, or just added it at print time to "spice up" the article?

 

[Ithaca 37]

Busted!! Now we even have the fatassed senior representative admitting they ride illegally and unIthically!

 

[JoseCuervo]

Ithica,

Again, it is not the ATV rider, it is the machine that keeps causing these edjumacated people to keep breaking the law and riding un-Ithically.....

Ten, how come you always post about ATV riders breaking the law and poaching? Do any of them follow the laws????

 

[BuzzH]

Poor Ten Beers, he cant win for losing.

 

[Ten Bears]

You three truly are a blissful trio. I don't know how you get through the day without being spoon fed, and led to the bathroom down the hall.

 

[JoseCuervo]

Ten,

With all the little voices you always hear, I too, think YOU are a blissful "trio"....