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Prescott National Forest Seeks Public Comment on Forest Plan Revision	01/29/2010

DNR Seeks Comments on Environmental Assessment Worksheet for Virginia Expansion of the Iron Range Off-highway Vehicle Recreation Area

November 17th, 2009

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) is seeking public comments on a proposal to develop a 2,704-acre expansion to the existing Iron Range Off-highway Vehicle Recreation Area (OHVRA), in Gilbert, Minnesota. The proposed expansion site is located one mile north of the existing Iron Range OHVRA, partially within the city of Virginia, Minnesota.

The Virginia expansion site will be managed out of the existing facility, which will be linked to the expansion area by a connector road. This proposed expansion includes the development of the connector road, a core trail system, vehicle-specified trails, and perimeter fencing.

Public comments on the Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) will be accepted during the 30-day public review period, which runs from November 16 through December 16, 2009.

The EAW document and maps can be viewed or downloaded from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' website at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/input/environmentalreview/virginia_ohvra/index.html.
Additional copies may be requested by calling 651-259-5157.

A copy of the EAW is also available for public review at the following locations:

DNR Library, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55155
DNR Northeast Regional Headquarters (Region 2), 1201 E. Highway 2, Grand Rapids, MN 55744
Minneapolis Public Library, Government Documents, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55401
Arrowhead Regional Library, Duluth Public Library, 520 W Superior St., Duluth, MN 55802
Virginia Public Library, 215 5th Ave S, Virginia, MN USA 55792
Gilbert Public Library, 17 N Broadway, P.O. Box 75, Gilbert, MN 55741-0758

MAIL COMMENTS TO:
          Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
          Division of Ecological Resources, Box 25
          Attn: Ronald Wieland
          500 Lafayette Road
          St. Paul, MN 55155-4025

EMAIL COMMENTS TO:
environmental.review@dnr.state.mn.us

Please put "Virginia OHVRA" in the subject line of e-mail comments. Comments should include your name and address.

FAX COMMENTS TO:
(651) 297-1500.

Written comments on the EAW must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 16, 2009.

For further information, please call (651) 259-5157.

JUST REMEMBER, PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IS CRUCIAL TO KEEP RECREATION AREAS OPEN; PLEASE GET INVOLVED!

Thanks in advance for your support,
Ric Foster
Public Lands Department Manager
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 107

The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national (non-profit) trail-saving group that represents over 600,000 recreationists nationwide The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) season is beginning. Federal employees, please mark BlueRibbon Coalition and Check #11402 on your CFC pledge form to support our efforts to protect your access. Join us at 1-800-258-3742 http://www.sharetrails.org