DNR seeks comments on EAW for Star of The North Walking Trail

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has released and is accepting comments on an environmental assessment worksheet for a proposed hunter walking trail in Roseau and Lake of the Woods counties. 

The DNR is proposing construction and designation of the Star of the North Walking Trail. The project would link about 29.5 miles of existing routes with 27.5 miles of new trail development to create a 57-mile loop system of signed and maintained natural surface walking trail corridor.

Hunter walking trails provide comparatively easy access to grouse and woodcock areas in Minnesota’s primary grouse range. These trails wind their way through wildlife management areas, connecting with some state forests and other public hunting lands.

The agency will take comments during a 30-day public review period from Jan. 1 to Jan. 31.

A copy of the EAW is available online on the Star of the North Walking Trail page.  A hard copy may be requested by calling 651-259-5115.

The EAW is available for public review at:

• DNR Library, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155.
• DNR Northwest Region Headquarters, 2115 Birchmont Beach Rd. NE, Bemidji, MN 56601.
• Minneapolis Central Library, Government Documents, 2nd Floor, 300 Nicollet Mall.
• Roseau Public Library, 121 Center Street, Suite 100, Roseau, MN  56751.
• Warroad City Library, 202 North Main Ave., Warroad, MN  56763.
• Williams Public Library, 250 Main St., Williams, MN  56686.
• Bemidji Public Library, 509 America Ave. NW, Bemidji, MN  56601.

The EAW notice was published in the Jan. 1 EQB Monitor. Written comments must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 31, to the attention of Cynthia Novak-Krebs EAW project manager, Environmental Policy and Review Unit, Ecological and Water Resources Division, DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4025. 

Electronic or email comments may be sent to environmentalrev.dnr@state.mn.us with “Star of the North Trail EAW” in the subject line.  If submitting comments electronically, include name and mailing address. Written comments may also be sent by fax to 651-296-1811. Names and addresses will be published as part of the EAW record.

MnDOT invites public comments on Freight Investment Plan

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation is taking public comments on the Freight Investment Plan. The plan will help the agency and its stakeholders make freight capital improvements that improve freight mobility, safety and first- and last-mile connections over the next 10 years.

“The Freight Investment Plan addresses some of the freight transportation needs that exist across Minnesota,” said William Gardner, director of the Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations. “These investments will help the state’s businesses shop and receive their goods more efficiently, reliably and safely.”

The public can comment on the plan until Dec. 18. The plan is online athttp://www.mndot.gov/planning/freightplan/index.html.The plan is also available at MnDOT’s Central Office library, 395 John Ireland Blvd, St. Paul, and at the agency’s district offices around the state.

Comments also may be submitted via email to FreightPlans.DOT@state.mn.us or mailed to Nicole George, Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations, MS 470, 395 John Ireland Blvd. St. Paul, MN, 55155.

The investment plan identifies $99 million in freight capital improvement projects, including interchange and intersection reconstructions, highway improvements and port terminal expansions. They were selected through a statewide grant application process.

The project list is online at www.mndot.gov/ofrw/mhfp.

After the Freight Investment Plan is finalized, it will be amended into MnDOT’s Statewide Freight System Plan, which was revised to address requirements of the federal Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act legislation passed in 2015.

MnDOT hosts listening session for mowing/haying

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation is seeking public comment regarding mowing and haying in ditches and other rights of way along state roadways.

The listening session will take place on Monday, Oct. 30 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Bede Ballroom at the University of Minnesota, Crookston, 2900 University Avenue.  Officials from the Minnesota Department of Transportation will be on hand to hear concerns and wishes regarding mowing and haying.

Detailed information on the listening session is available at the project website. Additionally, concerned individuals who cannot attend a listening session, are invited to submit a public comment via MnDOT’s website: www.dot.state.mn.us

“This is a challenging issue,” said MnDOT Assistant Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger, who is heading the outreach and proposal development work. “The right of way serves many purposes, all of them valid. We want to ensure that we address all the needs, including the safety of roadway users, as best we can. We need the public’s help to identify the best route to follow.”

In late 2016, MnDOT sent out a news release reminding the public that permits were required to mow and hay in state right of way and that a new permit form was available. It announced the deadlines for permit applications. Due to public concern, during the 2017 state legislative session, the Legislature imposed a moratorium on permitting for mowing and haying on state rights of way. Legislators directed MnDOT to conduct public outreach and develop a legislative proposal regarding mowing and haying in state right of way.

MnDOT seeks public comment regarding mowing/haying on state right of way

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation is seeking public comment regarding mowing and haying in ditches and other rights of way along state roadways.

The agency today announced it will conduct a series of listening sessions across the state to hear from Minnesotans about their concerns and wishes regarding mowing and haying. Listening sessions will be held in the following communities: 

Crookston Oct. 30, 2017 – 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. University of Minnesota Crookston – Bede Ballroom – 2900 University Ave., Crookston

Marshall Nov 8, 2017 – 6-8 p.m. Marshall Middle School – 401 South Saratoga Street, Marshall

St. Cloud

Nov. 9, 2017 – 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

St. Cloud MnDOT Conference Center, 3725 12^th St. N., St. Cloud

Mankato

Nov. 14, 2017 – 6 – 8 p.m.

South Central College – 1920 Lee Boulevard, North Mankato

Morris

Nov. 15, 2017 – 6 – 8 p.m.

U of M Morris Conference Room, 600 E 4^th St., Morris

Metro

Nov. 16, 2017 – 6 – 8 p.m.

Arden Hills Training Center – 1900 County Road West, Shoreview

Brainerd/Baxter

Nov. 20, 2017 – 6 – 8 p.m.

MnDOT Baxter – 7694 Industrial Park Rd, Baxter

Detailed information on the listening sessions is available at the project website. Additionally, concerned individuals who cannot attend a listening session, are invited to submit a public comment via MnDOT’s website: www.dot.state.mn.us

 

“This is a challenging issue,” said MnDOT Assistant Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger, who is heading the outreach and proposal development work. “The right of way serves many purposes, all of them valid. We want to ensure that we address all the needs, including the safety of roadway users, as best we can. We need the public’s help to identify the best route to follow.”

In late 2016, MnDOT sent out a news release reminding the public that permits were required to mow and hay in state right of way and that a new permit form was available, and announced the deadlines for permit applications. Due to public concern, during the 2017 state legislative session, the Legislature imposed a moratorium on permitting for mowing and haying on state rights of way. 

Legislators directed MnDOT to conduct public outreach and develop a legislative proposal regarding mowing and haying in state right of way.