Minnesota All-Terrain Vehicle Master Plan

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About the Project
This Statewide Strategic Plan will identify strategies to enhance the ATV program of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and address growing demand for ATV opportunities while considering the long-term environmental and financial impacts of trail development. Plan recommendations will be informed by a thorough existing conditions assessment, multiple public engagement sessions, and a robust statewide spatial analysis that incorporates social, environmental, and infrastructure data.

The final plan will include:

  • ATV usership trends analysis
  • Maintenance recommendations to ensure future trail viability
  • Economic impact estimates of ATV activity in Minnesota
  • Sustainable trail development recommendations
  • Trail development and connectivity opportunity analysis
  • Program, policy, and process recommendations

Project Process


Project Startup
The Project Startup phase includes the development of project contacts lists and a project website. It also includes a review of past planning efforts and initial data gathering for later phases of the project.

Engagement
The Engagement Phase includes several public and stakeholder engagement opportunities. This phase stretches through most of the planning process and includes two public surveys, a series of focus groups and stakeholder meetings, as well as a meeting with members and directors of ATV Minnesota. The survey results can be found in the upper right-hand corner of this page!

Inventory
The Inventory Phase includes a thorough data collection exercise that will result in a comprehensive database of existing ATV trail alignments and characteristics supporting enhanced management and decision-making. The planning team will engage with land managers and trail administrators to build out the quantitative and qualitative trail database.

Analysis
The Analysis Phase includes a robust spatial analysis that incorporates a variety of social, environmental, and infrastructure data. This analysis will help us identify areas of potentially suitable land for ATV trail development, as well as areas where sensitive natural communities or land management may present constraints. This phase also includes an economic impact analysis and an analysis of future maintenance needs and costs.

Plan Documentation
The Plan Documentation phase is where findings from the engagement, inventory, and analysis phases come together to form strategies and recommendations. During this phase we will identify trail development opportunities, economic development strategies, and funding requirements for future trail construction and maintenance.

About the Project
This Statewide Strategic Plan will identify strategies to enhance the ATV program of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and address growing demand for ATV opportunities while considering the long-term environmental and financial impacts of trail development. Plan recommendations will be informed by a thorough existing conditions assessment, multiple public engagement sessions, and a robust statewide spatial analysis that incorporates social, environmental, and infrastructure data.

The final plan will include:

  • ATV usership trends analysis
  • Maintenance recommendations to ensure future trail viability
  • Economic impact estimates of ATV activity in Minnesota
  • Sustainable trail development recommendations
  • Trail development and connectivity opportunity analysis
  • Program, policy, and process recommendations

Project Process


Project Startup
The Project Startup phase includes the development of project contacts lists and a project website. It also includes a review of past planning efforts and initial data gathering for later phases of the project.

Engagement
The Engagement Phase includes several public and stakeholder engagement opportunities. This phase stretches through most of the planning process and includes two public surveys, a series of focus groups and stakeholder meetings, as well as a meeting with members and directors of ATV Minnesota. The survey results can be found in the upper right-hand corner of this page!

Inventory
The Inventory Phase includes a thorough data collection exercise that will result in a comprehensive database of existing ATV trail alignments and characteristics supporting enhanced management and decision-making. The planning team will engage with land managers and trail administrators to build out the quantitative and qualitative trail database.

Analysis
The Analysis Phase includes a robust spatial analysis that incorporates a variety of social, environmental, and infrastructure data. This analysis will help us identify areas of potentially suitable land for ATV trail development, as well as areas where sensitive natural communities or land management may present constraints. This phase also includes an economic impact analysis and an analysis of future maintenance needs and costs.

Plan Documentation
The Plan Documentation phase is where findings from the engagement, inventory, and analysis phases come together to form strategies and recommendations. During this phase we will identify trail development opportunities, economic development strategies, and funding requirements for future trail construction and maintenance.

Discussions: All (15) Open (0)
  • How to use this tool

    over 1 year ago
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    The following forum topics highlight key ideas and themes which emerged during stakeholder sessions, public comment, and focus group discussions held previously in the process. These themes set the foundation for high-level recommendations for the plan. The purpose for this tool is to 1) share what we've heard in the process so far; 2) to further develop the key themes we've heard into actionable guidance; 3) provide a platform for community discussion.

    To participate, please create an account by clicking "register" in the upper right-hand corner of this webpage. Please be respectful of ideas and opinions voiced. This tool is monitored to ensure appropriate community content. By posting, you acknowledge the following:

    Rules of Engagement

    1) Please be respectful of the ideas and opinions of others.

    2) Presume positive intentions.

    3) Vulgar language and content is prohibited.

    4) Moderators reserve the right to remove inappropriate comments and content at their discretion.


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  • Complete Trail Systems

    over 1 year ago
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    Identify what a “complete trail system” looks like and how to achieve it.

    Please consider the following when addressing this theme:

    Things to think about:

    1) What needs to be considered for this key theme?

    2) What should this outcome look like?

    3) What opportunities for collaboration exist related to this theme? (Between different user groups, agencies, etc)



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  • Working with the DNR

    over 1 year ago
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    Enhance communication and working relationships between DNR and outside organizations.

    Please consider the following when addressing this theme:

    Things to think about:

    1) What needs to be considered for this key theme?

    2) What should this outcome look like?

    3) What opportunities for collaboration exist related to this theme? (Between different user groups, agencies, etc)

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  • Grant-In-Aid Program

    over 1 year ago
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    Improve consistency, clarity, and user interface process of Grant-in-Aid process.

    Please consider the following when addressing this theme:

    Things to think about:

    1) What needs to be considered for this key theme?

    2) What should this outcome look like?

    3) What opportunities for collaboration exist related to this theme? (Between different user groups, agencies, etc)

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  • Appropriate Areas for ATV Use

    over 1 year ago
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    Identify appropriate areas for motorized use, avoiding impact on sensitive and critical habitats, residential areas, and wetlands.

    Please consider the following when addressing this theme:

    Things to think about:

    1) What needs to be considered for this key theme?

    2) What should this outcome look like?

    3) What opportunities for collaboration exist related to this theme? (Between different user groups, agencies, etc)

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  • ATVs on Roadways

    over 1 year ago
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    Establish consistent on-road policy framework that can be adopted at the state, county and municipal level.

    Please consider the following when addressing this theme:

    Things to think about:

    1) What needs to be considered for this key theme?

    2) What should this outcome look like?

    3) What opportunities for collaboration exist related to this theme? (Between different user groups, agencies, etc)

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  • Rider Education, Safety, and Responsibility

    over 1 year ago
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    Identify reoccurring opportunities for rider education, safety, and respectful & responsible riding courses for the public.

    Please consider the following when addressing this theme:

    Things to think about:

    1) What needs to be considered for this key theme?

    2) What should this outcome look like?

    3) What opportunities for collaboration exist related to this theme? (Between different user groups, agencies, etc)

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  • Trail Management Objectives

    over 1 year ago
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    Create standard Trail Management Objectives (TMO’s) across the state.

    Please consider the following when addressing this theme:

    Things to think about:

    1) What needs to be considered for this key theme?

    2) What should this outcome look like?

    3) What opportunities for collaboration exist related to this theme? (Between different user groups, agencies, etc)

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  • Trail Maintenance & Development

    over 1 year ago
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    Provide training opportunities for sustainable trail development & maintenance.

    Please consider the following when addressing this theme:

    Things to think about:

    1) What needs to be considered for this key theme?

    2) What should this outcome look like?

    3) What opportunities for collaboration exist related to this theme? (Between different user groups, agencies, etc)

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  • User Conflict

    over 1 year ago
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    a) Identify areas with an established user base that may experience negative impacts due to user conflict and displacement of other users groups due to motorized use.

    b) When possible, separate motorized and non-motorized trail uses while reducing the redundancy of infrastructure like bridges.

    Please consider the following when addressing this theme:

    Things to think about:

    1) What needs to be considered for this key theme?

    2) What should this outcome look like?

    3) What opportunities for collaboration exist related to this theme? (Between different user groups, agencies, etc)

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Page last updated: 21 Mar 2024, 06:56 AM