Off-Highway Vehicle Strategic Master Plans

Background:

As a result of legislative direction in 2019 and 2021, the DNR completed a draft set of Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) strategic master plans. The OHV strategic master plans are guiding documents for OHV recreation across Minnesota. These plans communicate the background and trends of OHV recreation, share information about statewide OHV trail management and strategic planning, guide future trail maintenance and development practices, highlight conditions that are suited for future OHV trail opportunities, and discuss situations where OHV trail development is not appropriate. The ultimate goal for each plan is to provide transparency around OHV system management for anyone directly or indirectly involved or interested in OHV recreation in Minnesota.

Public engagement:

The planning process for the three strategic master plans included extensive opportunities for public engagement. Engagement included questionnaires and focus groups with a variety of stakeholders such as trail enthusiasts, local units of government, environmental groups, and others interested in OHV recreation. The DNR incorporated what was learned during these feedback opportunities and used it to guide development of the draft plans.

Public review:

The DNR is ready to share the draft strategic master plans and invite public review. You can read the plans and share your feedback using the tools below, by sending an email to OHV.Planning.DNR@state.mn.us, or by mailing your feedback to Molly Lou Pintok, 500 Lafayette Rd, St. Paul, MN 55155.

There are three plans, one for each type of OHV – all-terrain vehicles (ATV), off-road vehicles (ORV), and off-highway motorcycles (OHM). In addition to the respective plans, the DNR has developed an integrated overview document to clearly demonstrate the connected nature of these systems.

How feedback will be used:

The DNR has completed extensive public engagement during the development of the OHV Strategic Master Plans. The DNR will also review all feedback submitted in this last phase to inform the finalization and distribution of the OHV Strategic Master Plans.

Informational webinar:

The DNR will host a webinar on December 18 to provide the public with an overview of the strategic master plans. Instructions for how to join the webinar will be posted here.

It is strongly advised that you review this overview document prior to reading any of the OHV Strategic Master Plans. This will provide essential background information, outline key concepts and shared themes across the plans, and offer insight into how the plans are interconnected, particularly in relation to motorized recreation management in Minnesota.