Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Atv Funded Projects St Louis topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee sends $952,000 package of ATV projects for St. Louis County to Ways and Means
Summary
House File 279, carrying $952,000 from the ATV dedicated account for multiple St. Louis County trail projects, was recommended for referral to Ways and Means. Testifiers said the funding will improve connectivity, safety and tourism; DNR explained grants from the dedicated account are pass‑throughs with contract and permitting requirements.
The committee referred House File 279 to the Ways and Means Committee after testimony supporting an appropriation package totaling $952,000 in ATV dedicated funds for projects in St. Louis County.
Representative (Warwas) introduced HF279 and said the bill funds projects to improve trail connectivity, safety and accessibility in northeastern Minnesota. He outlined the bill’s allocation in testimony: $75,000 to the Outborn Dirt Devils (engineer, permit and right‑of‑way work for a new trail connecting County Road 166 to Aspen Road); $480,000 to engineer and construct the 7 Beavers ATV Trail; $100,000 to design and acquire right‑of‑way for a trail connecting the Lumberjack to Brookston Trail; $97,000 to the Quad Cities ATV Club for a new trailhead facility; and $200,000 for a study to establish ATV route connectivity to and through the western part of Duluth.
St. Louis County Commissioner Mike Djukovich testified the regional joint ATV board is expanding to include Itasca County and that a 2023 economic impact study found about $36.1 million in economic impact tied to the regional trail system; he described the projects as important for tourism and economic development.
Jason Chop of the Northeast Regional ATV Joint Powers Board offered technical assistance during the hearing. DNR Parks and Trails representative Laura Preuss told the committee that funds from the ATV dedicated account are typically distributed as pass‑through grants and that project grants are governed by contract terms, permitting requirements and reporting obligations: grant recipients must meet project milestones and applicable environmental and permitting rules.
Representative Purcell and others asked about local matching and whether clubs or counties contribute funds; DNR staff and a county commissioner described a mix of local volunteer contributions, club dues, federal Recreational Trails Program funds, bonding and other pots that together support trail projects.
The committee renewed the motion and referred HF279 to Ways and Means (voice vote). The bill’s appropriation is from the dedicated ATV account; DNR and county testifiers said grant agreements and permit reviews would govern how funds are spent and reported.
