Pilot program would allow ATVs on two state parks’ roads

All-terrain vehicles are one of the few motorized vehicles not allowed on state park roadways. That could change at two state parks.

Sponsored by Rep. Dan Fabian (R-Roseau), HF3142 would create a pilot program to allow ATVs to use roadways at Lake Vermillion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park and Hayes Lake State Park campgrounds. ATV users would be required to purchase state park registration stickers and only drive on designated roadways.

It was laid over Tuesday by the House Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee. It has no Senate companion. “This is one of the biggest questions we get asked over and over again: ‘Where can I camp that I can ride from?’” said George Radke, president of the Minnesota ATV Association. “We’re not looking to actually use the park itself to ride in, we’re using the facilities and the camping.”

Radke said the measure would bring added revenue to the parks, as there are an estimated 500,000 ATV riders in Minnesota. Fabian expects it would increase park attendance as well. That said, the bill faces considerable opposition.

Phil Leversedge, deputy director of DNR Parks and Trails, said that while the department does its best to support motorized recreation, it could not support the bill.

“We believe that the bill as written is inconsistent with the Outdoor Recreation Act, in that the Outdoor Recreation Act does not suggest allowing motorized, off-highway vehicles in state parks,” Leversedge said.

Brett Feldman, executive director of the Minnesota Parks and Trails Council, also spoke in opposition. The council is a citizen advisory board for state parks that has been operating since 1954.

“Our members are greatly concerned with the changes this bill proposes,” Feldman said. “Minnesota state parks were never intended to accommodate ATVs, the Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Act makes this clear. What’s more, this bill runs counter to the state park user preferences. For more than a decade DNR visitor surveys have clearly and consistently shown a majority of visitors oppose allowing ATVs in state parks.”

Radke reiterated that ATVs users are not looking to use the park for riding.

“We don’t anticipate that we’re going to do anything more than ride in, ride out, the same that it would be with any other licensed vehicle using the existing roads and such that are in place today,” Radke said.

Radke also pointed out that ATVs are the only motorized vehicles not allowed on park roadways.

“Snowmobiles are allowed, [off-road vehicles] are allowed and so are [off-highway motorcycles] because they’re licensed vehicles to use roads. … We’re not looking to do anything more or anything less than what these motorized vehicles are already doing,” Radke said.