DNR news releases, June 19, 2014

MINNESOTA DNR NEWS #46                                                                             June 19, 2014
All news releases are available in the DNR’s website newsroom at www.mndnr.gov/news.
Follow the DNR on Twitter @mndnr.

IN THIS ISSUE
Franz Jevne State Park temporarily closed due to flooding
Heavy rains prompt closures of some OHV trails and state forest roads
Cuyuna Country SRA mountain bike trails remain open during trailhead construction


DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   

Franz Jevne State Park temporarily closed due to flooding

Franz Jevne State Park, near the Minnesota-Canada border, is closed temporarily due to flooding along the Rainy River, the Department of Natural Resources said.

For updates and more information, visit www.mndnr.gov/jevne or contact the DNR Information Center at info.dnr@state.mn.us, 651-296-6157, or 888-646-6367 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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DNR NEWS   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                              June 19, 2014.

Heavy rains prompt closures of some OHV trails and state forest roads

Heavy rains in portions of northern Minnesota have prompted the closure of some off-highway vehicle (OHV) trails and state forest roads, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said.

Some forest roads and OHV trails are flooded, are unstable due to soil saturation or have washed out in sections, so several have been temporarily closed to the public and signed at entry points.

Kabetogema, Koochiching, Land O’Lakes and St. Croix state forests are some of the impacted areas.

State forest road and trail users should check "Current Conditions" on the DNR website at www.mndnr.gov/trailconditions/index.html before traveling. Road and trail closing information will be updated as conditions change.

“By checking the conditions online, trails users should be able to find alternative locations where they can still get out to enjoy the trails,” said Joe Alberio, a district supervisor for the DNR’s Parks and Trails Division. “The road and trail closures will be lifted as soon as conditions allow and repairs are made, and we ask everyone to ride responsibly wherever they are.”

State forest road and trail condition information is also available by contacting the DNR Information Center at info.dnr@state.mn.us, 651-296-6157, or 888-646-6367 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                               June 19, 2014

Cuyuna Country SRA mountain bike trails remain open during trailhead construction

Construction of the new trailhead is underway at Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area (SRA) in Ironton (north of Brainerd). Most of the recreation area will remain open throughout the construction season, however the Pennington Mine Lake public water access, Huntington Mine Lake carry-in canoe access and the road to Miner’s Mountain Overlook will be closed temporarily for visitor safety.

Signs will be posted and trail users will be directed to the Croft Mine parking area.

“There will be some inconvenience this summer, but the end product will be worth it,” said SRA manager Steve Weber.

The new facility will provide 96 additional parking spots, changing stations, picnic shelter, vault toilet and new walkway with waterfront access to Huntington Mine Lake. The project is expected to take 8-10 weeks, and managers are optimistic the new facility will be open for use before Labor Day Weekend.  

The 25-mile mountain bike trail system will remain open throughout construction, as will the Yawkey trailhead area, the paved Cuyuna Lakes State Trail and the campground.

The SRA will also be getting three yurts this summer. Yurts are round tents set on wooden platforms and furnished with bunk beds, tables, chairs and a wood stove. The yurts, each of which will sleep up to six people, are being built on the west side of the Yawkey Mine Lake. The yurt location is northeast of the existing campground, which has 25 first-come, first-served campsites and a group camp, with showers and flush toilets typically available from April through October.

Funding for the new facilities is from bonding and the Park and Trails Fund, created after voters approved the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment in November 2008. The Parks and Trails Fund receives 14.25 percent of the sales tax revenue and may only be spent to support parks and rails of regional or statewide significance.

For construction updates and more information including a map showing where the new facilities are being built, visit www.mndnr.gov/cuyuna or contact the DNR Information Center at info.dnr@state.mn.us or 651-296-6157, 888-646-6367 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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