This document is made available electronically by the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library as part of an ongoing digital archiving project. http://www.leg.state.mn.us/lrl/lrl.asp Taconite State Trail Master Plan Including the David Dill / Taconite State Trail Parks and Trails Division July, 2017 The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Parks and Trails Division would like to thank everyone who participated in this master planning process for the Taconite State Trail. Numerous individuals, local community groups, and trail organizations have worked for years to support this trail. DNR staff, U.S. Forest Service staff, city, county and state officials, trail organizations, and local citizens contributed their time and energy to the planning process. DNR Planning Team • Diane Anderson, planner • Andrew Brown, area specialist (Grand Rapids) • Brad Dekkers, area specialist (Tower) • Jenny Eastvold, manager, McCarthy Beach State Park • Andrew Grinstead, Conservation Corps planning specialist (2016) • Sam Johnson, acquisition and development specialist (retired 2015) • Andrew Korsberg, state trail coordinator • Guy Lunz, area supervisor (Grand Rapids) • Joe Majerus, area supervisor (Tower) • Bob Moore, area supervisor (retired 2016) • Jody Popesh, assistant manager, Bear Head Lake State Park • Dawn Ryan, manager, McCarthy Beach State Park (starting in 2016) • Mary Straka, OHV coordinator • Mary Van Dyke, Conservation Corps planning specialist (2015) • John Voges, district supervisor • Jen Westlund, manager, Bear Head Lake State Park Copyright 2017 State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources The Minnesota DNR prohibits discrimination in its programs and services based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, public assistance status, age, sexual orientation or disability. Persons with disabilities may request reasonable modifications to access or participate in DNR programs and services by contacting the DNR ADA Title II Coordinator at [email protected] U35T or 651-259-5488. Discrimination inquiries should be sent to Minnesota DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN, 55155-4049; or Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C. Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20240. Cover photos: Snowmobilers on Taconite State Trail (left); Taconite State Trail in Grand Rapids (top right); Taconite State Trail near McCarthy Beach State Park (bottom right), (MN DNR). DEPARTMENT OF m, NATURAL RESOURCES Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Approval of the Taconite State Trail Master Plan, Including David Dill/Taconite State Trail Minnesota Statutes, Section 86A.09, requires that a master plan be prepared for units of Minnesota's outdoor recreation system, including state trails. This master plan addresses the Taconite and David Dill/Taconite State Trail, which is authorized to extend from Ely to Grand Rapids. This trail was authorized in 1974, in Minnesota Statutes, Section 85.015, Subdivision 13, (a)(l). In 2016, the Minnesota Legislature established the David Dill Memorial Trail, which includes the David Dill/Taconite State Trail in Minnesota Statutes, Section 85.015, Subdivision 13, (a)(3). A Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) interdisciplinary team developed the master plan with assistance from local and federal government agencies, trail advocates, and other stakeholders located throughout the trail corridor. The plan received input and comments from the public during a 30-day public review period and open house meetings held in Ely, Side Lake, and Grand Rapids. The Taconite State Trail Master Plan, including David Dill/Taconite State Trail, has been reviewed by the DNR Parks and Trails Division and the Northeast Regional Management Team. I have reviewed this master plan and determined that it complies with the Minnesota Statutes 86A.09 and find that it provides for the administration of the Taconite State Trail and David Dill/Taconite State Trail in a manner consistent with the purposes for which the trail was authorized. ,fzo/zo17 Erika Rivers, Director Date MNDNR, Parks and Trails Division Minnesota Department of Natural Resources• Parks and Trails Division 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155 TACONITE STATE TRAIL MASTER PLAN Table of Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................................ 1 1. Planning Process, Purpose and Scope .................................................................................. 3 Planning History ........................................................................................................................... 3 Planning Process and Scope ......................................................................................................... 4 Why Plan? .................................................................................................................................... 4 Public Involvement and Partnerships .......................................................................................... 4 Guiding Principles for Sustainable Trails ...................................................................................... 7 Vision and Goals for the Taconite State Trail ............................................................................. 10 Trail Development History ......................................................................................................... 10 Related Planning and Studies..................................................................................................... 11 2. Trail Uses ......................................................................................................................... 14 3. Trail Alignment ................................................................................................................ 18 Corridor Overview ...................................................................................................................... 18 Landownership and Administration........................................................................................... 18 Sustainable Trail Development Criteria ..................................................................................... 23 Feasibility for Multiple Trail Uses ............................................................................................... 24 Trail Planning Segments and Details .......................................................................................... 25 Planning Segment 1: Ely to Bear Head Lake State Park ............................................................. 27 Planning Segment 2: Bear Head Lake State Park to David Dill/Arrowhead State Trail ............. 38 Planning Segment 3: David Dill/Arrowhead State Trail to U.S Highway 53 ............................... 45 Planning Segment 4: U.S. Highway 53 to MN Highway 73 ........................................................ 49 Planning Segment 5: MN Highway 73 to MN Highway 65 ......................................................... 54 Planning Segment 6: MN Highway 65 to CSAH 7 Parking Lot .................................................... 64 Planning Segment 7: CSAH 7 Parking Lot to CSAH 60 ................................................................ 68 Planning Segment 8: CSAH 60 to Grand Rapids ......................................................................... 71 4. Trail Management ............................................................................................................ 78 History of Use ............................................................................................................................. 78 Trail Operations and Maintenance ............................................................................................ 78 Information, Education and Interpretive Services ..................................................................... 81 Volunteer Trail Ambassador Program ....................................................................................... 83 Enforcement .............................................................................................................................. 84 5. Natural Resources ............................................................................................................ 86 Ecological Classification System ................................................................................................. 86 July, 2017 Page i TACONITE STATE TRAIL MASTER PLAN Climate ....................................................................................................................................... 88 Geology and Soils ....................................................................................................................... 89 Vegetation .................................................................................................................................. 90 Water Resources ........................................................................................................................ 94 Fisheries ..................................................................................................................................... 97 Wildlife ....................................................................................................................................... 98 Threatened, Endangered, and Special Concern Species, and SGCN .......................................... 99 6. Cultural Resources.........................................................................................................