Bills seeks to create ATV campground in state park

The effort to create a campground for all-terrain vehicle users at Lake Vermillion-Soudan Underground State Park moved one step closer to its goal Wednesday in the House Environment and Natural Resources Policy Committee.

The off-highway vehicle campground is part of the master plan for the park, but ATV/UTV access is prohibited in state parks.

Rep. Rob Ecklund

Sponsored by Rep. Rob Ecklund (DFL-International Falls), HF251, as amended, would create a subdivision for a portion of the property away from the lake for this use. The campground would also offer access to the Prospector ATV Trail currently being developed.

The bill was referred to the House Ways & Means Committee. Its companion, SF497, is sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk (DFL-Cook) and awaits action by the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance Committee.

Phil Leversedge, DNR deputy director of Parks and Trails, spoke in favor of the bill based on the proposal’s accordance with the master plan. He also spoke against an amendment unsuccessfully offered by Rep. Dan Fabian (R-Roseau) to create a pilot program in the park that would allow ATV/UTV use on roads where automobiles are allowed.

“We recognize it is a growing sport,” Leversedge said, adding the DNR is trying to address the demand by developing facilities on state forest lands.

Leversedge said the DNR is in the processes of assembling comments received through the public input process and developing proposals on ATV/UTV use at the park.

“It’s clear what you are doing is not changing the rules about state parks,” said Rep. Jamie Becker-Finn (DFL-Roseville).