EAGLES NEST TWP — The Eagles Nest Town Board adopted a new ordinance that creates specific zones for any new off-highway vehicle trails in the township. The new ordinance basically limits OHV trails and expansion to existing trail locations in the township.
“Nothing will change for the Prospectors Trail No. 4,” said Bob Streetar, a consultant hired by the town board to work on the new ordinance. “What this does is eliminates any possibility of the proposed central trail being constructed.”
The ordinance would limit any expansion of the Prospector Trail No. 4 outside of its existing route, he noted. The ordinance limits OHV trails to a maximum width of 16 feet and requires road crossings to meet MnDOT, county, and township standards.
“This was adopted under the township’s zoning authority,” said Board Chair David Chiabotti. “It prohibits new trails and the expansion of existing trails outside those corridors. The ordinance does not prohibit the lawful use of OHVs within the township. Rather, it regulates the location of trail corridors to better protect residents, private property, natural resources, and public infrastructure.”
Board members noted that the township does not have the authority to shut down any existing OHV trails.
“Healthy local economies depend on certainty, stewardship, and community trust,” Chiabotti noted. “This ordinance creates a planning framework that allows responsible recreation to continue while protecting the qualities that make Eagles Nest Township a desirable place to live, visit, and invest.”
The ordinance reflects the township’s shift from a reactive approach to a proactive planning framework that balances recreation with safety, environmental protection, fiscal responsibility, and respect for private property, he added.
The Prospectors Trail group had proposed a new OHV route that tracked through the more densely populated, central part of the township, that would involve sharing narrow gravel roads with OHVs. This proposal created major concerns from both residents and township officials.
While OHVs are allowed to use St. Louis County roadways, residents were concerned that creating a mapped route would vastly increase OHV traffic.
The township has been dealing with this issue for the past five years. And township residents have shown overwhelming support to limiting any new OHV trails.
“The OHV Corridor Overlay District reflects the community’s commitment to balancing recreational freedom with other, equally important community values such as safety, financial and environmental stewardship, neighborhood livability, and respect for private property,” the new ordinance states.
The board held a public hearing on the proposed ordinance prior to the town board vote. About 14 people attended the hearing in person, with multiple people tuning in via Zoom.
Ren Graham, who lives on Migisi Rd., thanked the township for their work on the ordinance.
“This is a continuation of the values written into the petition signed by over 400 property owners (back in 2022). I encourage the board to pass this ordinance,” she said.
But another township property owner (who would not give his name to this reporter), said he had moved to the township back in 2022 and accused the board of acting unethically in adopting this ordinance. “Stuff happens in the winter, all in one meeting,” he said.
Lori McIntyre, who commented via Zoom, noted that OHVs do not bring any financial benefits to the township, because they do not have any commercial or retail businesses. While she was in support of the ordinance, she said the township still needed to address issues surrounding the existing trails.
Supervisor Jackie Monahan-Junek reiterated the ordinance does not prohibit the lawful use of OHVs in the township and supports the long-term economic vitality of the township by creating clear rules and ensuring that resident’s investments in their recreational property is secure.
Questions were raised about the potential issue of the state allowing OHV use on the existing portion of the Taconite Snowmobile Trail that goes through Bear Head Lake State Park. Right now, OHV use in state parks is limited.
“If the state opened that up,” said Chiabotti, “we can change the ordinance and overlay district map.”
After closing the public hearing, the board held a brief discussion and then voted unanimously to adopt the new ordinance.
A map of the new overlay district, along with the complete text of the ordinance, was published in the Jan. 23 Timberjay on page 8B (visit Timberjay.com and click on legals to download the page). The map shows OHV overlay corridor in purple (this is a partially complete trail on the north side of Hwy. 169), with connector trails (on gravel roads) in green, along with completed Prospector Trail No. 4 in red, which is south of Hwy. 169.