[2017] NRB 2B3 - Amendment to the Recreation Portion of the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest Master Plan

The existing master plan for the NHAL was approved in 2005. Since that time, several trends in recreation participation, along with changes to the use and management of surrounding public lands, have placed different and new demands on the property. To adapt to these changes and to ensure that the Department of Natural Resources continues to provide high-quality experiences to visitors, changes are proposed to outdoor recreation opportunities provided at the property.

The more notable proposed changes to the master plan include:

• Converting four rustic campgrounds to more modern facilities.
• Designating two rustic campgrounds as quiet zones where no generators or amplified sounds would be allowed.
• Adding two new group campsites and 38 new water-access campsites.
• Adding up to five miles of hiking trails, 50 miles of mountain biking and off-road bicycle trails, and 60 miles of bicycle touring trails.
• Designating up to 205 miles of existing DNR forest roads as ATV/UTV routes or trails to create connections across the property as part of the broader regional network and provide loop trails where locally desired.
• Developing up to 36 miles of off-highway motorcycle trails.
• Developing preferred tours for dual-sport motorcycles and 4-wheel drive trucks on existing DNR forest roads and local roads where they are currently authorized.

The proposed amendment does not propose any changes to the land management classifications of the NHAL and all components of the 2005 property master plan will remain unchanged unless directly noted in this amendment.