New off-road rules for MN National Forest

Off-highway vehicle riders in the Superior National Forest will need to become familiar with detailed maps showing which roads they can use and which are off-limits under a new plan.

The OHV plan is years in the making and survived court challenges by environmental groups.

Forest Service spokeswoman Kris Reichenbach said it's designed to keep OHV riders away from sensitive areas of the 2 million-acre forest, and offer more long-distance routes and loops.

"We're hoping people will see this is a good thing for the OHV riders and also a good thing for the resources." Reichenbach said. "We have about 1,600 miles now of roads and trails for off-highway-vehicle use."

Many roads and trails will not be marked, so riders will need the maps, which are available at Forest Service offices and on the web.

Environmental groups had argued the plan would increase OHV use in the forest, bringing in more invasive species and polluting air and water.

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