Plan for 'Border to Border' route in Cook County inches forward

Discussion continues throughout northern Minnesota, including here in Cook County, regarding a proposed Border to Border Touring Route. The route is described as a backcountry adventure tour for road legal off-highway vehicles over existing gravel or paved Forest Service, DNR or county-managed roads. The route, when finalized, will be signed and mapped.

There have been concerns expressed publicly about the B2B in Cook County, including a fear that the roads on the proposed route will not hold up to an increase in motorized traffic. There are also concerns that vehicles could damage trout streams and sensitive areas of the forest, including wetlands. Also shared by Cook County residents were concerns about invasive species coming in from vehicles using the touring route. In addition, some expressed concern about who will pay for the roads if they’re damaged.

Others, meanwhile, remain steadfast in the fact the roads that would be included in the touring route are already public, and therefore open for anyone to use.

WTIP’s Joe Friedrichs spoke with Ron Potter, the project manager for the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council, for an update on the Border to Border Route.