Posted 10/13/06

The DNR is doing their part so now we must do ours to keep the trail open!
See paragraph in Bold red below.

DNR tells landowners to clear trail

Sends certified letters to land owners giving them until Oct. 18 to comply

By RICH ADAMS

Tribune Editor

CHEBOYGAN - Certified letters have been sent to land owners along the Cheboygan-to-Gaylord trail, instructing them to move personal property off the former railroad grade by next Wednesday.

The letters were sent out Tuesday, said Ann Wilson, acting press secretary for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. If personal property is not removed from the right of way by Oct. 18, the DNR will take action to remove it.

We told people that trespasses on the trail must be cleared by Oct. 18, or there is going to be action taken, either confiscation of property or tickets, Wilson said Wednesday.

She said residents along the trail have boat lifts, boats, campers, trailers and other items parked or placed across the former rail grade, which is now a trail for bicyclists, hikers, skiers and, starting this year, snowmobilers.

The section known as the West Mullett Lake trail, a 12-mile stretch between Interstate 75 and Cheboygan, was previously off limits to snowmobilers. But in August DNR Director Rebecca Humphries signed a land-use order lifting the ban on snowmobiles, and now officials are trying to clear the trail before the snow starts flying in ernest. Snowmobilers will be allowed to use the trail after Dec. 1, and will be limited to traveling at 35 mph and the trail will only be open between 8 a.m. and midnight.

It is imperative that all remaining encroachments be removed form this state-owned trail before the snowmobile season begins, given the significant danger posed to trail users by items encroaching on the trail, said Lynne Boyd, chief of the DNR's Forest, Mineral and Fire Management Division.

During the past four years, the DNR has surveyed the trail and posted some of the items that were trespassing. The postings required the items to be removed within 30 days.

We have gone through repeatedly since 2003 notifying people by knocking on their doors or putting stickers on items on the trail. We have had public meetings and posted the area, Wilson explained. There is still stuff that trespasses there.

She added that in the past, many land owners along the trail removed personal property at the urging of the DNR.

She added that the DNR is on good legal grounds setting a deadline for removal.

We are working closely with the attorney general and feel we are on good legal standing, Wilson explained. We have given the land owners lots of opportunity to take care of it on their one. I am sure that there are officers already assigned to begin on the 19th to issue tickets, appearance tickets, initiate civil litigation or start confiscation of property.

She said she hopes those who have property on the trail will cooperate.

We want and appreciate the cooperation of everyone, and encourage land owners to take the opportunity to remove property, she added.

Anyone with questions may call Land Use Specialist Lori Underwood at 989-275-5151, extension 2100.