August 2, 2014
PUBLIC MEETING 2 SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department (NDPRD) is leading development of a master plan for Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area (SRA) to describe and illustrate a long-term vision for visitor experience, facility development, resource conservation, and management. The plan will be developed with extensive input from the public and government agencies. Research will be conducted to identify opportunities, constraints and public opinion about preferred recreation experiences. Guiding statements will be defined to assure that proposed actions support the SRA purpose, significance, constraints, desired visitor experience, and optimal resource conditions. Photography, maps and designs will be used to illustrate current conditions and solutions. NDPRD staff will work closely with a consulting team led by Great Outdoors Consultants (GOC) to create the master plan. Robert Peccia and Associates, Red Canoe LLC, and the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) are assisting the GOC team with various aspects of the master plan. The GOC team has extensive experience in planning and designing public lands for outdoor recreation and resource conservation. On June 26 a public meeting was held at the American Legion in Walhalla to review public input to date, guiding statements for the SRA, outcomes of the recreation opinion survey and present 3 draft concepts for the overall master plan. A list of elements for each concept was distributed to provide more details for consideration. All materials provided at the meeting are available on the project webpage. The 18 participants were asked to form 3 small groups and asked to provide feedback on the 3 concepts for management and improvement of Pembina Gorge SRA. Each group was then asked to choose a representative to present comments to all in attendance. The following notes are the topics presented by the small groups. Additional comments can be provided to: Mike Duerre, Manager Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area 701.549.2444
[email protected] More information about the project can be found at: https://sites.google.com/site/pembinagorge/
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https://sites.google.com/site/pembinagorge/
Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area Master Plan
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August 2, 2014
PUBLIC MEETING 2 SUMMARY
SUMMARY OF INPUT FROM PUBLIC MEETING 2 •
Provide more motorized trail opportunities, including single-track motorcycle trails
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Provide single-track motorcycle trails connected to the existing ATV trail
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Provide more hiking trails, including long distance trails
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Funds to maintain and improve Township roads will be needed with increased use
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Consistent maintenance of roads, trails and facilities will be needed
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Law enforcement should be part of increased use of the area
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Provide a visitor center to create a destination and draw people into the Gorge experience
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Need a better SRA headquarters office
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Provide more connections between the recreation trails and Township roads
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Provide canoe access to Texas Crossing on the Pembina River
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Construct a bridge across the Pembina River at Texas Crossing to improve recreation connectivity
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Provide more kayak/canoe opportunities and river access
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Construct a dam and create a new reservoir somewhere on the Pembina River to increase recreation opportunities (note this action is beyond the scope of this project)
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Good idea to provide some shorter snowmobile trail loops near Walhalla
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Make the trail along the Pembina River a multi-use trail including ATVs and snowmobiles
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Combine all 3 concept to create one ideal concept
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There is significant funding available in North Dakota for recreation investment, we should be visionary and plan on the ideal solution for the area
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Provide camping in or near the Gorge and primitive camping along the river
https://sites.google.com/site/pembinagorge/
Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area Master Plan
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