Lafayette-May 6- on Public hearing regarding Minnesota Point Pine Forest SNA

DNR to conduct public hearing on Minnesota Point Pine Forest Scientific and Natural Area

Minnesota Point Pine Forest handout

A public hearing will be conducted by the Department of Natural Resources to receive public comments about access by watercraft, swimming, dogs on leash, and berry-picking at theMinnesota Point Pine Forest SNA Scientific and Natural Area (SNA).  The hearing will be held May 6, 2014, 6-7 pm, or until all testimony is taken, at the Lafayette Community Center, 3026 Minnesota Ave, Duluth, MN 55802.

This public hearing regards potentially changing the designation order establishing the current 18 acre SNA to allow swimming and access by watercraft (with the provision that specific locations may be closed if necessary to protect natural features), dogs on leash, berry-picking and to recognize the existence of the Park Point Nature Trail that traversed the site prior to SNA designation.

At the hearing, a hearing official will record all testimony regarding the uses being proposed at this SNA.   DNR staff will be present to answer questions on these matters.  Written statements on this subject will also be accepted until May 13th, 2014. Testimony may be emailed to sna.dnr@state.mn.us (please put the name of the SNA in the subject line) or sent by U.S. mail to SNA Hearing Officer 1201 East Hwy 2 Grand Rapids, MN 55744 (please specify name of SNA)

Scientific and Natural Areas are state lands established to preserve natural features and rare resources of exceptional scientific and educational value.  Minnesota Point Pine Forest SNA protects unique native pine forest on beach dunes, dune grasses and associated wildlife habitat on the longest freshwater bay-mouth bar in the world, along with its natural shorelines on Lake Superior and the bay. Minnesota Point Pine Forest SNA is open to the public for activities such as hiking, bird-watching, nature photography, and snowshoeing.

Information on resources and location of Minnesota Point Pine Forest SNA can be found athttp://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snas/list.html by choosing it from an alphabetical listing of all SNAs.