Voyageurs National Park Frozen Lake Surface Access and Use Plan
Information from Citizens & the Township
On March 28, 2023, Voyageurs National Park issued a press release announcing that "The National Park Service (NPS) will be developing a Frozen Lake Surface Access and Use Plan at Voyageurs National Park and is seeking your input." Some area businesses and residents received an email from the Park on April 11, 2023, titled "March Community Check-In" that announced the press release and the State of the Park. The letter below was mailed to area property owners on April 29, 2023.
Because the project website has crashed once, the slides from the meetings were not shared there, and to provide additional links to information from the Federal Register and Minnesota statutes, we have created this page to share all documents and direct links to help interested property owners understand this proposal and make any comments you feel appropriate. Links that were not included in the printed letter are active here as well.
Citizen comments must be made individually and uniquely. Any sort of template or "form letter" will be viewed as a single comment by the park per Superintendent DeGross.
YOUR COMMENTS ONLINE OR MAILED MUST BE RECEIVED BY JUNE 3, 2023, or they will not be included in the Park's review process.
Because the project website has crashed once, the slides from the meetings were not shared there, and to provide additional links to information from the Federal Register and Minnesota statutes, we have created this page to share all documents and direct links to help interested property owners understand this proposal and make any comments you feel appropriate. Links that were not included in the printed letter are active here as well.
Citizen comments must be made individually and uniquely. Any sort of template or "form letter" will be viewed as a single comment by the park per Superintendent DeGross.
YOUR COMMENTS ONLINE OR MAILED MUST BE RECEIVED BY JUNE 3, 2023, or they will not be included in the Park's review process.
Related Documents
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Dear Area Landowners, Please read!
You are receiving this letter to make you aware of a recent proposal affecting the use and access of Voyageurs National Park.
On March 28, 2023 Voyageur’s National Park released a
PROPOSED FROZEN LAKE SURFACE ACCESS AND USE PLAN
This Plan was announced via press release post to their website & Facebook page dated March 28, and an email sent April 14 to people signed up to receive news from the park (just 4 days before the meetings, and nearly 5 years after development of the plan was started). Three initial public input meetings were held where Park Superintendent Bob DeGross explained the plan: in-person at Kabetogama Comm. Hall on April 18, virtual zoom meeting on April 19, and in-person meeting at Rainy River College on April 20.
Many individuals, and individuals representing groups, attended one or more of these meetings.
The deadline for initial public comment was extended from May 3 to June 3, 2023, because of overwhelming concern presented during the first meeting that interested people and seasonal owners would not have enough time to research and respond in such a short timeframe. You may respond to the proposal using an online portal or by mailing a written/typed letter. Details of the plan may be found on the VNP website News Releases and their Facebook page (scroll to March 28).
This new FROZEN LAKE SURFACE ACCESS AND USE PLAN WILL IMPACT THE FUTURE OF HOW THE PARK CAN BE ENJOYED. Since the park was established in 1975 snowmobiles have been used on the frozen lake surface and people have been able to fish unhindered. Restrictions regulating fish shelters, use of ATV’s, UTV’s, OHV’s, cars, pickups, tracked vehicles, etc. have not been brought up or been an issue over the nearly 50 years since then.
At the meetings, Superintendent DeGross said he started developing this plan 4-5 years ago shortly after his arrival when he determined that VNP was not in line with general NPS regulations. He stated the plan is needed to “bring us into conformance” with other National Parks, as only snowmobiles are specifically permitted in the park. He also said the frozen waters of the lakes are considered LAND making all vehicle use on the ice governed by 36 CFR §4.10 and that the ice roads are NPS Class IV roads.
The Federal regulations governing National Parks do include a section with special regulations unique to the park (36 CFR §7.33). There have been instances changes and updates to the Federal regulations. Superintendent DeGross would need to be part of making any changes to this regulation, but at this point he seems intent on changing how the park is accessed to be in conformance with general regulations, rather than developing regulations that acknowledge the uniqueness of VNP.
We were told there will be further opportunities for public comment once the plan makes its way through government channels, but this is the only opportunity for public input before that formal process begins. Comments must be individually given either online or in writing to the park. The Kabetogama Lake Association drafted an (opposition) response letter that was passed at the Kabetogama meeting for individuals to optionally sign and submit if they felt the letter reflected their opinion of the plan. We were later told that even though many of these letters were individually signed they would only be considered “one comment” since it was a form letter. You need to write your own comment to be counted! The park is looking for specifics on what you think should be allowed, where, and why. They also want to know how this will affect the economics of the area, the wildlife, and your life personally. What do you personally think should be done?
They also would like input as to park fees. VNP administration is also considering whether to charge fees for things like parking in the parking lots, an ice house fee (as well as potential limitations on where ice houses could be placed), fees for ATVs, UTVs, OHVs, cars, trucks, tracked and other vehicles and proposes to only allow these vehicles on the ice roads. The enabling park legislations allows snowmobile use throughout the frozen surfaces of the park, but does not discuss other vehicle use. The special regulations for the park had a section added to cover airplanes.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO
Please also consider contacting State Representative Roger Skraba, Eighth District Congressman Pete Stauber, the Minnesota DNR and everyone you may know to voice your opinion about what is transpiring in VNP and the Frozen Access Water Plan.
If you have questions, reach out to Superintendent Bob DeGross at office: 218-283-6606, cell 239-293-3643 or email [email protected] with questions or to request copies of the slides from his presentation, but comments must be submitted using one of the 2 options above.
We have a core group of individuals who are working to contact government officials, press/media, DNR, and more. We need your help to flood the park with citizen input. Your voice deserves to be heard!
The June 3rd deadline for commenting is fast approaching. Please act NOW!
Thank You!
Concerned Citizens
You are receiving this letter to make you aware of a recent proposal affecting the use and access of Voyageurs National Park.
On March 28, 2023 Voyageur’s National Park released a
PROPOSED FROZEN LAKE SURFACE ACCESS AND USE PLAN
This Plan was announced via press release post to their website & Facebook page dated March 28, and an email sent April 14 to people signed up to receive news from the park (just 4 days before the meetings, and nearly 5 years after development of the plan was started). Three initial public input meetings were held where Park Superintendent Bob DeGross explained the plan: in-person at Kabetogama Comm. Hall on April 18, virtual zoom meeting on April 19, and in-person meeting at Rainy River College on April 20.
Many individuals, and individuals representing groups, attended one or more of these meetings.
The deadline for initial public comment was extended from May 3 to June 3, 2023, because of overwhelming concern presented during the first meeting that interested people and seasonal owners would not have enough time to research and respond in such a short timeframe. You may respond to the proposal using an online portal or by mailing a written/typed letter. Details of the plan may be found on the VNP website News Releases and their Facebook page (scroll to March 28).
This new FROZEN LAKE SURFACE ACCESS AND USE PLAN WILL IMPACT THE FUTURE OF HOW THE PARK CAN BE ENJOYED. Since the park was established in 1975 snowmobiles have been used on the frozen lake surface and people have been able to fish unhindered. Restrictions regulating fish shelters, use of ATV’s, UTV’s, OHV’s, cars, pickups, tracked vehicles, etc. have not been brought up or been an issue over the nearly 50 years since then.
At the meetings, Superintendent DeGross said he started developing this plan 4-5 years ago shortly after his arrival when he determined that VNP was not in line with general NPS regulations. He stated the plan is needed to “bring us into conformance” with other National Parks, as only snowmobiles are specifically permitted in the park. He also said the frozen waters of the lakes are considered LAND making all vehicle use on the ice governed by 36 CFR §4.10 and that the ice roads are NPS Class IV roads.
The Federal regulations governing National Parks do include a section with special regulations unique to the park (36 CFR §7.33). There have been instances changes and updates to the Federal regulations. Superintendent DeGross would need to be part of making any changes to this regulation, but at this point he seems intent on changing how the park is accessed to be in conformance with general regulations, rather than developing regulations that acknowledge the uniqueness of VNP.
We were told there will be further opportunities for public comment once the plan makes its way through government channels, but this is the only opportunity for public input before that formal process begins. Comments must be individually given either online or in writing to the park. The Kabetogama Lake Association drafted an (opposition) response letter that was passed at the Kabetogama meeting for individuals to optionally sign and submit if they felt the letter reflected their opinion of the plan. We were later told that even though many of these letters were individually signed they would only be considered “one comment” since it was a form letter. You need to write your own comment to be counted! The park is looking for specifics on what you think should be allowed, where, and why. They also want to know how this will affect the economics of the area, the wildlife, and your life personally. What do you personally think should be done?
They also would like input as to park fees. VNP administration is also considering whether to charge fees for things like parking in the parking lots, an ice house fee (as well as potential limitations on where ice houses could be placed), fees for ATVs, UTVs, OHVs, cars, trucks, tracked and other vehicles and proposes to only allow these vehicles on the ice roads. The enabling park legislations allows snowmobile use throughout the frozen surfaces of the park, but does not discuss other vehicle use. The special regulations for the park had a section added to cover airplanes.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO
- Understand that Minnesota statute 84B.061 “These navigable waters include the following: Rainy, Kabetogama, Namakan, Sand Point, and Crane Lakes. Pursuant to applicable federal and state law, navigable waters and their beds are owned by the state. Ownership of and jurisdiction over these waters and their beds has not been ceded by the state, either expressly or implicitly, to the United States.” The statute also states that the State of MN should defend these rights. The DNR disagrees with the Park’s stance on the proposed plan. The park is saying the frozen water is land, and federal regulations apply. The DNR maintains the water is water, and they retain the water rights. Our main contact with the DNR is Shelly Patten. Her work number is 218-328-8783.
- If this plan moves forward as currently proposed, it will be devastating for area businesses as fewer visitors would come to the area in winter (reducing income) and could potentially put some out of business entirely. It will negatively affect shoreline homeowners’ ability to access the lake and property values would likely be impacted. These impacts would be felt over all of our Northland communities from Rainy Lake to Kabetogama, Ash River, Crane Lake and more.
- The more comments submitted, the better to help ensure that park regulations align with resident and visitor use and enjoyment. Please comment on this plan before the June 3 deadline!
- We recommend typing your comments using your favorite word processing tool. Then copy and paste into the online form. The site sometimes gets stuck, and if it does while you are typing, your words will be lost. To submit your comments electronically, go to https://parkplanning.nps.gov/VOYA-frozen. Click the “Open for Comment” link at left, then the Newsletter link, then the “Comment Now” button (the box for comments can expand infinitely large!)
- To comment by US Mail, send written/typed comments to: Frozen Lake Surface Access and Use Plan, Voyageurs National Park, 360 Hwy 11 East, International Falls, MN 56649
Please also consider contacting State Representative Roger Skraba, Eighth District Congressman Pete Stauber, the Minnesota DNR and everyone you may know to voice your opinion about what is transpiring in VNP and the Frozen Access Water Plan.
If you have questions, reach out to Superintendent Bob DeGross at office: 218-283-6606, cell 239-293-3643 or email [email protected] with questions or to request copies of the slides from his presentation, but comments must be submitted using one of the 2 options above.
We have a core group of individuals who are working to contact government officials, press/media, DNR, and more. We need your help to flood the park with citizen input. Your voice deserves to be heard!
The June 3rd deadline for commenting is fast approaching. Please act NOW!
Thank You!
Concerned Citizens