Horse Trail Pass
The Minnesota Horse Trail Pass became effective January 1, 2007. Minnesota Trail Riders Association supported the Trail Pass Legislation contingent that 100% of the fees would be appropriated to the DNR for trail acquisition, trail and facility development and maintenance, enforcement and rehabilitation of horse trails or trails designated for horse use. There are over 1,000 miles of horse trails in state parks and forests. Limited funding to maintain them or develop new facilities has been a concern for our group. We are hopeful that the trail pass will provide the resources to maintain our current facilities and the development of new trails and campgrounds. We are hopeful that the funds from the Trail Pass will be matched by grant money – that means that every $20 annual trail pass purchased will generate $40 for trail and campground maintenance and improvements. There are many details such as self-registration to be worked out during this first year of the Horse Trail Pass implementation. The Trail Pass can be purchased online or from any deputy registrar's office (car and truck license vendors) or any electronic license vendor who sells hunting and fishing licenses. DNR Representatives will be having a booth at the Central MN Winter Horse Fair April 1st and 2nd at the St. Cloud Civic Center to answer questions and address concerns that users may have. They will also have a booth at the Minnesota Horse Expo in St. Paul and have planned a question and answer presentation. Passes will not be sold at these expos. A Horse Trail Pass Advisory Committee similar to the Ski Pass committee has been organized. The five members, users and trail and riders, have been working closely with the State Administrators and will continue to meet and work with them. Trail Pass Information is published on the DNR Web site.
MTRA will continue to apply for Grants and distribute the funds to public horse facilities in the State just as we have been doing since 1997. There will always be a need for the improvement and development projects such as trail maintenance and campground improvements that we have funded in the past.
Click here to view an informative PDF. |
