Minnesota DNR Seeks Comments on 28-Mile North Star Connector in Beltrami County

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is asking Beltrami County residents to weigh in on a proposal that would formally designate a 28-mile North Star Connector along the Moose River Dike Road as part of the state Grant-in-Aid off-highway vehicle (OHV) program. The designation would acknowledge and regulate motorized use that is already occurring on the dike while maintaining current seasonal closures.

The DNR published notice of the proposal on Jan. 15, 2026, alongside a second proposal for a 58-mile Lake of the Woods Connector in Roseau and Lake of the Woods counties. The North Star Connector would map and formalize the existing pattern of motorized traffic on the Moose River Dike, bringing the route into the GIA program framework without changing present-day operations, according to the department. Seasonal closures that are in place now would remain in effect under the proposal.

For local riders and landowners, the proposal is largely about clarity. Formal GIA designation typically sets clear expectations for where OHV use is allowed and may affect signage, enforcement, and eligibility for support tied to the state program. That can matter to residents who use the dike for ATVs, UTVs, or other motorized recreation, as well as to anglers, hunters, and property owners who live near the dike and rely on its seasonal patterns for access and quiet during sensitive periods.

The DNR will accept written comments through 4:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. Submission details and a project map are available on the department's OHV trail proposals webpage. Beltrami County residents who want their perspectives considered should review the map and submit comments before the deadline.

Local officials and community members will likely focus on balancing recreational access and the dike's environmental and landowner impacts. The Moose River Dike is a familiar corridor to many in the county, and the proposal does not propose changing how or when the dike is currently used. Still, formal designation can influence future maintenance priorities and how the route is managed in partnership with the county and state.

This public-comment window is the immediate opportunity for Beltrami County voices to shape how the North Star Connector is recognized and managed. Residents concerned about access, wildlife, maintenance, or neighboring property impacts should consult the DNR's OHV trail proposals webpage for the map and submission instructions and make their views known by Feb. 16.