On October 10, 2013 the Ministry of Natural Resources held a Public Open House to discuss the trail network located on the Tarentorus Fish Culture Station property in Sault Ste. Marie.
At the open house the MNR officials stated that the authorized trails, including the Red Pine ski trail, do not encroach on sensitive areas and are not of concern to them. Their main concern was protecting the fish culture station’s water supply from potential threats as a result of the development of unauthorized trails.
MNR recently provided an update for citizens who expressed an interest in keeping informed on the progress of the planning project for the trails.
On Wednesday, November 20, 2013, the MNR met with representatives of the three clubs which have been most heavily involved in the management and use of the trails to date – the Kinsmen Club, the Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club and the Sault Cycling Club – to review the planning process that has been developed by MNR. All three clubs have agreed to participate on the Planning Team that is tasked with developing options for a sustainable authorized trail network. The first planning team meeting is expected to take place in January, 2014.
Once the options have been developed, likely in late February or March, the MNR will provide an opportunity for the public to review and comment on the options through a formal Class Environmental Assessment process. The general public will be notified of the launch of the Class EA process through advertisements in local newspapers.