Outdoor Notes

As part of the planning process for the future management of Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service invites the public to attend an open house from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday to learn more and share comments and concerns about a draft comprehensive management plan and environmental assessment developed by the refuge.

The open house is scheduled at the Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge maintenance building in Little Falls.

The purpose of the draft plan is to describe how Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge can best be managed over the next 10 to 15 years to conserve habitat for wildlife and plants and connect visitors with the natural environment.

Copies of the CCP and EA, which include long-term management decisions for the Refuge, are available by contacting Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, 19502 Iris Road, Little Falls, MN 56345; or by calling (320) 632-1575. Locally, copies also are available for review at the Little Falls City Library, 108 Third St. N.E., Little Falls; and the Pierz Public Library, 117 Main St. S., Pierz.

Volunteers needed to monitor lakes, rivers

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is seeking volunteers for its Citizen Stream and Citizen Lake Monitoring programs. Volunteers will take to the water this summer to measure the health of Minnesota's rivers and lakes.

Minnesotans who regularly visit or live on a lake or river are encouraged to join the MPCA's citizen monitoring programs. The MPCA provides equipment and training. The monitoring is easy, fun and provides a new way to learn more about the water.

Locally, volunteers are particularly needed in Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison and Wadena counties.

More information about the volunteer monitoring programs, along with lists of specific lakes and rivers that need volunteers, is available on the MPCA's website at www.pca.state.mn.us/cmp or by calling (800) 657-3864.

Nonresidents: Don't forget ATV trail passes

All-terrain vehicle operators who are not Minnesota residents must possess a trail pass when riding on state or grant-in-aid trails as the result of a new law that took effect Jan. 1 and was modified during this year's legislative session. The nonresident ATV State Trail Pass does not need to be displayed on the machine but must be available for inspection when requested by an officer.

The pass is not required if the machine is registered in Minnesota or the vehicle is operated on a portion of an ATV trail that is owned by the driver or the driver's spouse, child, or parent.

ATV operators may purchase one-year nonresident ATV trail passes ($21) online at www.mndnr.gov (click on "buy a license"), by phone (credit card only) at (888) 665-4236 (24 hours a day, seven days a week; there is a $3.50 convenience fee per transaction), in person at more than 1,500 DNR Electronic License System locations throughout Minnesota.