Nearly 70 Attend MnDOT Public Meeting to Voice Concerns Over Proposed Tree Clearing Along Highway 34

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – Residents voiced their concerns about a proposed tree clearing along Highway 34 to MnDOT, Wednesday during a virtual public meeting.

MnDOT plans to clear portions of trees along the Lakes Country Scenic Byway before beginning a resurfacing project on Highway 34, from Becker County Road 29 to west of Osage.

Trees will be removed 65 feet from both sides of the center of Highway 34 in what’s called a “clear zone” where an out-of-control vehicle can traverse safely. Additionally selective logging will be done on portions of the road to allow better penetration of the sun on the roadway which helps with snow and ice melt.

Many Lakes Area residents, conservation and tourism groups contend the project would significantly alter the character of one of the most scenic drives in Minnesota.

Witt Corwin, who participated in the virtual public meeting said he fears a large swath of trees will be removed in the most beautiful section of the road, “I’ve been on this road upwards of 70 years, I went back yesterday with snow shoes and a measuring tape to get a handle on what the distances are – I wish it was 65 feet, but I typically measured 40 feet – which tells me a very wide swath of trees are going to be destroyed. It’s always impressed me that this is a highway that you drive down and feel like you’re in the trees.”

Nearly 70 people attended the meeting, Wednesday and nearly all the comments directed at MnDOT were concerned with the number of trees that may need to be cut or the potential damage of meadows of Lady Slippers that highlight portions of the drive. MnDOT, however suggested they had worked with a number of groups and individuals to reduce the removal of trees in some locations to make compromises to achieve everyone’s goals and felt damage to Lady Slippers would be minimal.

“They made a compromise of no tree cutting from 150′-250′ and lessened row cutting by 10%. Still, 3/4 of the trees in the row are planned to be cut. This did not meet stakeholder goals,” said Cleone Stewart, Director at Detroit Lakes Tourism Bureau and Regional Chamber of Commerce.

For a full breakdown of the project visit the MnDOT project website.