Carol Lauermann, representing the Saint Augusta Blizzard Busters Snowmobile Club on July 13, 2010 presented a donation of $5,000 to Vince Schaefer, Vice Chair of the Stearns County Board to help refurbish the Plum Creek Bridge near Warner Lake. The bridge is on the extension of the Beaver Island Trail and when re-constructed will accommodate year round trail use in Lynden Township. The trail goal is to connect St. Cloud to Warner Lake County Park.
Lauermann informed the Board that the Stearns County Snowmobile Association provides over 500 miles of snowmobile trails for the public, much of which crosses private property. The 13 member-clubs in the Association develop, maintain and groom the trails and receive some financial help from funds raised through their license and registration fees. The St. Augusta Blizzard Busters already have approved access to the trail way through the DNR Grant-in-Aid Trail Assistance program and wanted to provide a safer crossing of Plum Creek. The Grant-in-Aid Trail program is sponsored annually by the Stearns County Board.
The short-term plan for the trail corridor is a natural surface treadway, mostly on former railroad corridor which Stearns County purchased with trail grant funds. Hiking and mountain biking are other uses planned for the trail. The only motorized use planned is snowmobiling.
Commissioner Lenzmeier of District Four stated that most groups coming to the County Board want money, so it was refreshing to have a group approach the Board to give money.