Contact: Rep. Steve Sviggum

House Republican Leader

St. Paul, MN 55155

(612) 296-2273

ST. PAUL -- The Stagecoach Trail, a proposed scenic trail through Dodge, Steele and Olmsted counties, has been placed on the Department of Natural Resources list of state trails for future development, Rep. Steve Sviggum announced today.

A proposal for the trail passed the Legislature this session as part of the Environment and Natural Resources Bill and has been signed into law by Gov. Arne Carlson, said Sviggum, who authored the bill.

"I was very pleased that the trail, which many local resident worked hard to develop, passed the Legislature and will be developed by the DNR in the future," Sviggum said.

Planning of the trail was originated by the Dodge County Trails Association. Area residents who testified before the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee on behalf of the bill included Steve Schroeder, Dick Leonard and Dodge County Planner Duane Johnson,

The proposed trail will originate at the Douglas trail near Rochester and follow the Zumbro River Valley to Mantorville and the village of Wasioja, following as closely as possible to the historic stagecoach trail to Wasioja, From there it will extend through Rice Lake State Part to Owatonna.

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