|
(from October 9th, 2009 WATVA newsletter)
Lightweight Utility Vehicle (LUV) Test Program Ends
Lightweight utility vehicle test program ends
News Release Published: September
30, 2009 by the Central Office
Contact(s): Gary Eddy, ATV Administrator, (608) 267-7455
DNR to report results
to legislature by January 2010
MADISON – A program to test the use of lightweight utility vehicles on all-terrain
vehicle trails and routes in five northern counties officially ends Sept. 30, 2009.
The pilot program was passed as
part of the 2007-09 Wisconsin State Budget which named the DNR as program administrator. The Department of Natural Resources
will submit a report to the Legislature regarding the overall results of
the program. The report is due to the Legislature by Jan. 1, 2010.
The five counties in the program are Florence, Sawyer,
Marinette, Lincoln and Washburn. Lightweight utility vehicles, or LUVs, also are commonly referred to as "side by sides" or
"utility vehicles."
“It's important for the public to know as of Oct. 1, 2009, it will be illegal to operate
these vehicles on ATV trails
and routes within the five test counties,” said Gary Eddy, DNR ATV Administrator. "The public will have to wait until
the DNR report is submitted. And that the Legislature has time to review that report and decide where they want to go from
there. Any updates to the program will be posted on the Light Utility Vehicle Program page of the DNR Web.
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/cfa/LR/LUV/grants.html
The LUV program was recently discussed at the WATVA VIP Ride held on October 2nd at
the Embarrass River ATV Park. Plenty of machines were on hand to test ride in the very rainy conditions. Overall the ride
was a great success!
|
|
|
| WATVA E-Newsletter
ATV Definition Change - 14" Rims Update
ATV Definition Change Update - (from October 23 2009)
The ATV definition bill (SB
241) is scheduled for an Assembly floor vote on October 27th. (eliminates rim size in definition, allows 50 inch max width
and increases low pressure tires maximum PSI from 6 to 10)
Our guess is the Assembly will do a "voice vote" (based
on the bipartisan support this bill has received) which makes the process even faster and more streamlined on the 27th. Recall
this bill has already passed the senate.
Assuming a positive result, from there the Governor has the option to veto
the bill, sign it or do nothing with it. As I understand the rules, if he does nothing it becomes law after 30 days.
My
bet is he'll sign it for the PR value.....not getting the cart in front of the horse though, we just have to wait out the
floor vote next Tuesday
for the next step in the proceedure.
I thought those following this issue would like a progress report. For clarification
purposes, please read the upper right hand side LC Memo, in the Assembly version the language was added to make sure the law
applied to any ATV width over 50 inches.
=======================================================
Proposal:
SB-241 (09-2803)
Bill History: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2009/data/SB241hst.html
Relating to: modifying the definition of all-terrain vehicle.
SB-241 was referred to the Assembly calendar of
October 27, 2009
Trail Patrol Ambassador Request for Marinette County
For those Trail Ambassador’s
who might be looking for a requested area or riding area to patrol, Trail Patrol Ambassador Jim Vandenack has asked for TPA's
to show a presence on the Near North Trails of Athelstane (in Marinette County), especially north of Benson Lake Road where
the speed limits are 10 MPH due to dust control needs. There was a recent incident and complaint up there, thus for the request
to be out in force in that area. For more information, please contact Jim at woodticklane@hotmail.com
| |
|
|
( From WATVA August newsletter)
|
|
|
WATVA Comments on Preferred
Alternative and Options document for the Chequamegon - Nicolet National Forest Travel Management Project Environmental Assessment
To:
Responsible Official Jeanne
Higgins
Forest Supervisor
1170 4th Avenue S
Park Falls, WI 54552
Re: WATVA Comments on Preferred Alternative
and Options document for the Chequamegon - Nicolet National Forest Travel Management Project Environmental Assessment.
The Wisconsin ATV Association (WATVA)
represents a diverse membership across the entire state. Currently we have 94 + local chapters and their many affiliates;
we serve 146 various businesses that depend on positive ATV economics because those
businesses supply their local communities
with hundreds if not thousands of jobs. Our constituents also include tens of thousands of ATV family members across the state
of Wisconsin who enjoys their chosen form of outdoor recreation, ATV pleasure riding.
WATVA certainly supports properly managed
ATV trail systems and we understand that like other types of outdoor recreational endeavors, the citizens of our state expect
the United States Forest Service to manage our property wisely and fairly. Our members understand public property management
plans need to be adjusted from time to time to accomplish that goal.
The Wisconsin ATV Association considers
the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest to be a very important motorized recreational area and is appreciative of the Forest
Service’s commitment to the legitimate use and access of ATV’s within the Forest system. Motorized trails are
also used to gain access for all kinds of other
recreation including camping, hiking, fishing, hunting and access to
the
forest for the disabled and aging population.
The WATVA wishes to work
with USFS to seek better solutions
in order to maintain the status of the CNNF as being a premier
ATV recreation destination.
Our organization also collaborates
with the other responsible motorized recreational here
in Wisconsin, most recently
meeting with and discussing the
travel management plan with the off highway motorcycle, 4 x
4 truck, snowmobile and
light utility vehicle communities.
We realize each group and their members have different
challenges and considerations
as it applies to this plan.
Comments
• Alternative 1: We
support this alternative because it provides the most motorized recreation use opportunities for both Highway Legal Vehicles
and ATV’s, however we would need to modify Alternative 1 by adding the additional trails and roads, most of which are
in the Eastern Portion of the Forest specified in Alternative 3.
We understand the need to
reduce the amount of unauthorized
roads due to maintenance costs, resource protection and suitability, but we want to keep
the 318 miles of existing ATV trails in tact and don’t want a wholesale reduction in roads for vehicles as offered in
Alternatives #2 and #3.
We would modify Alternative
#1 by adding the provisions of alternative #3 that include the important increase of new ATV trails and roads that are added
to the Eastern portion of the forest and the inclusion of the projects that appear on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
April-June 2008 Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA).
Since many of our organization
members are also hunters, we agree that providing additional seasonal motorized access forest wide from September 15th to
December 31st is an important aspect of Alternative 3 over Alternative 2, however we believe that as more people become aware
of the new closings and opening or roads, the USFS will receive many more requests for additional road openings in future
Motor Vehicle Use Maps. WATVA along with its clubs will continue to work with the USFS to identify and develop more ATV trails
each year.
• Motorized
recreation: If UTV’s (also referred to as LUV) are allowed to be used on Wisconsin all-terrain vehicles trails
and routes with an appropriate registration program, the USFS should include UTV/LUV in the All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) legal
terminology that also includes motorcycles, for use on Forest roads and trails.
• MVUM:
Our understanding is that the MVUM will not show the connecting of existing county ATV trails and routes outside of the forest
or show how the township routes link within the forest. Our concern is that riders will be confused while trail riding and
inadvertently ride where it is not legal. In order to avert this situation, we request that this type of preventative information
be included on the MVUM.
This request would also
be helpful in planning a region-wide trail network that encompasses different ranger districts in NE and NW Wisconsin. The
EA states how many miles of trails exist in surrounding counties but it is how those trails link up with the Forest Service
trails to improve the trail network that would be more important. In networking the CNNF ATV trails across Northern Wisconsin
the Forest Service participation is extremely important and will have a positive economic impact on the local communities.
WATVA appreciates the assistance
of the District Rangers and their willingness to work with the clubs and we hope this will continue. This will result in a
better understanding of county and state trails and allow the CNNF to monitor the trail development in each district.
The Wisconsin ATV Association
and its Chapter Clubs, its many businesses and travel partners that provide an invaluable economic stimulus to the surrounding
counties and areas thank you for this opportunity to present our view of the Preferred Alternatives and Options for the Chequamegon-Nicolet
National Forest Travel Management Environmental Assessment. We welcome the opportunity of partnering with the USFS on a regular
basis for future MVUM’s and to provide enjoyable and safe trails for recreational users into the future.
Please feel free to call
our state headquarters office for any clarification or questions you might have about our input or our comments.
Sincerely,
Randy
Harden Rob McConnell
Randy Harden – President Rob McConnell – Vice President
CC: WATVA Trails Committee
& WATVA Board of Directors. |
To: All Trail Patrol Ambassadors, WATVA members, WATVA Dealers & Associated Businesses
Please spread the word that the
Light Utility Vehicle (a.k.a. Side x Side and/or UTV) pilot test program is now underway. Also note that Marinette County also requires a special LUV
sticker, those details would be available on that county’s web site or with local county contacts. Also note that state
registration is mandatory although no state fee is required at this time. Registration information is in the press release
below.
For all “Ride Smart”
Trail Patrol Ambassador’s, we have a special Trail Ambassador survey form available to you, designed for those patrollers
who wish to patrol in the counties that are participating in the LUV pilot test. Our goal as patrollers is to gather as much
data from the traditional ATV riders who interact with the LUV riders, as well as LUV riders themselves and to use this data
to help assess the test results.
We can e-mail the surveys or
we can mail you hard copies. They are fairly short and easy to use……please let the NOHVIS and Rider Network office
know if you want hard copies or electronic ones.
Also see the second release about
the ATV Internet Safety Course now being available. This should help alleviate some of the backlog we have with our out of
state visitors who have young riders that need safety certification but have a tough time scheduling it because of distances.
Ride Smart – Get Involved
& Tell Others to do the same!
Randy
=======================================================================================
Internet ATV safety course now available
MADISON – Operators of all terrain
vehicles (ATV) now have a convenient online method to receive ATV Safety Certification through an Internet Web page introduced
by the state Department of Natural Resources.
“This should prove very beneficial to young adult
operators and out-of-state operators who need ATV Safety Certification," said Gary Eddy, DNR all-terrain vehicle administrator.
All operators at least age 12 and born on or after Jan.
1, 1988 must complete an ATV Safety Certification course in order to operate on public ATV trails and areas in Wisconsin .
“The internet course may not be for everyone. Parents
will have to gauge whether an internet course is the best fit for their child. For some students, young and old, a classroom
course with instructors and hands-on learning may be a better fit," said Eddy.
Both courses provide basic information on how to operate
an ATV safely and responsibly, but they don't make you an expert rider.
The Internet course is available at [www.offroad-ed.com/wi]. Check the DNR’s Upcoming
Recreational Safety Education Classes Web page to find classroom courses available around the state.
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/news/DNRNews_Lookup.asp?id=116#art11
Students must continue to practice what they've learned
in their ATV Safety Course and parents need to reinforce what has been taught."
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Eddy, All-Terrain
Vehicle Administrator, (608) 267-7455 or Karl Brooks, DNR Law Enforcement - (608) 266-7820
____________________________________________________
To: WATVA
Board of Directors, AWSC President, WCFA, WATVA Clubs, members and interested ATV program advocates
Below
and attached is our response to the NH-AL 12 million dollar corridor proposal sent to Paul De Long and to the Natural Resources
Board.
My special
thanks to the new WATVA Trails Team for pulling all this together.
Randy Harden
=========================================================
From: Randy Harden
Sent:
Thursday, April 10, 2008 7:06 PM
To: DeLong, Paul J - DNR; Steven.Petersen@Wisconsin.gov
Cc: Rob McConnell; Hank Wozniel ; Randy Harden - NOHVIS (randy.harden@nohvis.com)
Subject:
NH-AL WATVA Option B
Hello Paul & Steve:
As we spoke at the last meeting
we had in Madison , attached is our differing point of view and costs related to the 30’ foot corridor proposal that
we consider a forest road versus what our concept of a trail is. We tried to be as brief as possible while making our point
given the time frame we had to work with.
Although we disagree considerably
on this topic, we still appreciate the professionalism and courtesy you have extended to us that our viewpoint can be so noted
in the NRB presentation. I will send a copy of this to the NRB as well. WATVA has not requested to speak at the April meeting
but vice president Rob McConnell will be in attendance, along with some other ATV leaders within WATVA from the Vilas County and surrounding area.
Best Regards,
Randy Harden
President
– Wisconsin ATV Association
Wisconsin ATV Association, Inc.
5531B N. Hwy 42
Sheboygan, WI 53083
Phone (920) 565-7531
www.watva.org
April 10, 2008
To: Paul De Long
Administrator, Division of Forestry Chief State Forester
Re: Different
point of view and alternate trail proposal for NH-AL State
Forest versus road
corridor
The Wisconsin ATV Association (WATVA) board of directors representing 94 local chapters and thousands of members
and ATV owners across Wisconsin, fully support managed ATV
trail systems that include sustainable natural resource attributes. WATVA recognizes the difference between a forest road
project and an ATV trail system and therefore encourages the DNR and Natural Resources Board to pursue an alternate trail
proposal that would display a more acceptable ATV trail experience for the end user while still maintaining resource integrity.
The Wisconsin ATV Association highly suggests an alternative to the DNR Corridor proposal using appropriate
and sustainable design attributes favored by ATV riders. This would
bring the cost estimate in line with existing sustainable trail system now in place throughout Wisconsin. We encourage the DNR and Natural Resources Board to pursue a more detailed assessment
and proceed with developing a specific trail plan.
Design Attributes & Trail Standards
WATVA feels
strongly that the proposed clearing of a 30’ corridor with a 16’ trail tread on 58 miles of gravel is not what
we consider an ATV trail but rather a forest road with all the increased costs associated to build it.
In the Wisconsin DNR publication CF-018 “So you want to build an ATV trail” “The normal straight
or slightly curved trail tread for a two way ATV trail is recommended to be a minimum of 12 feet wide. Past ATV trails have been 10’ wide
but in recent times the suggestion has been increased to 12 feet wide. Certainly a 16’ trail tread exceeds any ATV county
managed trail system that we are aware of.
The 12’ width is used and considered the standard
on most of the approximate 180 miles of State ATV trails and 2,000 miles of successful County maintained trails. The cost of developing the 30’ corridor project along
with materials needed would be considerably less if the 12’ guideline was followed for the NH-AL forest, based on similar
projects completed and supervised by County land managers. Another positive when using the current 12’ standard is that
smaller equipment could be used to construct this type of trail
with a lower impact to the environment. We feel that by following the current
12’ guideline
and design, all aspects of this trail could be effectively managed for enjoyment, safety and sustainability.
Our observation and suggestion is to use hardened trail surfaces where necessary, not on the entire trail –
to identify specific sections (i.e. steep hills & curves,
at intersections) or segments that require more detailed analysis
for spots requiring tread way stabilization in the form of added fill material. The intent of hardening is to determine which
segments of the trails are capable of sustaining ATV travel either as is or with modification and then estimate the cost of
necessary modifications. If soil conditions are unfavorable and trail surfacing
must be ordered – clean washed rock is recommended for hardening of the trail surface. The use of washed rock is recommended
to reduce the introduction of invasive species such as spotted knapweed, during the construction process.
In the DNR proposed trail layout, it incorporates existing motorized travel corridors whenever possible. The
proposed trail does minimize further fragmentation of forestland by locating trails on areas with existing development whenever
possible. However,
wide straight-a-ways of trail promote speed and should be balanced
with more inherently slower challenging technical sections requiring more attention from the rider (well designed, low angle,
short-radius curves are enjoyable and much more sustainable). If the proper challenges
are provided, the desire for speed becomes less pronounced. Slower speeds also produce less noise and dust. Natural, hilly
areas make for the best trails, with long, straight trails found to be boring. Riders
enjoy challenges with a variety of conditions – although not all of the trail should be highly difficult so groups of
riders can stay together.
Managing sightlines is one of the major tools for controlling speed and promoting safety. With a 30’ cleared
corridor, unlimited sightlines can actually pose more of a safety concern than those that are more constricted because they
encourage excessive speed.
“Trail Drainage and Erosion Protection” can be minimized with the use of drainage dips, and
hard bottom drainage catch basins to hold runoff water and prevent silted run-off into local streams
and lakes, trails with side slope bank cuts using stabilized cut and fill slopes is preferred versus the proposed road corridor
with 2 ditches and crowned road surfaces for storm water control. Use short grade dips in the trail surface to allow surface
water to directly run off trail tread versus running into a cut ditch.
Eliminate & Save
We also suggest eliminating Option 1B in the Iron
County segment, this is the wettest section of the trail and excessive
amount of boardwalk is needed to make the connection – this would be a cost savings $4,275,000.
Boardwalk costs in other areas could also be lowered by building them to support the weight of ATV’s rather
than much heavier grooming equipment that would not need to cross them.
Add designated pull-off areas where riders can park and then walk to sensitive areas or overlooks.
Other Resources
We suggest using judgment based on application of procedures and criteria established by a knowledgeable, experienced
trail construction professional with knowledge in soils, vegetation, hydrology, grades and works within the confinements of
the natural environment. One possible contact for cost-effective ways to design,
build, and maintain high-quality trails, would be the Professional Trailbuilders Association.
(www.trailbuilders.org)
In addition, refer to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Manual “Trail Planning, Design, and
Development Guidelines”. It was a result of a multiyear effort and the
goal of the project was to develop a consistent set of guidelines and common language for developing motorized and non-motorized
trails. Extensive attention is given to developing trails that are physically,
ecologically, and economically sustainable. The principles of trail design put
increased emphasis on the art of design in order to make trails more visually appealing and enjoyable. The guidelines provide a comprehensive reference for agencies, trail advocates, and policy makers as they
embark on various types of trail development projects.
The Wisconsin ATV Association and its Chapter Clubs thank you for this opportunity to present our view of a
sustainable ATV trail in the Northern Highland - American Legion forest that attains the attributes that our ATV riders desire.
Sincerely,
Randy Harden
Rob
McConnell
Randy Harden – President Rob
McConnell – Vice President
WATVA Trails Committee
WATVA Board of Directors
________________________________________________________
|
