Whereas the first Light Utility Vehicle (LUV) pilot program was created in 2007 for the purpose of testing trail compatibility, safety factors and general interactions with existing ATV trail use and users.
Whereas the LUV pilot program expired on June 30, 2009, a summary report was gathered thereafter asking input of LUV and ATV users, county and local governments and others affiliated with oversight and management of the two year test. This report was made available to the Wisconsin legislature by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Recreation Enforcement and Education Section.
Whereas the Wisconsin legislature then passed new legislation with a unanimous, bipartisan vote, enacted into law in March of 2010, a new Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) pilot program was made available to all municipalities statewide using existing ATV registration rules and regulations. Known as Wisconsin Act 175, this legislation will expire on June 30, 2012.
Whereas 28 counties, the Village of Tigerton Embarrass River ATV Park, the Tuscobia State Trail, a portion of the Nicolet State Trail, a portion of the Wild Rivers State Trail, the ATV trails on the Flambeau River State Forest, the ATV trails on the Black River State Forest, the ATV trails on the Peshtigo River State Forest and a portion of U.S. Forest Service ATV trail known as the Dead Horse Run, have all chosen to participate in the second, UTV pilot program.
Whereas the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is not required to report the results of the second two year test if the DNR’s evaluation is substantially the same as the first report.
Whereas the statewide UTV pilot program has had largely positive results using ATV trails that can safely and environmentally sustain and accommodate the UTV trail traffic, the newer UTV user demographics have shown beneficial attributes for the more elderly and disabled outdoor recreationalists no longer comfortable or able to enjoy the great outdoors in other ways.
Whereas a permanent UTV registration program would be inclusive of and parallel with the ATV safety course mandatory requirements that include knowledge of state laws and outdoor ethics education as well as a means to collect and distribute a separate trail maintenance self-funding provision, the permanent registration program would enhance the ATV trail economic impacts by sharing trail opportunities where existing trail treads are deemed appropriate by land managers and responsible ATV trail advocates alike.
It is therefore RESOLVED that the Governor’s State Trails Council appeals to the Wisconsin legislature to support passage of a permanent UTV registration program.
Passed the twenty-eighth day of October 2011
by the Governor’s Wisconsin State Trails Council.
Want to check out some businesses that support the UTV program as well? Check out these letters of support: http://www.watva.org/pdf/Ltsofsupport.pdf
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