Governor Scott Walker to sign the UTV program & ATV enhancements (SB 354) on Monday, April 2nd 2012

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker will be signing our UTV bill and ATV enhancement bill (SB 354) into law on Monday April 2nd at the Capital in a closed meeting. We will be on hand to record the presentation for our members to view the following day on our web site and social media sites.

The following list summarizes the bill:

• Creates a new UTV decal
• UTV public registrations will be $30 / 2 years
• UTVs owners will be able to purchase non-resident trail passes
• UTV’s will be included in the ATV snowplowing law
• Tampering with UTV hour meters and odometers / same protection as ATV
• User generated funding for trails
• Maximum passenger & seating requirements
• Definition of the UTV
• Private / agriculture UTV registration will be exactly the same as ATV private registrations
• For public UTV & ATV registrations, in addition to the 2 side decals furnished by DNR, owners will furnish their own rear plate
• Commercial dealers, OEMs, distributors will still register with the DNR but will no longer be issued plates, only decals for a self-provided plate
• A new shorter term, non-resident trail pass will be available for both UTVs and ATVs
• Effective dates for non-resident trail passes and for permanent ATV and UTV registrations decals will change to April 1st from July 1st
• A registration free weekend for ATVs and UTVs is added (first full weekend in June)
• Certain ATVs that do not currently fit the ATV definition can be registered as UTVs
• Same safety and education rules will apply to UTV drivers

Or you can read the full bill here: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/related/proposals/sb354

Douglas County Forestry Trails Opening

The following summer trails under the management of the Douglas County Forestry Department were officially opened for the season at noon on (3/28/12):

Trail 2 (aka Saunders Grade) Schallemeir Road Parking Lot west to the Minnesota Stateline

Trail 3 – CTH T east to Chipmonk Hollow Rd, CTH T West to Trail 41, and the segment from Cranberry Lake Road to Apple Lake Road

Trail 27B – Access Trail into Solon Springs off of Trail 35

Trail 35 (aka Wild Rivers Trail) CTH A/C parking lot south to the Washburn Co. line

Trail 41 – CTH Y south to the Burnett Co. line

Trail 43 (aka Gandy Dancer Trail ) Schallemeir Road Parking Lot west to the Minnesota Stateline

Please be advised that a number of County Forest Roads which are shown as routes on the Summer ATV map have seasonal restrictions closing them until May 1 in order to prevent damage to the road base.

Bayfield County Spring Closure

March 14, 2012

Washburn, WI - Starting Thursday, March 15th a Spring Closure will go into effect for ATV/UTV traffic on all Bayfield County trails. This will help deter damage to the trails which can be very costly and difficult to repair. The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest’s spring closure also goes into effect which prohibits ATVs, motorcycles, horses and bikes from being on the Forest roads and trails. The Tri-County Corridor and Road Routes will remain open for ATV/UTV use during this time. The trails are scheduled to reopen for ATV use on May 1st.

For further information, contact the Bayfield County Tourism & Recreation office at 800-472-6338 or info@travelbayfieldcounty.com.

Clark County ATV Trail Closures

Clark County Forestry and Parks Department announces the annual spring closing of recreational trail systems within Clark County. This annual closing is done to prevent excessive damage to the soft ground.

All Clark County Snowmobile, ATV and Off Road Motorcycle Trails and routes are closed starting on March 15th.

ATV Trails are scheduled to reopen on May 1st. Mountain Bike and Horseback Trails are scheduled to reopen on April 15th. Please be aware that these are tentative planned opening dates – opening will depend on trail conditions.

http://service.govdelivery.com/docs/WICLARK/WICLARK_297/WICLARK_297_20120314_en.pdf

Iron County snowmobile and ATV trails are closed

For immediate posting/publishing:

All Iron County snowmobile and ATV trails are closed effective immediately with the exception of Trail 17 to remain open for ATVs between 9th Ave in Hurley and Manitowish Road in Mercer.

Gates along the trails will be closed.

All other ATV trails will remain closed until break-up conditions recede. ATV trails will open on a trail-by-trail basis as trail conditions dry up and have been inspected for washouts and grade integrity.

Thank you for your cooperation during this seasonal transition time.

Joe Vairus
Forest Administrator

Marinette County ATV Trail Closure

The entire Marinette County ATV Trail System will be closed to all vehicles effective immediately (March 13, 2012) until further notice. This closure is required to protect the soft trail bed from erosion damage caused by ATV’s and other vehicles during spring breakup. ATV trails will re-open when conditions warrant. Another press release will be placed in the paper when the trails are re-opened.


Erik Aleson
Assistant Parks Administrator
Marinette County Parks & Outdoor Recreation Division
1926 Hall Avenue, Room C318
Marinette, WI 54143-1717
Direct line: (715) 732-7531
Parks Office Phone: (715) 732-7530
Fax: 715-732-7533

Burnett County ATV Trails Closed

ALL TRAILS ARE CLOSED
This includes the Frozen Ground ATV/UTV Trail System

All snowmobile/ATV/UTV trails in Burnett County are CLOSED. Trails will remain closed for the season.

Our summer ATV/UTV riding season will begin the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend, (May 25th), provided that we are not under a Red Flag Alert for fire danger.

Kari Letch
Burnett County Forest & Parks