Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Southern Region
3911 Fish Hatchery Road
Fitchburg, WI 53711
Dana et al.,
Here are my comments regarding the Draft Badger State Trail Master Plan.
I strongly recommend that motorized vehicles (with the exception of snowmobiling) not be permitted on the trail. Warm weather motorized use of the trail will make the trail unsafe for non- motorized users. The damage by motorized vehicles to the limestone-screening trail will also render it impassable for bicyclists. These are the same problematic conditions that currently exist on the Cheese Country Trail which extends from Monroe to Mineral Point and the spur trail that extends from Calamine to Belmont. The conditions are bad enough that these trails are rarely used by bicyclists and they are not shown on the official State Bicycle Map. Monroe already has their Cheese Country Trail for ATV's. Please retain the Badger Trail ("the other Monroe trail") for non-motorized uses.
Regarding snowmobiling, at a minimum I recommend that they not be allowed on the the city of Fitchburg portion of the Trail.
The section from Madison (where the Southwest Path) ends to Purcell Road (where there is some residential development) should be designed to a minimum 10-foot paved width to accommodate transportation biking into the Madison Urbanized Area. The existing Madison Path is 10-foot wide where it ends. Long-term this may not be wide enough. I also encourage the DNR to work with the City of Fitchburg to have this section plowed in Winter for all-season commuting. Perhaps it could be agreed that the City of Fitchburg maintain this section year-round.
Further I recommend that no Trail Pass be required on the section from Madison to Purcell Road, especially if Fitchburg maintains it. Madison does not charge fees on their section of the existing Badger Trail, which is known as the Southwest Commuter Path within the City. Similar arrangements could be made in other communities, Monroe in particular.
Thank you for considerations.
Michael W. Rewey, P.E.
5522 Comanche Way
Madison, WI 53704
Cell - 608-698-6673
Email - [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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