As a member of the State Trails Council - the body that AB600 is aimed at
changing - I just want to correct what appears to be a confusion in the
email.

AB600 does not directly relate to whether ATVs would be allowed on
non-motorized trails. It mandates that additional representation be given to
motorized sports on the Governor's State Trails Council. To see the current
representation, you can check out their web site:
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/parks/trails/council/#members

That main problem with that is that it would tip the balance that currently
exists. Several members of the Council have pointed out that non-motorized
sports are overwhelmingly the majority of users of state trails and parks.
(The highest user groups by far are hikers and people taking pleasure
walks.)

The State Trails Council does not have to power to allow or limit certain
uses anyway. That is the DNR and the Natural Resources Board. However, the
ATV folks, and other motorized users have been pushing very hard for
additional access. Some trails that are currently non-motorized have ATVs on
them, simply because the DNR doesn't have the staff to patrol all the
trails, and local law enforcement turns a blind eye. This happens more in
northern Wisconsin, but it is a dangerous precedent.

There is also a separate proposal to allow ATVs in the Northern
Highlands-American Legion State Forest, a forest that currently doesn't
allow ANY land-based motorized sports off road. That proposal came before
the State Trails Council, and will be considered by the Natural Resources
Board in February. My sources tell me that is unlikely to pass, but the
motorized users are pushing pretty hard.

If you want to send a comment to the State Trails Council, you can email
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
and ask that the message be forwarded to the entire Council.

To send a message to the Natural Resources Board, email
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
and ask that the message be forwarded to the Board.

Robbie
On Jan 4, 2008 10:16 AM, Dar Ward <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> Unfortunately, BFW doesn't seem to be posting to bikies anymore...so much
> for improving communication.
>
> Here is an action alert on AB600.
> -Dar
>
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