From: Dennis & Carole Landro
[paskin-wi@chibardun.net]
Sent: Wednesday, October 04, 2006 2:58
PM
To: Hubler, Mary
Cc: Linda Olson
Subject: State
Trails Policy Committee
Hello Mary,
I saw the article indicating that you have been
appointed to the Special Committee on State Trails Policy.
Congratulations!!!
My name is Denny Landro and I'm President of the
DUSTY TRAIL FINDERS ATV CLUB INC , headquartered at Poskin Lake
Resort. We have approx 100 members and have been working very hard as a 4 year
old club to extend our trail network. We currently have 22 land owners who
have allowed us to cross their land, which has provided trails,
reducing the numbers of roads (routes) we have to ride.
As you are well aware, ATVers spend over $300
MILLION dollars a year in Wisconsin so you are correct when you say
that TRAILS ARE A RESOURCE !
We have utilized the Wisconsin ATV GRANT FUNDS to
build bridges, open new trails and improve existing trails. We recently came to
an empass when trying to get approval to cross 1200 acres of State (DNR) land,
to continue our trails from Hwy 63 in Barron County to the Staples Lake
area. There are no east - west roads that can be used. I rode through the
Loon Lake area with 2 DNR personnel and found that there are existing
logging trails that would be very sustainable. It seems that since the land was
originally purchased with some fund from US FISH AND WILDLIFE FUNDS, no
one else can use the land. Fifty years ago, I don't think anyone was thinkinking
about ATVs. Now it's time to take a fresh look at the
possibilities.
When I attend Wisconsin ATV Council meetings to
obtain GRANT MONIES, this committee, appointed by the Governor, wants us to get
more trails. Yet the state has done nothing to help us, with only 2 or 3 miles
of traisl on State DNR land. Since the moneis available come from registration
and some money from fuel taxes, we have a self funded program. Doesn't seem
logical that the STATE would work with ATV Clubs ao provide more off road
opportunities? AS you said, TRAILS ARE A RESOURCE !
A group of us went ot Minnesota last
week end and rode some of the their trails. They seem to understand
the importance of providing trails to ride. They opened up 1200 acres of mines
for intensive use around Gilbert. Then we went to Silver Bay and rode on 68
miles of State Land.The motels we stayed at were filled with ATVs so I guess
that proves that lots of money is being spend on the sport. As the saying goes,
YOU BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME !
The article I read mentioned the TUSCOBIA TRAIL.
The unfortunate thing is that a 14 mile stretch is only for walking, from the
Wild River to Birchwood. Snowmobilers have access to the trail in
the winter, when no one wants to walk. There should be a compatible way to allow
ATVers to use that 14 miles, along with walkers and other outdoor
sports.
If there are any committees formed to expand ATV
use , I would appreciate an opportunity to join the effort to find ways to
expand the trail systems in Wisconsin.Thanks you your time
Denny 1-715-357-6234