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ATV trails in national forests limited by new rules
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6/10/2004 |
A new ATV policy in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest has people talking. Kate Houlihan has the story.
The new policy prohibits off-trail/off-road ATV use in the forest. The “Open 26” ATV area near Washburn will close. The Chequamegon part of the forest will allow ATV use on its 284 miles of marked trails. The Nicolet side has no marked trails, so there will be no ATV’s allowed there. District Ranger Chris Worth of the Washburn Ranger District says the new policy balances the need of ATV riders with the needs of the forest. “Equally important was the attempt to balance all the many demands and desires that people in Wisconsin have of their national forests for a variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking, silent sports, fishing, as well as ATV riding and snowmobiling.” Forest Recreation Manager Phil Barker says in the past there were two separate plans – one for Chequamegon, one for Nicolet – that were causing riders confusion. “There’s a lot of concern expressed about those two opportunities, although not a whole lot on the off-road, off-trail stuff, but there’s been quite a bit of debate about the Open 26 area and some concern expressed about it. The users are concerned because they’re losing an area that they’ve had the opportunity to use in the past.” Barker says a planned 100 miles of new ATV trail in the forest could alleviate those concerns. Bayfield County Recreation Director Patricia Thornton says those 100 miles could mean a lot. “ATVs are being sold state wide and the fact that Bayfield County is actually 50 percent forested – we have both a lot of county forests and national forest – we’re a prime destination for ATV recreation. And having an additional 100 miles is a real plus.” Thornton says she hasn’t heard any concerns with the new plan. The policy goes into effect June 14.
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