MONROE - Local ATV enthusiasts have encountered a roadblock in proposed plans to expand the trail from Monroe to Brodhead using Town Center Road in Jefferson township.
Green County Supervisor and Tri-County Trails Commission member Sherri Fiduccia said the last 10 years have been dedicated to lengthening the trail which starts in Iowa County and ends at the city of Monroe. It would continue on south to Clarno before cutting along Town Center Road in Jefferson township and further east to end in Brodhead.
The Jefferson town board voted down plans brought to them by the commission more than six years ago, but the issue persists. Board members stipulated that in order for a trail to be set up in their area, landowners along the route must give permission for ATV and UTV riders to use the area.
"They keep saying they are liable, which isn't true," Fiduccia said. "That's just their way of saying no."
Harvey Mandel, a member of the Green County Board of Supervisors, also serves on the Jefferson township board. Mandel said the board reached out to attorneys with the Wisconsin Towns Association, who advised against allowing riders within the township. He added that the ultimate decision has been handed to residents, including a number of local farmers, who have decided to say no.
"Fortunately or unfortunately, however you want to look at it, people have decided not to allow it," Mandel said. "They're paying taxes for that land, they should have a say."
Those on the side favoring the new trails have argued that it should not be determined by people who live along rural roads. Fiduccia said the demand is unreasonable because officials do not ask permission from residents for each vehicle or motorcycle that makes its way along the roads. Their hope is to be given a chance to show that people will be respectful and the visitors from as far away as the Chicago area would greatly increase the economics of the communities such as Clarno, Juda and Brodhead.
The Town of Clarno has already agreed to the proposed ATV route, but the next steps in Jefferson township have stalled plans.
Brodhead specifically has been making active efforts to increase an influx of tourism into the city. Mayor Doug Pinnow said he has been actively following the path of the debate and hopes to be able to bring a trail to Brodhead. Pinnow said Brodhead would also probably have to allow riders on city roads, but would welcome a small window of opportunity, such as a 6-month trial, to highlight the positive impact of opening an ATV trail from Monroe to the city.
"We'll welcome them here, we just have to get them here," he said.
Past evaluations have supported Pinnow's assessment that more ATV riders would bring more income into the area. A study conducted by University of Wisconsin Extension in 2011 highlighted Cheese County Trail usage. Roughly 95 percent were riders of ATVs and UTVs. The evaluators found that almost 30 percent of trail-users were multiple-day users who lodged in local accommodations or camped in the area, and those who stayed spent just more than $100. These people spent more than twice the average amount by all users of the Cheese County Trail. All users were found to spend an average of $180 per visit along the trail on either food, fuel or convenience store items.
The Tri-County Trails Commission met with officials from the city of Brodhead on Monday and pored over three main proposals which could be brought once more to Jefferson township. Pinnow, as well as members of the Sugar River ATV Club, were present for the meeting. Fiduccia said they have tentative plans to be on the township board agenda for the month of February, though nothing is certain until after they have gathered as much sound information as possible in an organized presentation.
"We want to make sure we have all of our ducks in a row," Fiduccia said. "We want to get the word out that this is an economic win."
Those in favor of moderation have seen alternative obstacles beside the ones they have posed. Mandel pointed to state law as an obstacle that also needs to be overcome by the group.
Currently, the state does not allow ATVs or UTVs on any state highways or county roads. He said that poses the biggest challenge for the development of the trail because there are no easy paths to Brodhead while adhering to that law.
However, Fiduccia said it is an achievable goal, with the ATVs most likely only crossing such types of roads with the correctly laid out trail plan - something they already do throughout the state.
"It's not like there's going to be 100 ATVers going by every day," she said.
The commission will meet on Jan. 21 at the Green County Courthouse to discuss more options.
Green County Supervisor and Tri-County Trails Commission member Sherri Fiduccia said the last 10 years have been dedicated to lengthening the trail which starts in Iowa County and ends at the city of Monroe. It would continue on south to Clarno before cutting along Town Center Road in Jefferson township and further east to end in Brodhead.
The Jefferson town board voted down plans brought to them by the commission more than six years ago, but the issue persists. Board members stipulated that in order for a trail to be set up in their area, landowners along the route must give permission for ATV and UTV riders to use the area.
"They keep saying they are liable, which isn't true," Fiduccia said. "That's just their way of saying no."
Harvey Mandel, a member of the Green County Board of Supervisors, also serves on the Jefferson township board. Mandel said the board reached out to attorneys with the Wisconsin Towns Association, who advised against allowing riders within the township. He added that the ultimate decision has been handed to residents, including a number of local farmers, who have decided to say no.
"Fortunately or unfortunately, however you want to look at it, people have decided not to allow it," Mandel said. "They're paying taxes for that land, they should have a say."
Those on the side favoring the new trails have argued that it should not be determined by people who live along rural roads. Fiduccia said the demand is unreasonable because officials do not ask permission from residents for each vehicle or motorcycle that makes its way along the roads. Their hope is to be given a chance to show that people will be respectful and the visitors from as far away as the Chicago area would greatly increase the economics of the communities such as Clarno, Juda and Brodhead.
The Town of Clarno has already agreed to the proposed ATV route, but the next steps in Jefferson township have stalled plans.
Brodhead specifically has been making active efforts to increase an influx of tourism into the city. Mayor Doug Pinnow said he has been actively following the path of the debate and hopes to be able to bring a trail to Brodhead. Pinnow said Brodhead would also probably have to allow riders on city roads, but would welcome a small window of opportunity, such as a 6-month trial, to highlight the positive impact of opening an ATV trail from Monroe to the city.
"We'll welcome them here, we just have to get them here," he said.
Past evaluations have supported Pinnow's assessment that more ATV riders would bring more income into the area. A study conducted by University of Wisconsin Extension in 2011 highlighted Cheese County Trail usage. Roughly 95 percent were riders of ATVs and UTVs. The evaluators found that almost 30 percent of trail-users were multiple-day users who lodged in local accommodations or camped in the area, and those who stayed spent just more than $100. These people spent more than twice the average amount by all users of the Cheese County Trail. All users were found to spend an average of $180 per visit along the trail on either food, fuel or convenience store items.
The Tri-County Trails Commission met with officials from the city of Brodhead on Monday and pored over three main proposals which could be brought once more to Jefferson township. Pinnow, as well as members of the Sugar River ATV Club, were present for the meeting. Fiduccia said they have tentative plans to be on the township board agenda for the month of February, though nothing is certain until after they have gathered as much sound information as possible in an organized presentation.
"We want to make sure we have all of our ducks in a row," Fiduccia said. "We want to get the word out that this is an economic win."
Those in favor of moderation have seen alternative obstacles beside the ones they have posed. Mandel pointed to state law as an obstacle that also needs to be overcome by the group.
Currently, the state does not allow ATVs or UTVs on any state highways or county roads. He said that poses the biggest challenge for the development of the trail because there are no easy paths to Brodhead while adhering to that law.
However, Fiduccia said it is an achievable goal, with the ATVs most likely only crossing such types of roads with the correctly laid out trail plan - something they already do throughout the state.
"It's not like there's going to be 100 ATVers going by every day," she said.
The commission will meet on Jan. 21 at the Green County Courthouse to discuss more options.