MONROE - A petition drive has started to keep open the Cheese Country Trail at its Monroe starting point.
All-terrain vehicle enthusiasts and Monroe businesses would be affected if the railroad takes back part of the trail, Green County ATV Club President Bob Voegeli said.
The Pecatonica Rail Transit Commission (PRTC) voted in July to give back more than four miles of the trail to the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad. The extra miles of track would make room for more traffic on the rail line.
When the railroad gave up the line from Monroe to Mineral Point, which became the Cheese Country Trail, in the late 1980s, it was with the understanding it would get the trail back if it ever expanded rail service. In 2000, the railroad and the Pecatonica Rail Transit Commission signed a contract to that effect.
The loss of four miles to the trail would mean the trail would start to the west of Monroe. The trail now starts near Badger State Ethanol. Voegeli said a change in the starting point would have an impact on Monroe businesses.
"The trail brings a lot of money to Monroe," Voegeli said. "The railroad doesn't bring anything to the table.
"We're the start of it. We're a hub for the Cheese Country Trail and the Badger State Trail."
The petitions, which began to circulate last week, state that a will "completely shut down ATV access to west side Monroe businesses."
It's important that elected officials know that the trail's closure would have adverse affects on local tourism and monetary growth, the petition concludes.
Petitions are available to sign at Dr. Don's Small Engine Clinic, 915 5th Ave. in Monroe, and at The AmericInn Motel and Super 8, Voegeli said.
Petitions also will be available Saturday at Monroe Power Sports, 2820 County DR.
Voegeli plans to present the petition to the PRTC when it meets at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23 at the Green County Courthouse. Voegeli said there are already 250 signatures on the petitions. He's expecting more after Saturday.
"There are a lot of ATV riders who will be at Monroe Power Sports," he said.
The Cheese Country Trail connects Monroe with Mineral Point. In 2005, it was estimated users of the Cheese Country Trail spent about $11 million annually at businesses along the route.
Voegeli said there's been talk of ATV riders and the train sharing the corridor, but he said that isn't realistic.
"There are some areas where it would be too steep to ride," he said.
Voegeli said it's important to keep the trail head in Monroe.
"Without it we (ATV club) might not be able to keep going," he said.
All-terrain vehicle enthusiasts and Monroe businesses would be affected if the railroad takes back part of the trail, Green County ATV Club President Bob Voegeli said.
The Pecatonica Rail Transit Commission (PRTC) voted in July to give back more than four miles of the trail to the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad. The extra miles of track would make room for more traffic on the rail line.
When the railroad gave up the line from Monroe to Mineral Point, which became the Cheese Country Trail, in the late 1980s, it was with the understanding it would get the trail back if it ever expanded rail service. In 2000, the railroad and the Pecatonica Rail Transit Commission signed a contract to that effect.
The loss of four miles to the trail would mean the trail would start to the west of Monroe. The trail now starts near Badger State Ethanol. Voegeli said a change in the starting point would have an impact on Monroe businesses.
"The trail brings a lot of money to Monroe," Voegeli said. "The railroad doesn't bring anything to the table.
"We're the start of it. We're a hub for the Cheese Country Trail and the Badger State Trail."
The petitions, which began to circulate last week, state that a will "completely shut down ATV access to west side Monroe businesses."
It's important that elected officials know that the trail's closure would have adverse affects on local tourism and monetary growth, the petition concludes.
Petitions are available to sign at Dr. Don's Small Engine Clinic, 915 5th Ave. in Monroe, and at The AmericInn Motel and Super 8, Voegeli said.
Petitions also will be available Saturday at Monroe Power Sports, 2820 County DR.
Voegeli plans to present the petition to the PRTC when it meets at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23 at the Green County Courthouse. Voegeli said there are already 250 signatures on the petitions. He's expecting more after Saturday.
"There are a lot of ATV riders who will be at Monroe Power Sports," he said.
The Cheese Country Trail connects Monroe with Mineral Point. In 2005, it was estimated users of the Cheese Country Trail spent about $11 million annually at businesses along the route.
Voegeli said there's been talk of ATV riders and the train sharing the corridor, but he said that isn't realistic.
"There are some areas where it would be too steep to ride," he said.
Voegeli said it's important to keep the trail head in Monroe.
"Without it we (ATV club) might not be able to keep going," he said.