AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN THE STATE OF WISCONSIN MOTORIZED RECREATION GRANT PROGRAM FOR ATV/UTV TRAILS

Background: Sauk County wishes to participate in maintaining, acquiring, insuring or developing lands for public motorized trail use. In doing so, these public motorized trails are eligible for ATV/UTV grant funds through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). The program funds 100% of the cost for the acquisition, development, insurance, and maintenance of public ATV/UTV trails. Funding for the program comes from ATV/UTV registration fees and a portion of tax on gasoline.

The development and maintenance of the ATV/UTV trails in Sauk County are managed through contracts with the Sauk Ridge Runners, Inc. ATV/UTV Club and the Baraboo Bluffs ATV/UTV Club, Inc. The Land Resources and Environment Department is primarily responsible for the financial administration of the grant program. Other responsibilities include trail inspections, maintaining an updated development and maintenance contract, applying for grant funding, and verifying that all written and verbal permission from all ATV/UTV trail landowners is obtained. Currently, there are approximately 3.7 miles of ATV/UTV trails throughout Sauk County. The trails are funded at approximately $600 per mile for summer use and approximately $100 per mile for winter use, with the grant program totaling approximately $2,500.00. Sauk County’s existing liability insurance policy already protects Sauk County’s interest in providing ATV/UTV trails.