Ordinance Amendment to SAUK CO. CODE CHAPTER 15 TO ADD ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE (ATV) AND UTILITY-TERRAIN VEHICLE (UTV) CROSSINGS AND ROUTES ON COUNTY HIGHWAYS

BACKGROUND: The State of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has determined that a County Board must approve all ATV/UTV routes individually, and Sauk County has created an Ordinance regulating the uses of All-Terrain Vehicles and Utility-Terrain Vehicles in the County. In order to promote the recreational use of All-Terrain Vehicles and Utility-Terrain Vehicles, Sauk County designated all County Highways as All-Terrain Vehicle and Utility-Terrain Vehicle routes. The Sauk County Highway Committee receives petitions to designate portions of State Highways as All-Terrain Vehicles and Utility-Terrain Vehicles routes.  The petitions are reviewed by the Highway Department and notification is sent to the Municipalities that have proposed county highway routes. Sauk Co. Code §15.003 states that if the Highway Committee recommends approval of a route or crossing, an ordinance approving the decision shall be prepared for consideration by the County Board. No route or crossing is approved until action of the County Board. Any route on a State Highway will also need approval by Wisconsin DOT in order to be opened to ATV/UTV traffic.