ATVs outnumber snowmobiles;
it's time for corridor trails

Dear Editor:

I’m responding to the anti-all-terrain vehicle (ATV) people.

Noise is constantly brought up. For instance, the antis say that bicyclers come here for peace and quiet. None of the antis want to mention the fact that the paved bike trails are right next to highways. Is that what they call peace and quiet — being right next to a highway? By the way, ATVs have Department of Natural Resources (DNR) noise restrictions.

Some try to say that the ATVs will tear up the trails. Those people need to go look at these trails right now. Most are torn up with ruts and holes from four-wheel drive trucks. The ATV clubs will be required by the state and county to maintain these trails.

Then the antis love to pull out the subject of the “referendum,” many claiming that ATVs were “voted out of Vilas County.” None of the antis mention the fact that the referendum was nonbinding.

The wording of the referendum was completely unfair toward ATVs. I believe this was done on purpose by certain county board members, knowing the vote would go against ATVs. The way it was worded gave unsuspecting people the impression that if the vote went in favor of ATVs, that ATVs would be running all over Vilas County.

Had that referendum truly represented what the ATV clubs are looking for — a carefully planned corridor trail system — one can only wonder how the vote would have gone.

By the way, in no uncertain words, ATVs were not voted out of Vilas County. Because of the referendum, the county board upheld a resolution, which already existed, that ATVs would not be allowed on Vilas County-owned land. The whole thing was designed to go against ATVs and it never should have happened!

The ATV clubs of Vilas County are working on the responsible development of a corridor trail system. “Responsible” means we are minimizing user conflicts. We are looking for high ground for our trails.

The area of the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest which we are seeking to use is a miniscule fraction of the entire forest, leaving hundreds of thousands of acres for plenty of opportunity for silent sports and other activities.

We, the ATV clubs of Vilas County, want this trail system to be a well-cared-for model trail system for the rest of the state to follow. We are ready to patrol and maintain them (trails).

Today’s ATVs are safer than ever. They are quieter that almost any lawn mower. Speaking of safety, the ATV clubs of Vilas County have already held many ATV safety courses teaching young and old alike the responsible and safe way to enjoy the sport. There will be many more safety classes to come.

The ATV clubs of Vilas County have nothing against other user groups. I have even personally donated crushed granite to the Lions Club for a picnic area used by the bicyclers along Highway N in Sayner.

Yes, some negative comments have been made by me about bicycles in the past. We had thought all bicyclers were against ATVs, but in fact, we have found out not that many are against us. It was just a matter of an anti-ATVer getting one user group fighting against the other when there was really no argument.

Folks, ATVs are here, and they are here to stay. Registered ATVs now outnumber registered snowmobiles. With these rapidly growing numbers, if we do not develop a place for ATVs to ride — such as these corridor trails — our fear is that too many will ride anyway.

We are strongly against this renegade riding, but without trails, we have no way to control it and can do nothing to stop it. Law enforcement, you say? Developing ATV trails in Vilas will make additional funds available for additional DNR law enforcement.

The members of the Vilas County ATV clubs enjoy peace and quiet, too. None of us would ever want to see ATVs in every section of the NHAL forest. We all enjoy nature as much as anyone.

We all pay taxes in Vilas County, in one way or another. We are all part owners of that forest. Let’s all enjoy it together! It can be done!

Sincerely,

George Schroeder

Vilas County resident

and landowner

President of St. Germain

ATV Club Inc.