Current Newsletter and LUV Updates

To:  All Trail Patrol Ambassadors, WATVA members, WATVA Dealers & Associated Businesses

Please spread the word that the Light Utility Vehicle (a.k.a. Side x Side and/or UTV) pilot test program is now underway. Also note that Marinette County also requires a special LUV sticker, those details would be available on that county’s web site or with local county contacts. Also note that state registration is mandatory although no state fee is required at this time. Registration information is in the press release below.

For all “Ride Smart” Trail Patrol Ambassador’s, we have a special Trail Ambassador survey form available to you, designed for those patrollers who wish to patrol in the counties that are participating in the LUV pilot test. Our goal as patrollers is to gather as much data from the traditional ATV riders who interact with the LUV riders, as well as LUV riders themselves and to use this data to help assess the test results.

We can e-mail the surveys or we can mail you hard copies. They are fairly short and easy to use……please let the NOHVIS and Rider Network office know if you want hard copies or electronic ones.

Also see the second release about the ATV Internet Safety Course now being available. This should help alleviate some of the backlog we have with our out of state visitors who have young riders that need safety certification but have a tough time scheduling it because of distances.

Ride Smart – Get Involved & Tell Others to do the same!

Randy

Lightweight Utility Vehicles temporary allowed on ATV trails

Five northern counties to host pilot program

MADISON – Lightweight utility vehicles -- also known as LUVs, UTVs or side by sides -- are now temporarily allowed on certain all-terrain vehicle trails in northern Wisconsin. Lincoln, Washburn, Sawyer, Florence and Marinette counties have elected to enroll in the LUV Pilot Program, which ends on Sept. 30, 2009.

“Members of the public interested in operating LUVs within these counties, need to visit the individual county's Web site or contact the county Forestry Department for all rules and regulations. Each county should have an online registration, which is required for each county you operate in; registration is free. Additional information or trail sticker requirements should also be reviewed with each county,” said Gary Eddy, all-terrain vehicle administrator for the state Department of Natural Resources. “The counties will regulate how and where LUVs will operate on their trails and routes.”

Passed as part of the 2007-09 State Budget, the pilot program is to be administered by the DNR -- in consultation with the Department of Transportation -- to evaluate use and effects of operating lightweight utility vehicles on all-terrain vehicle trails and routes.

“After the pilot program ends, the DNR will review the data gathered during the program, consult with the counties and then forward the results to the legislature,” Eddy said, “If things go well, the DNR will evaluate whether a statewide registration program is appropriate for these vehicles.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Eddy, All-Terrain Vehicle Administrator, (608) 267-7455 or Karl Brooks, DNR Law Enforcement - (608) 266-7820

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Internet ATV safety course now available

MADISON – Operators of all terrain vehicles (ATV) now have a convenient online method to receive ATV Safety Certification through an Internet Web page introduced by the state Department of Natural Resources.

“This should prove very beneficial to young adult operators and out-of-state operators who need ATV Safety Certification," said Gary Eddy, DNR all-terrain vehicle administrator.

All operators at least age 12 and born on or after Jan. 1, 1988 must complete an ATV Safety Certification course in order to operate on public ATV trails and areas in Wisconsin.

“The internet course may not be for everyone. Parents will have to gauge whether an internet course is the best fit for their child. For some students, young and old, a classroom course with instructors and hands-on learning may be a better fit," said Eddy.

Both courses provide basic information on how to operate an ATV safely and responsibly, but they don't make you an expert rider.

The Internet course is available at [www.offroad-ed.com/wi]. Check the DNR’s Upcoming Recreational Safety Education Classes Web page to find classroom courses available around the state.

http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/news/DNRNews_Lookup.asp?id=116#art11

Students must continue to practice what they've learned in their ATV Safety Course and parents need to reinforce what has been taught."

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Eddy, All-Terrain Vehicle Administrator, (608) 267-7455 or Karl Brooks, DNR Law Enforcement - (608) 266-7820

Press Release Contact: Dave Hendricks                                                       
June 1, 2007 612-414-3330
Kevin Ward
207-634-2167
For Immediate Release Ray Bohn
651-452-8506

NATIONAL ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE ALLIANCE WORKSHOP HELD IN MINNESOTA

ST. CLOUD, Mn-- State and national Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) organizations, All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) manufactures, and after-market distributors held an historic workshop during May in St. Cloud, MN to discuss and make recommendations towards the formulation of a national ATV alliance. In addition to discussions on the proposed national ATV alliance, discussions were held on various issues regarding ATV recreation.

ATV associations from Wisconsin, Maine, Michigan, Indiana, North Carolina, and Minnesota participated in the workshop. Several national OHV groups including the Blue Ribbon Coalition, (BRC) National Off-Highway Conservation Council, (NOHVCC) and the All-Terrain Vehicle Association, (ATVA) also participated in the discussion of issues regarding a national ATV Alliance and other items of interest. ATV manufactures Polaris and Arctic Cat also attended as well as after market distributor Tucker Rocky.

The workshop intent was to have states with ATV related recreation issues represented at the early stages of exploring the development of a national ATV alliance. Randy Harden, president of the Wisconsin All-Terrain Vehicle Association (WATVA) said, “There are very few statewide ATV associations in place or operating at a high level of efficiency. That needs to improve. We are only as strong as our weakest link. State ATV associations need to be created or improved to get our “ATV house” in order for greater unity on motorized recreation nationwide.”

Mike Adamek, a representative from the All-Terrain Vehicle Association of Minnesota (ATVAM) said, “The national ATV alliance concept is not intended to replace or duplicate any current efforts related to ATV recreation. National OHV organizations possess very valuable tools and resources, yet those involved with ATV issues may be unaware of the resources available or needs of states or state ATV organizations on ATV related issues.”

This concept builds upon the partnership between the All-Terrain Vehicle Associations of Minnesota and Wisconsin that was forged in January 2006 when the presidents and executive boards of the two groups met to discuss issues regarding ATV recreation.

Both ATV associations have existed for almost 25 years and have implemented a number of proactive solutions when dealing with a multitude of ATV related challenges. This acquired knowledge and experience can be very beneficial when shared with other states and should be experienced nationwide as well.

During the workshop there was concern about the development of another national organization. After discussion and addressing many recommendations, it was concluded a national ATV alliance will significantly improve the climate of ATV usage and generate increased ATV opportunities in states involved in ATV related recreation.

It was also agreed upon that a national ATV alliance should work and participate with the larger OHV organizations and community. ATV users as a whole will continue to benefit and receive value in those relationships which in turn strengthens ATV presence in overall motorized recreation.

The workshop was made possible by the generous support from the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (SVIA), Arctic Cat, Polaris, Yamaha, Tucker Rocky Distributing, National Motorsports & Rider Network, Quadmasters, WATVA, and ATVAM.

A follow-up meeting is scheduled for October 22nd through 25th, 2007 in Minneapolis to establish other business related tasks. State ATV associations interested in attending this important meeting or would like additional information, should contact Dave Hendricks at (612) 414-3330 or by email at davehendricks@frontiernet.net.

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The Emergency Burning Regulation  (EBR) does not include any language to close the Tuscobia Trail or any other State ATV trail in the 7 counties to ATV use. But the message remains we are facing significant fire weather and experienced large fires from a variety of ignition sources last weekend. Fires burned aggressively and were difficult to extinguish. This part of Wisconsin has not received any significant rainfall since April 22 and this appears to be the 3 rd year of below normal precipitation..

The message about ATV trails was only a local add on message to ask for consideration for closing the trails or at minimum, posting the trailheads with notices that the EBR are in effect which restrict outside use of fire.  Some county forests do restrict ATV use seasonally independent of the EBR as well as the Flambeau River State Forest ATV trails do not open until May 15th. Also in the past, Washburn County has closed the Wild Rivers trail when the fire danger index reaches Very High and above, which happened last weekend and at one other time earlier this spring. I would expect this will happen again tomorrow and this weekend with the predicted weather. A number of other county trails are still open but the counties have updated their web sites with notice about the high fire danger.

So, the EBR does not prohibit ATV use on state trails but we are asking for prudent use or delay use till better conditions occur. Unfortunately, only one segment of the Tuscobia traverses a county where the EBR has been implemented (Sawyer). Barron and Price Counties are not included in this restriction on outdoor fires.

The Emergency Burning Restriction order deals solely with use of outdoor fires, i.e. campfires, open burning, smoking, fireworks, etc.

Thanks for helping spread the alert about high fire danger. Most of northern Minnesota is under a Red Flag Warning today and it is likely that weather will spread to us tomorrow.

Michael Luedeke
NOR Forestry Leader
810 W. Maple St.
Spooner, WI 54801
(715) 635-4157
(715) 635-4012  FAX

The following is an email that we received from a group on the way through. At the end of the email is a link to a small power point presentation. If you don't have power point, or the power point viewer you can download the viewer by clicking this link.

Diana,

Greetings from Milwaukee – we made it back from both of our snowmobiling adventures! I’m copying your web designer since you wanted me to send you pictures and text from our snowmobiling trips. Feel free to use any of the photos and text on the PowerPoint, I used PP because it was easy to explain the photos.

 4-Day backpacking weekend from Antigo to Newberry: The coldest weekend in history, I think.

 We headed out from Antigo carrying all our gear on our sleds, looking to go to Newberry and back. We met some nice people along the way, but none better than you Diane. You helped us get out of Dunbar at night and on our way to our next hotel in Escanaba. Each stop along the way, we heard the same thing – “You’re going to ESCANABA???!!! That’s at least 100miles away!” As we got closer to our destination, the distance people told us grew larger. It was kind of funny. The temperature was dropping too. By the time we stopped for a break in Norway, it had reached -40F with wind chill. I don’t have any photos of this trip because our cameras were frozen. The sleds were getting hard to turn, and a wolf crossed the trail. It was quite a night. Some areas were deserted, no sign of life for 30 miles. We made it though! We looped through the UP, not quite reaching Newberry due to some time lost in Escanaba. We had difficulty navigating through there since they close some key trails due to open water. The trails led us back down through Iron Mountain, and on into Crandon. Luck was on our side the entire trip as the ONLY motel operator answering the phone after 10pm stayed late to give us a room at the Four Season’s Motel. It was the best motel room ever. We made it back to Antigo earlier than expected, with plenty of time to trailer up and share the stories from the weekend adventure. And to thaw out. One thing is for sure, if it wasn’t for Diane we would never have made it to our destination that night.

6-Day Adventure to the Arctic Edge.

 Looking to end the snowmobiling season right, we found an adventure tour in Ontario that would take us from the great lakes to the arctic edge and back. All total, 1100 miles of beautiful trails! Beginning in Elliot Lake, we headed through small native towns like Cochrane, Timmins, Fraserdale, Moosonee, and James Bay with a small group of people on a tour with R&S Tours. The experiences are just too vast to recount here. We had 150 mile days as well as 200 – 300 mile days, some trails were vast and open with others being gorgeous windy woods. Gas was scarce in some areas (and about 8$ per gallon). You had to be sure your sled would go 100 miles without fueling up. The landscape was too much for a modest photo to convey. You have to experience it first hand. Once in Cochrane, we boarded the Snow Train and rode 5 hours north. There are no roads, no trails, no other sources of everyday items except what the train brings up. Lunch stops were sometimes soup only, and if you’re lucky you get a choice of two. From Moosonee, we rode the river up to the Arctic Edge with our native guide William, and his brother. The edge of the circle was vast and so quiet. Very cool to see. On the way back, we carved about 60+ miles of trail along the train tracks. It was quite the workout keeping the sleds from sinking in the 5-6’+ of snow, and some sleds did get stuck along the way. We met so many wonderful people, both in our tour group and in the small towns. The lodging was modern, and the nightlife was great. I highly recommend this adventure to anyone who loves to snowmobile! We are definitely hooked on Canada, and are looking forward to a trip next year!

 Thanks again for your help and the support from the folks in your tavern. Dunbar has a great group of people living there. The North Country Inn is definitely on our favorite list of stops. If ever we head out on another adventure, I’ll be sure to send you some stories and pictures!

 Sheri, Sheri, and Kris