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- ATV Trails by County
- Iron County Loop Proposed ATV trail
- New Sayner Loop trail
- Sayner North Route
- Sayner South Route
- ATV Directive from Master Plan

Appropriate Uses for the Northern Highlands-American Legion State Forest

A crisis is coming for the Northern Highlands-American Legion State Forest (NH-AL).
The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board may shortly establish miles of trails within the
NH-AL for recreational use of All Terrain Vehicles (ATV’s). This decision may come as
soon as spring or early summer of 2007. ATV traffic in the NH-AL is unprecedented.
Soon it may be common.

This state forest, an element of the public domain, should include ATV’s in addition to
existing recreational users, according to ATV supporters. Hikers, skiers, snowshoers,
bicycle riders, hunters, fishing enthusiasts, campers, kayakers, canoeists, licensed on-road
vehicles, and other users may soon have to move over and accept ATV traffic as well.

...Read Full Article


Lower Manitowish River judged “Exceptional River” by DRN Scientists

The Lower Manitowish River has been designated an “Exceptional River” from the bridge on Hiway 51, west of Manitowish Waters, through Benson Lake to the bridge at Hiway 47 in the town of Manitowish. This ranking by DNR scientists’ means this river has very high quality water for recreation and supports a healthy aquatic ecosystem. A bridge for ATVs is proposed to be built over this river at the wayside on Hiway 51 where an abutment from an old bridge still exists. This would threaten damage to the river and diminish the wilderness experience for the many who canoe and kayak this scenic route. -Sue Drum


Hi Sue,

The Manitowish River from the Rest Lake Dam to the Turtle Flambeau Flowage in Vilas County ranked 5 out of 301 river segments ranked in the Upper Chippewa Basin. It's percent rank was 98.67% which is very good. For all streams ranked in the NRI (20 Counties), this section of the Manitowish River downstream of the Rest Lake Dam in Vilas county ranked 21 out of 1494 river segments and had a % rank of 98.66%. The section of the Manitowish River downstream of the Rest Lake Dam in Iron County ranked 18 out of 301 river segments ranked in the Upper Chippewa Basin with a % rank of 94.33%. This section in Iron County had a rank of 55 out of the 1494 river segments ranked in the NRI and a % rank of 96.38%.

What this all means is that the Manitowish River downstream of the Rest Lake Dam to the Turtle Flambeau Flowage ranks very high against all river segments ranked in the Northern Rivers Initiative. 21 and 55 out of 1494 river segments ranked.

Sue, if you need more information on the rankings please let me know.

Sincerely,

Tom Aartila
Upper Chippewa Basin Watershed Supervisor
Park Falls Service Center


TESTIMONY – State Trails Policy Committee – Friday, November 10th, Merrill City Hall

Given by Sue Drum
11384 CTH B
Presque Isle, WI 54557
715-686-2655
drumsa at centurytel.net

There is a need greater than more ATV trails on public land.

"There is a need to preserve and enhance our natural resources: our air, land and water, our wildlife, fish and forests and the ecosystems that sustain all life." Sound familiar? That is the Mission Statement of the WDNR.

Only public land stands in the way of continuous human development and degradation of the land. More than half of Vilas County is public land and so far Vilas is the only northwoods county without ATV trails.

Presently a Stakeholder group is trying to carve ATV trails into the Northern Highland- American Legion State Forest; the forest that protects the headwaters of three major rivers, The Wisconsin, the Manitowish and the Flambeau.

...Read Full Article


STAKEHOLDERS - DNR criteria that should be considered when siting an ATV trail according to the Master Plan

1. Does the trail link to a regional ATV network?

2.Is the trail ecologically sustainable?

1. Is the trail in an existing upland corridor?
2. Is the trail near a high-quality natural community – wetlands, nesting areas, wild resource, scenic area, unique aquatic or terrestrial habitat
3. Are there potential impacts from invasive species, noise and dust on ground nesting birds, other sensitive birds and other wildlife?
4. Is there potential for adverse impacts to adjacent areas – from soil erosion, washouts, stream bank and wetland damage and siltation?
5. Are alternatives available to stream and wetland crossing?

3. Is the trail socially sustainable?

1. Does the trail impact other recreational users – camping, hiking, wildlife viewing, hunting, fishing, canoe/kayak?
2. Will noise and dust impact other users?
3. Can conflict be mitigated?
4. Is there an evaluation/summary of public opinion?

4. Is the trail economically sustainable?

1. What is trail’s impact on local economy?
2. Does it connect to local business?

5. Will a recognized club/unit of government cooperate with DNR to develop, maintain and operate trail?

6. Are there sufficient existing DNR staff and funding available to develop, manage, maintain and monitor trail?

7. Are there a sufficient number of DNR wardens and local police to patrol and enforce trail rules?

8. Are there potential safety problems? -- hazardous terrain, drop-offs, highway crossings?

9. Does the trail provide a quality experience for the user?