Two ways to oppose ATV trails in the NH-AL
The time is drawing nigh to defend Wisconsin’s beautiful Northern Highland-American Legion (NH-AL) State Forest from the environmental damage 60 miles of proposed ATV trails would bring. The ATV trail plan will be the subject of three public meetings in mid-September before it is presented to the Natural Resources Board (NRB) for final approval or rejection.
It is crucial that the silent sports community – from mountain bikers and hikers, to cross-country-skiers and campers – make known their concern for the harm ATVs will do to the state forest and their enjoyment of it.
There are two things you can do.
1) Attend one or all three of the public information meetings scheduled from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on …
Mon., Sept. 17, at the Best Western Midway Hotel, Wausau
Tues., Sept. 18, at the St. Germain Community Center, St. Germain
Wed., Sept. 19, at the Manitowish Waters Community Center, Manitowish Waters
While DNR personnel will be on hand to provide information and answer questions, no formal presentation will be made or public testimony recorded. However, it is still important to let DNR officials know in person that you oppose ATV trails in the NH-AL state forest.
2) Send written comments to the DNR. A 30-day comment period will follow the public meetings. The comments received will then be forwarded to the NRB along with the ATV trail plan produced by the NH-AL Sustainable ATV Trail Stakeholders Group. The ATV trail plan itself can be viewed here.
Questions and comments should be directed to:
Steve Petersen, NHAL State Forest Superintendent
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
8770 Highway J, Woodruff, WI 54568
715/358-9225
The NRB is expected to vote on the plan in December or January.
In related news, NH-AL stakeholder group member and ATV opponent Sue Drum of Vilas County will be a guest on the Glenn Moberg’ “Route 51” call-in program on Wisconsin Public Radio Program, Thursday, Sept. 6 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. She will share the hour with Wisconsin ATV Association President Randy Harden and a DNR representative. Tune in to WHBM 90.3 FM out of Park Falls and call in your questions at 800/780-9742.