State Trails Council ducks the issue … for now
The resolution (discussed and published in the post below) supporting the continued prohibition on ATVs in the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest was tabled today by the Wisconsin Governor’s State Trails Council (STC).
A “dueling” resolution, written by council member and Wisconsin ATV Association President Randy Harden, was also set aside by a majority vote. Only Mike McFadzen, who represents cross-country skiers on the STC and authored the original resolution, voted against tabling the matter.
Had the STC voted on McFadzen’s resolution, I have little doubt it would have passed. Instead, the council chose to put off the acrimonious debate that would have certainly preceded a roll call.
A subcommittee, consisting of McFadzen, Harden and STC Chairman Dave Phillips, will try to work out a compromise resolution. I wouldn’t bank on it, given Harden’s belief that those who oppose ATVs in the NH-AL have a superiority complex.
The STC did resolve to take up the issue again at its next meeting in January – before the Natural Resources Board does the same later that month.
– Joel Patenaude