WORBA: Don’t change State Trails Council to favor the motorized
From the Wisconsin Off-Road Bicycling Association:
Wisconsin has a Governor’s State Trails Council (STC) that advises the DNR regarding the planning, acquisition, development and management of state trails. There are presently nine members on the STC with none of the positions identified as specifically dedicated in the legislation. These members are typically aligned with a specific interest group such as snowmobilers, hikers, bikers, etc., but they are responsible for representing all trail users. There are two members who are aligned with snowmobiles and ATVs respectively, one who represents the DOT, another who represents individuals with disabilities, and the rest are aligned with the “silent sports.”
Assembly Bill 600 would increase the number of STC members to eleven with four of the positions being specifically identified for motorized users – ATVs, snowmobiles, off road motorcycles and off road trucks. This would significantly change the complexion of the Council by giving more representation to motorized users. The motorized users feel that the change is appropriate because the federal Recreational Trail Program (RTP) funds administered through the STC are generated from federal exercise taxes levied on motor fuel sold for use in off-road vehicles. RTP funds are used for both motorized and nonmotorized trails.
Many motorized users do not feel that the STC, as currently constituted, has been attentive enough to their needs. Nonmotorized users point out that their numbers/usage is much higher than motorized users and that the present distribution of STC positions is appropriate.
Mountain bikers have had, and in some areas, continue to have, a history of conflict with and nonacceptance by other trail users. The Wisconsin Off Road Bicycle Association (WORBA) was born out of the need to resolve some of the conflicts and to establish mountain bikers as legitimate and responsible trail users. Mountain bikers can sympathize with the frustration and problems that motorized trail users have in gaining access to recreation sites. However, WORBA does not believe that enlarging the STC and dedicating specific seats to motorized users is appropriate.
Mountain bikers do not have, nor see a need for, a dedicated mountain bike seat on the State Trails Council. Bikers of all ilk – bmx, road, commuter, mountain, cyclocross, etc. – are represented by a single biking representative. Our interests and needs are not the same and may even be in conflict at times, but we do not need separate representation under the current arrangement. Our position might change however, if STC seats should become assigned to specific user groups.
WORBA opposes AB 600 because it provides special privilege to certain user groups to the exclusion of others and therefore is inherently unfair. The RTP fund argument is without merit. The federal government regularly spends tax dollars in ways with which the taxpayers do not agree. Furthermore, it appears that the addition of dedicated positions has the real potential to further polarize the STC and thereby inhibit its ability to function effectively for the best interests of all trail users.
WORBA encourages all members, as well as non-affiliated mountain bikers, to voice their opposition to AB 600. Contact your state representative by referencing www.legis.state.wi.us and tell him/her to vote NO!
You can monitor the progress of AB 600 by registering for notification services on the legislative website. The bill has been forwarded to the Assembly Committee on Rural and Economic Development. Assembly sponsors of this bill include:
Ann Hraychuck, 28th, Balsam Lake, (608-267-2365)
Dan LeMahieu, 59th, Cascade, (888-534-0059)
Joel Kleefisch, 38th, Oconomowoc, (608-266-8551)
Phil Montgomery, 4th, Green Bay, (888-534-0004)
Jeff Mursau, 36th, Crivitz, (608-266-3780)
John Townsend, 52nd, Fond du Lac, (888-529-0052).
Senate sponsors include:
Senator Breske, 12th, Eland, (800-334-8773)
Senator Grothman, 20th, West Bend, (800-662-1227)
Senator Lazich, 28th, New Berlin, (800-334-1442)
Mr. Mursau, one of the Assembly sponsors, is also chair of the Rural and Economic Development committee. Other committee members include:
Jeffery Wood, 67th, Chippewa Falls, (888-534-0067)
Al Ott, 3rd, Forest Junction, (888-534-0003)
Mary Williams, 87th, Medford, (608-266-7506)
John Murtha, 29th, Baldwin, (608-266-7683)
Thomas Nelson, 5th, Kaukauna, (888-534-0005)
Phil Garthwaite, 49th, Dickeyville, (608-266-1170)
Steve Hilgenberg, 51st, Dodgeville, (888-534-0051)
Kim Hixson, 43rd, Whitewater, (608-266-9650)
If you live in the district represented by any of the above be sure to contact him/her, let him or her know you vote in the district, and urge them to vote against the proposed legislation.