IMPORTANT UPDATED INFO 

After the master draft plan for Southwest Savanna Ecological Landscape is released to the public, there will be additional time for public comment. No matter the details of the draft plan, we need to continue to email Savannah and give our input. If the draft plan is in our favor, we need to remain diligent on having our voices heard. The Natural Resources Board will review the draft plan and additional public input to make a final decision. This draft plan is specific to the Southwest Savanna Ecological Landscape which includes the Sugar River and Badger State Bike Trail. 

This is important to remember when sending emails to the DNR. When advocating for the bike trails and trying to prevent ATVs from gaining access to them, stay focused on the critical issues that are important to our cause. Although I understand generalized opinions that people dislike ATVs, expressing an anti-ATV point of view when emailing your concerns will only hurt our cause. It will cast a negative light on what truly matters. ATVs have access to DNR trails across the state so ATVs are not going to disappear. We need to show that we understand this and understand the fact they need a place to ride while advocating that bike trails are not the place for them. 

To be notified right away about any updates about the draft plan, subscribe to receive email updates. 

https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fl/PropertyPlanning/SouthwestSavanna

Keep sending your emails and tell trail supporters to do the same. 

We need to continue to have a strong voice and advocate for the trails, wildlife, nature, and trail users until the final decision is made. 

 

Please share you voice and opinions to: Savannah.Ernzen@wisconsin.gov

The Sugar River State Trail is a 24-mile long, 265-acre, recreation rail trail in Wisconsin. This trail connects four communities: New Glarus, Monticello, Albany, and Brodhead. The limestone-surfaced trail is on an abandoned railroad bed, and is used for bicycling, hiking, and snowmobiles. 

DNR 2018 data shows that there was more than 80,000 attendees of the Sugar River Trail. This directly contradicts the statement from the ATV club that trail use has been down in recent years. Historical data reveals that the average number of attendees from 2002-2018 is more than 62,000.  

An ATV club proposed to Brodhead City Council  to allow ATVs to use this trail since the trail is "not used anyways." The City of Brodhead voted in favor of this resolution without input from citizens. The next step is to get other municipalities to favor this resolution and present a draft to the DNR. The ATV club will then try to convince municipalities along the Badger State Trail to endorse this resolution. 

The DNR has the final say in this decision but the public and trail users have the right to know what is at stake. How will this affect the safety and health of trail users, wildlife, and the environment?

According to Adirondack Council (preserving water, air and wild-lands) "the impact of ATVs include noise disturbance, damage to vegetation, increased runoff, soil erosion, and degradation of water quality. Wildlife also suffer from all of these impacts. Unfortunately, there is extensive evidence that this occurs and the  impact on the habitats of wildlife are even worse."

Please email Savannah.Ernzen@wisconsin.gov with your support of the Sugar River Bike Trail.

ContactBrodhead City Hall to voice your opinion @ 608-897-4018. 

If you live in one of the municipalities along the trail: Monticello, Albany, and New Glarus please contact your city council or village board. 

For more information regarding the Regional Master Plan for Savanna Ecological Landscape, Please Savannah Ernzen at: 608-266-2130

https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/lands/propertyplanning/SouthwestSavanna/

This website will provide updated opportunities for public input. 

FACTS ABOUT THE TRAIL

The trail edge gets mowed at least 4 times per season.

They do as much as they can with the funding and staffing they have available.

The trailhead parking lot and bathrooms receive maintenance at least 1 time per week during the summer season.

The trail head building is scheduled for painting and re-roofing yet this spring.

In the past 3 years, record rainfall and storms caused extensive surface damage and making “normal” maintenance difficult. This damage is repaired as quickly as possible but extensive repairs take time and lot’s of money.

An unauthorized well-meaning but poor performing unidentified individual did thousands of dollar’s worth of damage last year by doing their own version of trail grooming from Brodhead to the covered trail.

Volunteers are allowed to work on the trail. Volunteers MUST perform assigned work on a schedule and are not allowed to free-lance. DNR accepts donations after formal review to make sure the donation is for approved activities.

THIS INFO COMPLETELY CONTRADICTS THE FOLLOWING FROM THE ATV CLUB:

**TRAIL USERS CANT HELP WITH THE TRAIL BUT THE ATV CLUB CAN
**THERE IS NO UP KEEP OF THE TRAIL