AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN THE STATE OF WISCONSIN OFF-HIGHWAY MOTORCYCLE TRAIL GRANT PROGRAM

Background: Sauk County annually participates in maintaining, acquiring, insuring or developing lands for public motorized trail use. In doing so, these public motorized trails are eligible for grant funds through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The program funds 100% of the cost for the acquisition, development, insurance, and maintenance of public trails. Funding for the program comes from registration fees and a portion of tax on gasoline.  Grant applications must be submitted by the local governing body to the DNR.

The Driftless Area Dual Sports Riders contacted the County, requesting assistance with a grant application for a one-two day special event to be held at the Sauk Prairie State Recreation Area in the next year.   Under the concept of re-purposing as described in the Master Plan. Sauk County is facilitating the grant on behalf of the local OHM club by requesting funds to cover the cost of a one-two day special event for Off-Highway Motorcycle riders in the next year. Under the Master Plan guidelines the club requests to re-purpose up to 50% of the established biking, equestrian and public roads within the Sauk Prairie State Recreation Area for the event.

Costs are estimated to be about $1,925 for this event. Sanctioning/Insurance: $450; temporary sign posts (wood lath): $50; temporary direction arrows: $50; misc supplies: $1,125 and LRE staff time $250.  Signs and supplies will be reused at future events. The Master Plan calls for scheduling according to the weather, so an exact date cannot be determined at this time. This grant would be used to reimburse the club for actual expenses incurred as well as return utilized trails to the same condition as before the event. The club will volunteer labor to administer, prepare, staff and clean-up after the event.