AUTHORIZING ATV/UTV ROUTES IN SAUK COUNTY PURSUANT TO SAUK CO. CODE § 15.03

ORDINANCE NO. ___ - 2017

AUTHORIZING ATV/UTV ROUTES IN SAUK COUNTY

PURSUANT TO SAUK CO. CODE § 15.03

Background: Sauk Co. Code ch. 15 designates the Highway & Parks Committee as the authority for reviewing and approving ATV/UTV routes. However, the State of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources takes the position that all ATV/UTV routes must be approved by the full county board by ordinance. With regard to this matter, the Highway & Parks Committee has considered this request and determined that it complies with Sauk Co. Code ch. 15 and may be approved by the County Board. Whether to approve these routes is within the discretion of the County Board. Once approved by the County Board, permits must be reapproved every year, but the renewals may be approved by the Highway & Parks Committee.

THE SAUK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

WHEREAS, Sauk County has adopted Sauk Co. Code ch. 15 pursuant to the authority contained in Wis. Stat. §§ 23.33(8) and 23.33(11)(a) and (am); and,

            WHEREAS, the above references statutes and ordinance authorize the Highway & Parks Committee to review requests for the designation of ATV/UTV routes on county trunk highways and state trunk highway bridges, and provides that the Highway & Parks Committee shall consider the request and require an applicant to demonstrate the need for the highway route; a statement of why the highway route is required; that no other practical option exists for the trail other than operation on the highway; and most importantly, that approving the application will be safe for the ATV/UTV riders, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, automobile operators, truck operators and other transportation users; and,

            WHEREAS, your committee has considered the applications to approve the routes attached hereto, and has determined that based upon the criteria contained in Sauk Co. Code § 15.04(2) that the criteria to approve these segments is in the public interest.

            NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the Sauk County Board of Supervisors, met in regular session, that the ATV/UTV routes reflected on the maps attached hereto, be and hereby are approved, and the ordinance is amended to reflect these new routes; and,

            BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the Highway Commissioner shall update the maps designating the ATV/UTV routes and shall monitor the routes for compliance with Sauk Co. Code ch. 15.

For consideration on September 19, 2017.

Respectfully submitted,

HIGHWAY & PARKS COMMITTEE

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TIM MEISTER, Chair                                                  BRIAN PEPER

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HENRY NETZINGER                                                 David Riek

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Richard M. Flint

FISCAL NOTE:  No fiscal impact. Signage is paid by the permittee.

MIS NOTE: No MIS impact.