Resolution to Authorize Participation in the State of Wisconsin Motorized Recreation Grant Programs for Snowmobile Trails and ATV/UTV Trails

BACKGROUND: Sauk County annually participates in maintaining, acquiring, insuring and developing lands for public motorized trail use and these public motorized trails are eligible for grant funds through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). 100% of these funds are applied to the costs for the acquisition, development, insurance and maintenance of public trails and events. Funding for the programs comes from registration fees, a portion of tax on gasoline and user fees. Grant applications must be submitted by the local governing body to the DNR.

The development, maintenance, grooming and event planning of the snowmobile and all-terrain vehicles/utility task vehicles (ATV/UTV) is managed through contracts with the Association of Sauk County Snowmobile Clubs, Inc., Sauk Ridge Runners, Inc. and Baraboo Bluffs ATV/UTV Club, Inc., attached as Appendix A, Appendix B and Appendix C, respectively.

There are currently 238.3 miles of funded snowmobile trail in Sauk County, funded at $300 per mile, with the grant program totaling $71,490. Currently, there are approximately 6.59 miles of ATV/UTV trail in Sauk County, funded at $1,000 per mile for summer use and $300 per mile for winter use. Additional funding for development of approximately 1 mile of ATV/UTV trail will be applied for in 2026, estimated at $4,750 with the grant program totaling $12,697.

The Sauk County Land Resources and Environment Department (LRE) is primarily responsible for the financial administration of the grant programs. Other responsibilities include trail inspections, maintaining and updating a contract with each club or association, applying for grant funding and verifying that all written and verbal permission from all landowners is obtained. Sauk County’s existing liability insurance policy protects Sauk County’s interest in providing snowmobile and ATV/UTV trails.