Wisconsin

Recent Legislative Action

2009

SB264: Expands law prohibiting ORV trespass to include all lands not just private to allow wardens and law enforcement the ability to enforce ORV trespass violations on all lands (9/17/09: Hearings held in Transportation Committee)

AB377: Makes killing an animal on an ORV, snowmobile or other motorized vehicle a Class 1 Felony which carries a penalty of up to 3 1/2 years of probation or prison, a $10,000 fine and a mental health assessment. Those who commit such crimes using snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, motorboats or personal watercraft could have their registrations for such vehicles suspended or permanently revoked (9/23/09: Public hearing held)

2008

SB185: Requires titles for all ORVs, increases penalties for private property trespass, and increases ORV-related fees (3/21/08: Failed to pass through State Senate)

AB965: Requires that operators under the age of 21 have a blood alcohol content of 0.0. (3/21/08: Rejected by the Tourism, Recreation and State Properties Committee)

Community Voices Demand Action in Wisconsin

Wisconsinites

• "Some ATV riders appear to be purposely spinning their tires and digging into softer trail surfaces at stop signs, creating ruts and hazards. Because of the actions of a few, we will be less apt to open the ATV trail in marginal conditions, which we are currently in." -- Bill Ehlenbeck, parks and trails manager for Dodge County, "Trails still closed in Dodge County", The Reporter (12/3/08)

• "The biggest problem seen on Wood County forestland is illegal use of all-terrain vehicles for hunting...It's a sad commentary that it gets worse each season...Wood County has received complaints from people who are concerned about more traditional hunters confronting people violating regulations. Angry exchanges among people carrying guns is not a good combination, Schubert said.” -- Frederick Schubert, Wood County Forest Administrator, "Central Wisconsin area officials hope hunters will follow regulations during hunting season this year", Central Wisconsin Sunday (10/19/08)

• "While many users of this ATV route have done so responsibly, in my experience, many have not. The most common complaints are riding at very high speeds, often in residential areas, and creating excessive noise. State law requires ATVs to slow to 10 mph when within 150 feet of any home. Some fail to stop at stop signs and dangerous "stunt riding" is common. These reckless practices have no place on the roads we all use. Still others feel that it is acceptable to 'ride to the route' overland from other towns and counties or invite themselves onto connecting town roads. Equally serious, Alliant Energy reports that ATV operators have been observed removing the copper grounding wires from their power poles in the town of Auburndale. Neither the DNR nor the Wood County Sheriff's Department is staffed to provide adequate oversight of this activity resulting in a frontier atmosphere." -- Editor of The Marshfield News, "ATV practices endanger residents", The Marshfield News (9/4/08)

• "It just drives me nuts all day long...The reason we moved out here was the quiet." -- Dave Goss, Brookfrield resident, "Dirt bike ban proposed", Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (5/28/08)

• "What's most worrisome is what the survey revealed about 65 percent of trail-riding ATVers in this state: That's the percentage that admitted they prefer to ride off of trails designed specifically for them, regardless of the legality. The temptation to leave the trail would be particularly strong for ATVers on a short straightaway, such as the one from Seymour to New London, because it doesn't connect with any other ATV trails. It's no wonder then that several owners of adjacent land want the county to just say no to ATVs on the rail-trail. The Outagamie County Snowmobile Alliance also opposes ATVs on the trail out of fear ATV trespassing will incite private landowners to ban all motorsports enthusiasts from crossing their property." -- Joel Patenaude, Waupaca, Community Columnist, "Trail not meant for both ATVs, silent sports", The Post-Crescent (1/13/08)

• "This is causing more damage to the landscape, hunter conflict, and eroding the experience of non-ATV users. In the coming seasons, efforts will be made to increase enforcement, use the media to emphasize the ATV regulations prior to deer season and perhaps include certain ATV laws in the deer hunting regulation pamphlet." -- Randy Stark, Chief Warden, "Hunters put forth less effort, DNR says", Green Bay Press-Gazette (12/13/07)

• "The last thing we need is for a pedestrian to be struck, injured or killed by a snowmobile or ATV on our recreation trail." -- Mike Matoushek, Dodge County Sheriff's Department recreation enforcement officer, "Dodge County authorities issue warnings to ATV, snowmobile trail users", The Reporter (1/30/08)

• "I purchased my land six years ago. I put up that money so I could go out and enjoy nature. How many of the ATV-ers and others are willing to put up $40,000 so they can enjoy nature?" -- Dale Deno, Black Creek landowner, "Property owners against ATVs and 'silent sports' on trail", The Post-Crescent (12/19/07)

Recent ORV-Related Media Coverage