Sounding (the silent sports) Alarm
Causes for concern & action
Feds give nod to ATV'ers
eyeing the Gandy Dancer Burnett and Polk counties in northwestern Wisconsin could allow ATVs on the nonmotorized Gandy Dancer State Trail without penalty, according to a Federal Highway Administration official.
In July the FHWA's legal department concluded that federal funds spent on the trail could not be repaid in order to lift a prohibition against motorized use of the trail. But Tracey McKenney, who heads the
FHWA's Wisconsin division, concluded that "no payback of federal funds is required" because the 12-year-old Gandy Dancer had seen its "useful life" from the FHWA's point of view.
The federal government has gotten its money's worth, McKenney said. Nearly $633,000 in federal Transportation Enhancement (TE) funds have been spent on the 20 miles of the Gandy Dancer trail passing through Burnett and Polk counties. TE grant money is strictly meant for nonmotorized
pathways.
McKenney said the counties could risk losing future TE funding if ATVs are given a green light on the Gandy Dancer. But in an interview, McKenney said, "because we got a lot of years out of the trail, we wouldn't assess additional penalties."
State Rep. Mark Pettis, a Republican whose assembly district includes the trail segment in question, interprets McKenney's position to mean the two counties can "let things roll" if they want to, according to
the Inter-County Leader newspaper. Pettis has long sought a "buyback" of the trail on behalf of ATV riders.
According to the newspaper, McKenney wrote in e-mail messages that the counties erroneously permited ATV use of the Gandy "for many years and were looking to do the right thing by requesting to pay back the federal funds so as not to be in violation of the terms of federal funding."
Until Silent Sports informed her of the fact last July, McKenny said
she was unaware Burnett County had allowed ATVs on the trail until 2003.
Nevertheless, it appears county officials will not face repercussions. Rather, they are being given a pass by the FHWA to once again allow motorized use of the trail which was not designed or designated for such traffic.
McKenney has suggested the Gandy Dancer situation should not set a precedent. But if ATV'ers succeed in motorizing the trail, who's to say other TE-funded rail-trails won't meet the same
fate? If they do, ATV proponents will no longer be able to claim they do not intend to displace hikers and bicyclists from trails intended for their lower-impact use.
The counties would likely have to hold public hearings and amend their comprehensive land-use plans before they could allow ATVs on the Gandy Dancer or any other TE-funded state rail-trail. Time will tell.
Joel Patenaude Sheboygan Co. could
model alternatives Thanks to the hard work of Wisconsin legislators, including Rep. Tom Petri, Sheboygan County was one of four counties nationally to receive $25 million for development of a Non-Motorized Pilot Transportation program. This program is incredibly timely as witnessed by the highest Wisconsin gas prices ever due to the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina and the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
The intent of the program is to develop a network of bikeways and pedestrian
facilities that lead to important destinations that make walking and bicycling competitive with automobile travel for many trips. This includes constructing sidewalks, bike lanes and trails that will help people reach businesses, schools, homes, recreation areas, transit stations and other destinations.
Introducing the nonmotorized mode in balance with personal auto and public transportation brings multiple and substantial benefits. Bicycling and walking are affordable, healthy and
non-polluting modes that strengthen communities in several ways as demonstrated elsewhere.
It must now be convincingly demonstrated in these four communities including the Twin Cities of Minnesota how the program increases the frequency of bicycling and walking, decreases energy use, decreases congestion and promotes better health and a cleaner environment.
In early September, well-intentioned Sheboygan city leaders made a pitch for a $5 million swinging pedestrian bridge
linking the Blue Harbor Resort Complex with the Sheboygan Riverfront. The intent of this program, however, is not to provide more tax dollars to Blue Harbor but to develop alternative nonmotorized transportation benefits. Additionally, most city residents and tourists enjoy the 20-minute walk along the scenic lake and riverfront. On the fiscal side, the 8th Street Bridge is only a few hundred yards away. And Wisconsin residents need the exercise with record amounts of juvenile onset diabetes
and adult obesity.
There are myriad of valuable projects waiting in the wings including:
city of Sheboygan north/south bike connector;
safe bike routes to schools;
safe connectors from communities to the Old Plank Road Trail;
bike and hike connectors linking neighborhoods to businesses, parks and future dog parks;
Sheboygan County connector to the Ozaukee Interurban Trail.
Sheboygan County has incredible natural resources, a vibrant economy, and a skilled and
hardworking population. It is the perfect sized community to become a national leader in non-motorized transportation due in part to the existence of the Old Plank Trail, an east-west trail that almost spans the entire county.
Mike McFadzen Budget cuts could
affect Madison skiers
If the prospect of scant snow this winter isn't worrisome enough for cross-country skiers, the Madison, Wisconsin, crowd faces possibly reduced ski trail funding.
With Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and city council members attempting to cut $4 million from the city's budget, the park division, the provider of trail maintenance, is taking a hit. While the operating budget has yet to be finalized, proposed cuts would combine multiple ski rental facilities into one and cut back grooming
at nonfee ski areas.
Jim Morgan, superintendent of the Madison Parks Division, said cutting trail maintenance was one of the mayor's hardest decisions because of concern that unmaintained trails could compromise public safety.
Madison Nordic Ski Club members worry that fewer rental opportunities will further hinder the skiing community.
Currently ski rentals are available at both Odana Golf Course and Elver Park. This winter the city plans rentals only at Elver Park.
Unfortunately those who will suffer the most from these cuts are participants in the KidSki programs, MadNorSki co-president Walter Meanwell said.
To ensure strong local middle school and high school ski teams, younger skiers must have access to ski instruction and equipment, Meanwell stressed. Over 30 children in fifth grade or below take ski lessons through the Madison Schools and Community Recreation (MSCR) program, taught by MadNorSki instructors. "Parents are sometimes
hesitant to make a $100 or so investment on equipment," Meanwell said, "and so, understandably, many choose to rent."
Keeping kids on skis is not as simple as moving lessons to Elver Park, Meanwell added. Odana Golf Course is significantly flatter than Elver Park thus providing a more ideal setting for children learning to ski.
"Probably a quarter of our team comes from the Madison area," said Megan Evans, co-president of the University of Wisconsin
Nordic Team. "Obviously any changes in the kid's program will eventually trickle into the college program."
The MadNorSki group is now focused on either persuading the city council to keep the Odana Golf Course rental site open or to develop a kid-friendly trail at the otherwise challenging Elver Park.
Both ski club and city officials said they were grateful for their partnership. Jim Morgan said the parks division tries to do as much for skiers as they can
"because the season is so short ... and they have such a high-quality program which adds to our park usage."
Meanwell said he's been pleased with the grooming work the city does for Elver Park races and also the less obvious trail work, like brush removal, that the city workers maintain all year-round.
"Madison tries so hard to promote a fit city," Evans added. "I just hope they remember that when they cut back programs."
Both Tyrol Basin
near Mount Horeb and Blackhawk Ski Area in Middleton allow nordic skiers to train on manmade snow before the real stuff falls.
Sarah Schoville Kyrie
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