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Rusk County discusses ATV/UTV trail funding, snowmobile bridge and a 20-acre planting grant
Summary
Public comment urged prompt pursuit of ATV/UTV user revenue and grant opportunities; parks staff reported completion of a snowmobile bridge, parking-lot expansion planning and a DNR wetlands review of an ATV trail project. The committee accepted a small planting grant to establish trees on about 20 acres.
Committee members and a public commenter discussed ATV/UTV user revenue and timing for grant applications, and Parks and Recreation staff reported recent trail and facility projects and grant activity.
During the public-comment period, resident Don noted statewide ATV/UTV registration numbers and revenue in Wisconsin and urged the county to pursue grant funds to support trail development and maintenance. "If you're gonna apply for this grama money, you got to apply by early April," Don said, urging the committee to act now to capture a competitive funding window.
Mike, presenting the Parks and Recreation report, said construction on the Little Thornapple River snowmobile bridge was completed last week by Eby. He said plans are being drawn to expand the Island Lake North Landing parking lot and that the highway department is providing a cost estimate; the county is considering a Recreation Boating Facilities (RBF) grant to help with that work. Mike also reported that applications for recreational grants are being prepared and that the Department of Natural Resources has requested a more thorough wetlands review for the Bucks Lake ATV trail development project.
On a separate grant item described in the meeting as a treatment/planting award, Mike said the county applied for and was awarded $2,752 to plant approximately 20 acres: white pine on 10 acres on Meadow Dam Road and oak and walnut on 10 acres on North Bucks Lake Road. He said the county plans to use prison labor from a correctional facility for planting and is evaluating seedling sources (DNR, LandCon, BRT or private nurseries). Mike told the committee the check for that award was expected in the mail, and staff asked the committee to accept the funds and allow staff to coordinate finance and planting logistics.
Committee members moved and seconded a motion to accept the recreational grant application and the pop-up planting award; both motions carried by voice vote. Staff were directed to confirm the award check, coordinate with finance on whether a budget amendment is needed, and select seedling procurement and planting labor options.
The record shows a later clarification question from a committee member who asked whether the planting award amount was $27.52 — the transcript records the question, indicating a clerical or auditory discrepancy that staff will need to confirm in paperwork.
The committee also discussed using grant proceeds to support maintenance and possibly bolster the county highway/maintenance capacity, and the parks director said interviews for two seasonal positions will occur next week to support the recreation season.
