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Council reviews OHV restricted account, considers mechanized trail crew expansion
Summary
DNR staff summarized restricted‑account revenue and ongoing appropriations and proposed adding a mechanized trail crew (TrailCat/mini‑excavator) to speed heavy maintenance on motorized routes; council expressed support and asked for detailed costing.
Division staff presented an overview of the OHV restricted account’s revenue sources and ongoing appropriations May 23 and proposed expanding trail‑crew capacity with a mechanized crew that would use heavy equipment for larger maintenance projects.
Staff recapped revenue flows: yearly incoming revenues include OHV registrations (about $8.2 million cited for registrations as a broad figure by staff), snowmobile fees, a fuel tax allocation, nonresident permit revenue and fines; the division then described how the legislature appropriates portions of that restricted pool for law enforcement, winter grooming, education, trail crews and grants. Staff said the division currently budgets a mix of restricted and other funds to pay for operation and that some appropriations are ongoing while others are project‑based.
The council discussed whether restricted funds are the right source for law‑enforcement wages and other uses. Legal and budget staff said most law‑enforcement costs must be charged against the activities (OHV patrol hours versus boating patrol hours) and that the legislature makes appropriations each year; the council asked staff to keep advocating for general‑fund support to create sustained capacity without depleting restricted program dollars.
Trail‑crew expansion: Wade Allinson (trail‑crew program manager) proposed creating a mechanized trail crew equipped with a small excavator/TrailCat and associated operators, arguing that many motorized trails require heavy equipment to rebuild tread and manage water and that current crews lack the mechanized capacity. Several council members supported the idea and asked staff to return with detailed budget estimates; staff said they could direct a portion of funds that would otherwise lapse toward crew expansion and present a budget request for the next appropriations cycle.
Why it matters: The division’s restricted account funds law enforcement, search‑and‑rescue support, grooming, education and grants; shifting more money to mechanized trail maintenance would accelerate repairs on routes heavily used by motorized vehicles but may reduce funds available for other categories unless new appropriations are secured.
Next steps: Staff will produce cost estimates and a project plan for a mechanized crew, present options for using funds that otherwise might lapse, and return to the council with a formal proposal and budget.
