October 22, 2020 at 11:18 a.m.
Controversy erupts over snowmobile trail signs
Calhoun: 'We try to bring tourism here and there's always a group trying to tear it down'
Controversy erupts over snowmobile trail signs
Tim Calhoun said he recently received a phone call from the DNR about signs on what's known as the Bearskin Connector Trail.
"There's what we call 'brown board signs,'" he said. "On those brown board signs is how the state has always mandated the trails be signed at intersections. You drive up to one of these brown board signs, you'll see names on it, like 'Alpine Resort' with an arrow."
Calhoun said the DNR advised him all the signs need to come down "because the state does not promote businesses on these trails."
"These signs have been there for 30 years. They've been updated," he added.
Calhoun said the signs were made to DNR specification as far as size, color scheme and placement.
"I wouldn't say the signs are promoting businesses," he said. "It's more directional and safety than anything. When snowmobilers come to the area and they want to find some place or know where they're at or where they're going, these are the boards they look at."
Calhoun said the trail is a funded trail, but he also said he doesn't like to use the term "state funded" when it comes to the revenue sources to help with maintenence costs.
"It's not state funded," he said. "It's funded by the snowmobile program. All the funding comes from (snowmobile) registrations and trail passes and a little bit from the gas tax. None of it comes from the state. It's user-funded."
Calhoun contacted state Assembly woman Mary Felzkowski and Tom Tiffany, who currently holds the Seventh District U.S. Congressional seat to ask for assistance.
Calhoun said Felzkowski told him not do anything and that she would check into the matter.
Tiffany also said he would look into the issue, Calhoun said.
On Wednesday, Felzkowski and some 20 other Northwoods legislators sent a letter to the governor demanding action on this matter.
The situation, a frustrated Calhoun said, has become "insane."
"No one can work together," he said. "It's crazy. As far as snowmobile clubs go, I don't know why I keep doing it, but I do it for these communities. It's not that the signs look bad ... they're beautiful and done according to the state handbook. Everything's done top notch."
The issue
James Yach, the DNR secretary's director for northern Wisconsin, said the situation with the Bearskin Connector trail was the result of a citizen complaint regarding a business that installed their own sign on the trail, directing users to the business.
"Here's the issue," Yach said. "There's been a state statute on the books since 1984."
The statute he referenced is NR 45.05 (3)(f)1 which basically prohibits the promoting of businesses on state property.
"This is nothing that's new and it's for DNR-specific properties," Yach said. "Advertising is simply not allowed. We are aware of some of these instances across the state and we're going to be doing an inventory of our named state trails to see how prevalent this issue is. When we become aware of these issues, we don't go deliberately to seek them out and demand compliance."
However, once the DNR is made aware of situations like the one on the Bearskin Connector trail, its property managers do make attempts to bring signage in compliance with what he described as "our statutory authority," he noted.
Yach acknowledged the signs are done according to DNR specification for size and color scheme.
"You know, we wouldn't have an issue if the sign said 'Food' this way or 'Lodging' this way or 'Gas' this way," he said. "What they do is they specify the names of businesses."
The other problem, Yach said, is it's a motorized trail advertising bars.
"Obviously, this isn't an issue with just about snowmobile trails," he said when asked about a possible resolution to the issue. "We have a statewide trails committee which meets in January and we'll revisit this issue and talk to the user groups of all the trails in the state, reiterate the state statute and emphasize we're looking to get these instances rectified in the future."
Yach said there is no specific timeline.
"However, we do need to address it," he said.
In the meantime, Calhoun said he will be watching.
"We've got to have snowmobiling here," he said. "We try to bring tourism here and there's always a group trying to tear it down. Always. It's just a constant, constant battle and I'm just getting so sick and tired of it.
Brian Jopek can be reached at [email protected].
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