The DNR would like to add about 19 more miles to its ATV-UTV plan in the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest and public comment is being sought.
The 2005 State Forest master plan allowed ATV access and routes. In 2017, the governing Natural Resources Board approved about 200 miles of ATV-UTV trails in the 236,000-acre state forest which covers Vilas, Oneida and Iron counties.
DNR property planner Phil Rynish says they're in a comment period to ask for input on the additional trails request...
"...We're proposing 19 miles of ATV-UTV routes that would be open on existing DNR roads within the state forest. It's meant to creatve logical connections between open town and county roads that are open to ATV's-UTV's. We're trying to create a system of routes here and using the state forest as connectors where we can facilitate that connection..."
A master plan variance is a change in the use or management of an area that is consistent with the area's land management classification and objectives. Approximately 51 miles of trails have been planned previously, but to date, none have opened. If this variance is approved, approximately 70 total miles of ATV/UTV routes have been planned in the Northern Highland - American Legion State Forest.
The public comment period ends August 16.
The public can submit comments by searching the DNR website, for "property planning" and clicking on the link for Northern Highland - American Legion State Forest (plan variance).
