The public will have a few more chances to give input before ATVs are allowed on the Woodboro Lakes Wildlife Area near Rhinelander.
The state Natural Resources Board has postponed a decision on ATV access for a specific trail, opting instead to first develop a master plan for the property.
DNR property planner Tom Watkins says that will allow managers to take a broader look at how the property should be used long term.
“What’s going to happen on the property as far as management goes, and public use opportunities. So it’s a process of trying to balance the needs of resource management, as well as the needs of the various user groups that want to use the property.”
The Nokomis ATV Club has proposed to build and maintain a three-quarter mile ATV trail on a route that’s currently open only to foot traffic and snowmobiles.
Watkins says a DNR feasibility study that assessed the proposal will provide a lot of the groundwork in preparing for a master plan.
“Unlike some other projects where we’re starting at square one, we’re a little bit down the road here. So I’m thinking this planning process is going to go fairly quickly.”
There will likely be a public input session early next year, with a draft of the master plan set to come out by early summer.
