Onieda County Trails in Jeopardy

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Eagle River Mike

Member
RHINELANDER - As soon as the snow comes, the snowmobile trails start gearing up for business.

But this year, riders could have less to choose from.

Contracts exist between snowmobile clubs and landowners for the use of that land during snowmobile season.

This year, some snowmobile clubs are working to renew one of those contracts, but there's a hang-up.

County Forester and Recreation Coordinator Eric Rady says before signing a contract, Oneida County's Corporation Council must approve it.

One concern the council has with the current contract involves insurance.

A company out of Atlanta, Georgia owns land west of Highway 51.

Right now, Oneida County's insurance does not cover that land, which would be a problem if an accident occurred.

However, the company's land makes up about one third of the Oneida County Snowmobile Trail System, which could cause other problems if the contract isn't signed.

Rady says, "That would make a huge impact to snowmobile trails and all of that in the Northwoods. And it would make a huge impact to all of, even the surrounding counties."

Rady says another option is for the snowmobile clubs to sign the contract instead of the county.

But Rady says those clubs would have to pay more money for insurance.

There is a meeting to discuss this issue at the Oneida County Courthouse on Wednesday at 10AM.

It is an open session.
 
H

hamburgchf

New member
Lets hope they iron out these problems, this could be serious, we have had some of these problems here in NC Wis in the past and have always been able to clear them up hopefully Oneida County will also. GOOD LUCK
 
E

Eagle River Mike

Member
Trails saved

WJFW Newswatch 12
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Main: General News: Local News


Snowmobile Trail Decision Submitted: 11/03/2010



RHINELANDER - The Oneida County Board's Forestry Committee makes a decision about the fate of several local snowmobile trails.

On Monday we told you about a contract between Oneida County and county landowners for use of most of the snowmobile trails west of Highway 51.

That day, the county was unsure whether or not it could sign the contract.

Wednesday the Forestry Committee has decided to go ahead and sign.

The county boardroom was full Wednesday morning as snowmobilers packed in to hear the committee's decision.

Oneida County's Corporation Council went over the contract, which would exist between the county and the landowners, RMK American Timberland out of Atlanta, Georgia.

Corporation Council expressed concerns, saying the current contract leaves the county liable for all accidents that happen on those trail-lands, even when snowmobiles aren't involved.

The council recommended trying to ammend the contract or let the snowmobile clubs handle it.

But committee chair Gary Baier made a motion to sign the contract as is.

He says, "It's coming at the 12th hour, you know, the trails could possibly open December 1st. It could jeopardize our snowmobile trail system for a large part of the county and that's a huge revenue."

Baier's motion passed 2 to 1.

The chairman says he understands the county could be liable for accidents, but he says they do have insurance.

Baier says 8 other counties are involved with RMK and have signed the exact same contract.

He says the county board will need to continually review the contract to see if anything can be amended.

Baier says he and Oneida County Board Chair Ted Cushing need to sign the contract to make it official.

He says this should happen in the next few days.
 
T

TDH784

New member
I also see that the committee chairman stated that the trails could potentially open on Dec. 1st. With that, I am assuming there are no 'Herd Control Units' in Oneida County that would be included in the Antlerless Hunt on the weekend of Dec. 11th (I am still wondering why they are continuing this when the deer population is below most projects in most areas). Am I correct with my assumption?
 
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