Residents in Wisconsin Rapids Will Have the Final Say on Extending ATV/UTV Trails in the City

Monday, February 26th, 2024 -- 12:01 PM

(Mike Leischner, WSAU) Residents in Wisconsin Rapids will have the final say on a proposed ordinance that would extend ATV and UTV trails into the city, allowing those vehicles to operate on some lesser-traveled streets.

According to Mike Leischner with WSAU, Mayor Shane Blaser says after a failed 2-6 vote of the proposal, a group of residents petitioned the council to reconsider the move. When Alders failed to pass it again, that triggered a state law that put the matter to a binding referendum.

“It’ll be settled, one way or another,” said Blaser. Supporters of the measure say it gives families another option for an outdoor activity while providing the opportunity for tourist dollars. Opponents of the measure say it could put young drivers on the road with much larger vehicles such as semis.

Others say there is too much confusion over who can and can’t drive the vehicles. Blaser says he’s looked at it from all sides, and after talking about his concerns with ATV/UTV club members he says he’s become a supporter.

“In the long run, how many are going to be out there? I don’t think it’s going to be a large number. It’s already going on in many [other] communities and on busier streets and it seems to be working. That’s why I continued to support it, that’s how I plan to vote in November, so we’ll see how it goes.” Blaser says he would like to see the state step in, but he doesn’t think that will happen anytime soon.

“I don’t know if they will take it up, or what could cause them to take it up. But, I do think having a standardized set of statutes for everybody is the most important route to go. You can’t have it by municipality; we tried that with cell phones and that was really confusing. I do believe that state statute is behind on this issue,” he added.

The vote will be held in November along with the presidential election. Blaser says the action didn’t come in time to get the matter on the April ballot, and Alders chose not to hold a special election. The April ballot will also determine who follows Blaser into the Mayor’s office.

Alder Matt Zacher will square off against resident Terry Tom Mwis for the seat. Zacher won this month’s primary with nearly 65% of the vote and has the endorsement of Blaser.

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