Menu
Log in

Chicago Whitewater Association

Chicago Whitewater Association is a 501(c) non-profit organization. Chicago, Illinois

Urgent! ATV/UTV impacts on the Wolf River

01/31/2018 1:14 PM | Tom Costello (Administrator)

To all paddlers, anglers and friends of the Wolf River, it might be the dead of winter, with the river locked in ice but the river needs your help.  Your voices need to be heard in expression of the value of one of the most important whitewater resources in the Midwest.  ATV/UTV clubs in Langlade and Oconto counties, in northeast Wisconsin, are quietly but assertively pressing for an amendment to the Upper Wolf River Fishery Area management plan which would provide for the construction of an ATV/UTV bridge near the State Highway 64 bridge at Langlade.  The bridge and trail would cross where section II of the Wolf ends and section III begins.  This is a crucial access point, an ideal take-out for sec II and put-in for sec III.  A  variety of river users already share space on state-owned land at this site, with a limited amount of space for parking and no practical options for expansion.  Those of you who are familiar with this site already know the impact that just two or three trucks, with trailers built to haul 4 or 6 ATVs, would have on access for all other river users.  Throw in a group of operators, exhaust fumes and noise, and the situation quickly becomes untenable for groups who have enjoyed the use of the river for many decades.  There is some concern the ultimate goal of many members of the local ATV/UTV clubs is to displace anyone who would stand in the way of unlimited motorized expansion in the area.

It is imperative that all who value the Wolf and access at Highway 64 take the time to download this form or going to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and make yourselves heard by going to the online form where you'll find a survey and fields for submitting comments.  Keeping in mind two things: printed, personalized comments expressing your value for continued access as it exists typically carry greater weight than online submissions, and, these submissions need to be received by Feb. 4.

Thanks for your support

Comments

  • 04/02/2018 8:37 AM | Tom Costello (Administrator)
    I sent this info to Andy Cocallas but wanted to send it to you as well, hoping to get as many responses as possible and as soon as possible. The ATVers are still pushing hard on the bridge issue at Langlade, and there is a special meeting of the Langlade County Forestry and Recreation Committee this Thursday to address the issue. The members of the committee need to hear that the proposal to build the bridge has, at the behest of the ATV/UTV clubs, moved far to fast to allow input from all the stakeholders in this issue. The speed of the process has also distorted or prevented proper consideration for alternative sites for such a river crossing which might reduce conflict and displacement of other user groups. The appropriate thing to do would be to slow the process down and seek additional appropriate feedback, both locally and regionally. Again, this is time sensitive since comments need to reach the committee members before Thursday but any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks,
    Brian

    The committee members who these thoughts need to be addressed to are:

    David J. Solin--County Board Chairman
    N6411 Vacha Ln.
    Deerbrook, WI 54424
    DSolin@co.langlade.wi.us

    Ron Nye, Forestry/Recreation Committee Chair and
    Langlade County Board Vice-Chair
    N1842 Highway 45 South
    Antigo, WI 54409

    Samuel Hardin
    1515 N. Superior St.
    Antigo, WI 54409

    Duff Leaver
    W4104 Highway 64
    Bryant, WI 54418

    Joseph Novak
    N1986 Pit Road
    Antigo, WI 54409

    Don Scupien
    P.O. Box 522
    Antigo, WI 54409
    Link  •  Reply
  • Home
  • News
  • Urgent! ATV/UTV impacts on the Wolf River
Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software