NR 50.09(2)
(2) Applicability. The provisions of this section are applicable to all counties participating in the snowmobile aids program.
NR 50.09(3)
(3) Distribution of funds. The distribution of funds according to priority ranked purposes is specified in s.
23.09 (26) (c), Stats. Should funds not be sufficient to satisfy the total request for either maintenance or acquisition, the funds remaining to satisfy that priority ranked purpose shall be distributed on a proportional basis.
NR 50.09(4)(a)1.1. Counties not previously participating in the snowmobile aids program and desiring to sponsor public snowmobile trails are required to have a comprehensive snowmobile plan approved by the county board of supervisors and the department.
NR 50.09(4)(a)2.
2. Counties that have previously met the comprehensive snowmobile plan requirement are required to maintain a current trail system map that describes trail locations, trail classifications and existing trail mileage by classification.
NR 50.09(4)(b)1.1. The value of an easement, lease, permit or other agreement for a period of less than 3 years is an eligible cost of maintenance under s.
350.12 (4) (be), Stats.
NR 50.09(4)(b)2.
2. The value of an easement, lease, permit or other agreement entered into by a project sponsor and the owner of land, including for bridge construction or rehabilitation, is an eligible cost of development under s.
350.12 (4) (bc), Stats. The length of any easement, lease, permit or other agreement for the placement on private land of a bridge that is either constructed or rehabilitated with funds under this chapter shall be for a period of at least 3 years if the total cost of the bridge is more than $3,000, per s.
23.09 (26) (am) (1), Stats.
NR 50.09 Note
Note: The Governor's Snowmobile Trail Council will, at one of its duly-noticed meetings, consider public comment, develop criteria for easements, leases, or permits, and recommend these criteria to the department, including minimum year lease requirements beyond the required 3 year lease for bridge projects costing more than $50,000. The Council may meet with the Off Road Vehicle Advisory Council to develop joint recommendations for easement criteria for joint snowmobile and ATV trails to the department. See online materials at
http://dnr.wi.gov/Aid/Meetings.html. Click on tab Snowmobile recreation.
NR 50.09(4)(b)3.
3. The value of either a short term or long term easement, lease, permit or other agreement may be based on the rental rate of land. The value may be one percent per month of equalized or assessed valuation. An annual fee of 10 cents per rod may be paid if the assessed valuation procedure is not used.
NR 50.09(4)(b)4.
4. The minimum term of the short or long term easement, lease, permit or other agreement shall be 4 months between December 1 and the following March 31.
NR 50.09(4)(b)5.
5. The width of the snowmobile right-of-way eligible for cost sharing may not exceed one rod in width unless approved by the department.
NR 50.09(4)(b)6.
6. The short or long term easement, lease, permit or other agreement shall contain at a minimum the right to sign, right of limited construction, right to maintain, and the right of use by snowmobiles and snow grooming equipment.
NR 50.09(4)(b)7.
7. The county shall submit a certification that all easements, leases, permits or other agreements secured grant public access and use of the land for snowmobiling. The county shall maintain a current file of all easements, leases, permits or other agreements which shall include the name of the property owner, description of the property, duration and amount paid for the easement, lease, permit or other agreement, date owner was contacted and name of the county or snowmobile club representative who obtained the easement, lease, permit or other agreement.
NR 50.09(4)(b)8.
8. Eligible costs for fee simple acquisition of property under s.
350.12 (4) (bc), Stats., are the fair market value of the property and reasonable costs related to the purchase of the property, but limited to the cost of appraisals, land survey fees, relocation payments, title evidence costs, title insurance costs and recording fees.
NR 50.09(4)(bm)
(bm) The length of any easement, lease, permit or other agreement for the placement on private land of a bridge that is either constructed or rehabilitated with funds under this chapter shall be for a period of at least 3 years if the total cost of the bridge is $50,000 or less. Any easement, lease, permit or other agreement for the placement of a bridge on private land that is either constructed or rehabilitated shall be in writing. The length of any easement, lease, permit, or other agreement may be a factor in determining the amount of snowmobile trail funds to be awarded for a project.
NR 50.09(4)(c)2.a.a. Minimum graded width for one-way trails is 6 feet and maximum 8 feet.
NR 50.09(4)(c)2.b.
b. Minimum graded width for 2-way trails is 10 feet and maximum 12 feet.
NR 50.09(4)(c)2.f.
f. Snowmobile trails may not be routed over bodies of water. If stream crossings make bridging necessary, bridging shall be at least 8 feet wide free from obstruction. If the bridge is located on an abandoned railroad grade, the bridge shall be a minimum of 10 feet wide free from obstruction. The department shall determine the need for bridging or if ice crossings may be used.
NR 50.09(4)(c)2.g.
g. Trails shall be routed away from areas designated in department wilderness policy, game preserves, winter browse areas, experimental stations, nurseries, plantations, residences and other areas of anticipated conflict, particularly areas which may be damaged by trail development or snowmobile use.
NR 50.09(4)(c)3.a.a. Snowmobile highway signs shall conform with sign reflectorization, colors and legend listed in the Wisconsin manual of traffic control devices.
NR 50.09(4)(c)3.b.
b. With the exception of snowmobile guide and information signs, signs for use on snowmobile trails to regulate snowmobile traffic or advise the snowmobile user of a specific trail condition shall be totally reflectorized. Guide signs which assist the snowmobile driver to reach a destination shall have the letters and legend reflectorized. Information signs do not need to be reflectorized. Trail signs shall also conform with the following specifications and illustrations:
TRAIL BLAZER
Purpose: To delineate the trail and to reassure the user that he or she is on the trail
Size: 6 inches by 6 inches
Color: Orange
Purpose: Acceptable alternative to use of blazers in agricultural areas and other cleared areas.
Size: Minimum of 6 square inches of reflective orange material mounted 4 inches to 6 inches below top of stake. Material is mounted on each side of stake and stakes are installed in pairs. Top 12 inches to 16 inches of stake is painted non-reflective orange.
DIRECTIONAL ARROW
Purpose: Indicates a change in trail direction.
Minimum Size: 12 inches by 6 inches
Color: Yellow background with black border and legend
Legend: 10 inch black directional arrow.
STOP SIGN
Purpose: Halt snowmobile operators at a road crossing, railroad crossing or trail intersection.
Minimum size: 12 inches by 12 inches
Color: Red background and white letters and border.
Legend: 4 inch Upper case letters.
YIELD SIGN
Purpose: To notify snowmobile operator that the right of way should be given to other vehicles, snowmobiles or other trail users at trail intersections and limited vehicle crossings.
Minimum size: 12 inches by 12 inches by 12 inches
Color: Red background and letters with white border and center.
Legend: 4 inch Upper case letters.
REGULATORY - MOVEMENT
Purpose: To inform snowmobile operator of laws or regulations.
Minimum size: Either 12 inches by 18 inches or 12 inches by 12 inches.
Color: White background and black letters and border. Additional colors such as red or green may be added to reinforce sign message of snowmobile prohibition or permission.
Examples
ONE WAY
12 inches by 18 inches
SPEED LIMIT
12 inches by 18 inches
RESTRICTIVE
12 inches by 12 inches
DO NOT ENTER
12 inches by 12 inches
CAUTION SIGNS
Purpose: To advise the snowmobile operator to proceed with caution at a reduced speed or to advise of a specific trail condition.
Minimum size: 12 inches by 12 inches
Color: Yellow background and black letters and/or legend.
Examples
STOP AHEAD
12 inches by 12 inches
INTERSECTION
12 inches by 12 inches
CHEVRON
12 inches by 12 inches
HAZARD MARKERS
Left Right
Purpose: Used in pairs, hazard markers indicate the trail opening through which a snowmobile operator may pass over a bridge or culvert. The stripes of each sign face inward and show the bridge opening. Used singly, a hazard marker indicates a trail obstruction. The stripes of the sign point down toward the path around the obstruction.
Minimum size: 6 inches by 12 inches
Colors: Alternate black and yellow 45 degree diagonal stripes.
BARRIER MARKERS
