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WISCONSIN ATV RIDERS AND HIKERS SIGN
AGREEMENT FOR ICE AGE TRAIL
Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation, and
Wisconsin All-Terrain Vehicle Association sign Memorandum of
Understanding: guidelines to foster cooperation, enhance
outdoor experiences among both groups
A historic partnership between the Ice Age Park and Trail
Foundation and the Wisconsin All-Terrain Vehicle Association
was forged recently when the presidents of the two groups
signed a Memorandum of Understanding.
The Memorandum of Understanding establishes a working
relationship between the two organizations, and is designed
as a guideline to develop proactive solutions to the
challenges faced by both groups.
The ultimate goal of the memorandum is to provide quality
outdoor experiences for ATV riders and hikers. Safety,
respect for each groups trail experiences, trail building
and maintenance needs are major issues facing both
organizations.
Endorsed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources,
the Memorandum of Understanding was signed by John Shank,
president of the Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation, and
Randy Harden, president of the Wisconsin All-Terrain Vehicle
Association.
The Memorandum of Understanding lays the groundwork for both
organizations to work together on common objectives,
including the development of safe highway and/or railroad
crossings, better signage to prevent unwanted trespassing,
and new options to protect, preserve and expand each groups'
trail experiences.
"Both groups have issues that impact their chosen form of
recreation," explains Shank. "It is in both our interests to
work together to ensure the future of our outdoor
activities."
The groups explain that there are issues in which both
groups have a common ground. "Safety, respect for each
groups trail experiences, plus trail building and
maintenance needs, are three of the major issues facing both
organizations," Harden says. "This document sets is the
framework to find common-sense solutions to the issues that
face both groups."
The Wisconsin All-Terrain Vehicle Association is a statewide
organization that addresses the issues and opportunities
facing people concerned with creating a positive future for
ATV recreation. The mission of WATVA is to create and
sustain an ongoing communications forum through which ATV
enthusiasts and their organizations and supporters can share
information and experience, participate in educational
opportunities, and become partners in creating a positive
image of the sport.
The Ice Age Park & Trail Foundation is a non-profit,
volunteer- and member-based organization headquartered in
Milwaukee, Wis. Established in 1958, it now has more than
5,000 members who support the Ice Age Trail. Working
cooperatively with the Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources, National Park Service, many local governments,
businesses and private landowners, IAPTF staff and
volunteers work to protect, promote, build and maintain the
many segments of the Ice Age Trail-- a thousand-mile
national and state scenic trail located entirely in
Wisconsin.
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN Wisconsin All-Terrain Vehicle Association, Inc. AND
Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation, Inc.
ENDORSER: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
This MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING is hereby made and entered
into by and between the Wisconsin All-Terrain Vehicle
Association, hereinafter referred to as WATVA, and the Ice
Age Park and Trail Foundation, Inc., hereinafter referred to
as IAPTF.
1. PURPOSE: To foster a working relationship between the two
organizations that provides ample opportunities to discover
and build respect for each others chosen form of outdoor
recreation. Both organizations desire to establish a
meaningful communications network between and with their
respective memberships that develops and encourages
proactive solutions that meet the combined trail challenges
of WATVA and IAPTF to provide quality outdoor experiences of
both activities.
2. STATEMENT OF MUTUAL BENEFITS AND INTERESTS: WATVA and
IAPTF shall work together to support each others efforts to
locate and build separate trail systems. Where it is
feasible and possible, both organizations shall extend
opportunities to share road, highway, railroad, and major
river crossings. Provisions shall be made for the adequate
safety of all users with speed limits, barriers, trail
materials, and precautionary signage.
Both organizations shall strive to inform and educate local
communities about these joint efforts that protect,
preserve, and where feasible, expand both hiking and
All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) riding recreations. Both groups
shall work collectively, striving to promote the Ride Smart
Trail Patrol Ambassador (TPA) program which works along side
and with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR)
law enforcement, county sheriff and recreational officers,
as well as town, city and/or village credentialed law
enforcement.
Small committees and/or task force teams should be formed
from both organizations to work together formalizing public
service announcements (PSAs) or other direct or indirect
communication systems to curb inappropriate advertising to
the general public. Working collectively, the teams shall
strive to adjust tourism advertisements to minimize
misunderstandings on what trails are open to specific uses
and recreation, and work together to establish better
signage and directional guidelines to alleviate trail
infringements by unauthorized trail uses.
Both organizations shall work together, developing protocols
and procedures for assisting TPAs and credentialed law
enforcement, as well as jurisdictional land managers,
developing standardized incident reporting forms with
assistance and advice from the WDNR and the National Park
Service (NPS). Furthermore, guidelines shall be established
on how to best deal with incident reports and complaints.
Members from both organizations shall jointly assess and
analyze the reports of trespass and/or illegal or
inappropriate activities to solve mutual trail problems and
challenges.
WATVA SHALL: Invite IAPTF to attend and participate in Ride
Smart TPA training sessions, to participate and offer
insights and input at the trainings, and to offer
opportunities to IAPTF to request qualified TPA assistance
at locations that are deemed problem areas related to ATVs
riding on the Ice Age Trail.
IAPTF SHALL: Invite WATVA to attend and participate, and
offer insights and input at their Mobile Skills Crew trail
building events, learning the tools and techniques of our
trail building system, thus establishing a basis of trust
and understanding for both groups as to their respective
trail desires and expectations.
3. PARTICIPATION IN SIMILAR ACTIVITES: This document in no
way restricts
WATVA or the IAPTF from participating in similar activities
with other public or private agencies, organizations, and/or
individuals.
4. COMMENCEMENT/EXPIRATION/TERMINATION: This Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) takes effect upon the signature of the
WATVA and IAPTF and shall remain in effect for 5 years from
the date of the execution. This MOU may be extended or
amended upon written request of either the WATVA or the
IAPTF and the subsequent written concurrence of the other.
Either the WATVA or the IAPTF may terminate this MOU with a
60-day written notice to the other.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARTIES: The WATVA and IAPTF will handle
their own activities and utilize their own resources,
including the expenditures of their own funds, in pursuing
these objectives. Each party will carry out its separate
activities in a coordinated and mutually beneficial manner.
5. PRINCIPAL CONTACTS: The principal contacts for this
instrument are:
Wisconsin ATV Association Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation
6. ESTABLISHMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY: This MOU is not intended
to, and does not create, any right, benefit, or trust
responsibility, substantive or procedural, enforceable at
law or equity, by a party against the other, its officers,
members or any one person.
-- October 5, 2005
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