ATV Trail from Gotham to Spring Green??

From: Cecilia Farran [mailto:cecilia@northearth.com]
Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2008 3:15 PM
To: Mikebirr@aol.com
Subject: Fwd: ATV Trail in Spring Green

Our leaders need our support on voting down this trail. It may seem harmless enough, but it is opening a can of worms.

Please forward this on to everyone on your list.

Thanks.

Cecilia

Begin forwarded message:


From: Cecilia Farran <cecilia@northearth.com>
Date: May 23, 2008 2:57:22 PM CDT
To: ...
Subject: ATV Trail in Spring Green

I was totally shocked to read the paid space ad in the Home News thanking municipalities for their help and announcing the opening of the "Private" ATV trail from Gotham to Spring Green. In doing some checking I found that neither the Spring Green township or village had granted approval for certain sections of the trail which is scheduled to open May 31.

I have learned that the route of the trail will run from Gotham to Spring Green through private farmland. In talking to some of the farmers involved they have indicated that they too are startled by the May 31 opening as they have asked for proof of insurance and a signed agreement, but have not as yet received such.

Per my email to the sustain group on May 1 (see below) ATV's are NOT eco-friendly and both the Spring Green Township and Village need our support on this issue, especially since the village has recently adopted a resolution to take enviornmental concerns into account when making decisions.


In addition to eco-concerns there are other points at issue:

1. Crossing of highways:There is some question as to whether ATV's can cross town roads (Big Hollow, Dyke,etc.) WITHOUT township permission. I have heard it said that if they cross at right angles they do not need permission, but if they run along side the road they need permission. I have also heard it said that if the traffic that crosses a road is high frequency then permission is needed. What consititutes "high frequency?" Definitely a grey area. Town officials need to be asked about this or one can go to the DNR website and research this grey area.

2. Running alongside of roads: The ATV club has indicated to the township that they want permission to run south alongside Pearl Road, to cross the tracks, turn east and then run along behind the dump, turn south at the bus barn property to Kennedy. They have asked permission to run alongside Kennedy and somewhere (no one seems to be sure) to turn south and run to Bobs Riverside.

3. Insurance issues: the dump is not fenced in the back and ATV's could gain access to the dump.

4. The Safe Route Plan for school children is suggested for Kennedy Road. Do ATV's and safe walking for children go together?

5. If in fact the ATV club plans on going all the way to Bob's Riverside beginning May 31 without approval from town/village, what guarantee can be given to citizens that they will be stopped.

6. HOW RESPONSIBLE ARE THEY?
Although I was shocked, I was not totally surprised that they were announcing the opening of the trail without muniicipalities approval as I have witnessed a flagrant disrespect for authority and due process from this group in the past. This frightens me and I can't help feeling that they will take this attitude on to the trail with them.


They promote themselves as a private club of local people (one land owner told me he was told they were mostly senior citizens)??? yet they are already and publicly soliciting new members. With the best of intentions they say they will police themselves, but I am skeptical and feel they may be promising more that it is physically possible to control, especially as they begin to share the trail with more and more members. I question what it takes to become a member and what happens if enthusiasts from beyond the river valley wish to join or use the trail without a membership. I have a vision of taking the cover off of a huge box of japanese lady bug beetles.


WHAT TO DO?

This issue is on the town board agenda for the June 5 meeting.
The village board will be meeting Wednesday May 28 and as yet that agenda is not yet published. A call can be made on Tuesday to Wendy at the village hall to ask about the agenda and/or to be put on the agenda in the public comment section of the meeting.

I suggest calling town board members Benny Stenner, Irv Snyder and Jerry Schmidt AND the village board members. Let them know your concerns. Talk to all your friends and neighbors. Have them call. Don't let this get pushed through by a few, unbeknownst to the community at large. Support our local officials .

Get together with neighbors and friends and get on the agenda of the upcoming meetings. Keep in touch via email so we will all know what is going on. Perhaps there is someone of you out there who can spearhead such an effort.

I regret that at this time I can not lead an effort, but I promise to forward information as it comes to me.

Cecilia Farran


Begin forwarded message:

From: Cecilia Farran <cecilia@northearth.com>
Date: May 1, 2008 8:58:47 PM CDT
To: SustainRiverValley@yahoogroups.com
Subject: ATV Trail in Spring Green

No sooner had the Spring Green Village Board voted to approve a resolution favoring an eco-municipality than they were given a challenge. On the agenda at the same meeting was a representative of the River Runners ATV club asking for a trail through the west end of the village.

The principles of the resolution include supporting life-sustaining eco-systems and the basic human needs of air, water, food and shelter.

ATV's are not eco-friendly as they introduce noise, dust, pollution (gasoline fumes) and are an irritant to residents and wildlife.
They also introduce invasive species such as garlic mustard carried in as seeds on the dirt on tires.

Not only should we be concerned about the request for a trail in Spring Green, but the question also has to be asked, how will they get to Spring Green. Their goal is to create a trail from Gotham to Spring Green . They are approaching it piecemeal, lobbying one municipality after another. Such a trail would carry an impact of noise, dust, pollution and irritant to human and wildlife not only in spring Green, but for the entire length of the trail.


Please be alert to further village board agendas that might include creating an ordinance to approve the passing of this request for a trail. The village board may need imput and backing by those opposed to such a trail.

Anyone wanting to put together a letter or presentation to aid the village board to understand the impact of ATV's, may contact me

Cecilia Farran