Aid_Content Page_Snowmobile Trail Aids

Snowmobile Trail Aids

SNARS and GTS Training
Monday, October 23rd

A recording of the training is available here. Thank you to everyone who was able to participate!

Nathan Matter from Groomer Tracking Systems will give his informational presentation on the GPS system, GTS Trails, etc. and how they relate to SNARS. The intended audience is counties and clubs who have not had much experience in these systems or need a refresher before winter.
County Snowmobile/ATV Trail Coordinators Workshop
Thursday, October 5th

A recroding of the workshop is available here. Thank you to everyone who was able to participate in-person and via Zoom!

Goal: To educate and inform newer county coordinators, and provide networking opprotunities among county participants. Zoom option (and recording) will be provided but in-person attendance encouraged.

Snowmobile trail aids are entirely funded by snowmobilers. The money awarded in grants to Wisconsin counties comes from snowmobile registrations, trail pass revenue and gas tax from some of the gas used in snowmobiles.

These grants are used to reimburse the over 600 snowmobile clubs in Wisconsin for some of their expenses. Without these clubs, the trail system we enjoy would not be possible. The volunteer members provide the labor and equipment needed to develop and maintain the nearly 25,000 miles of interconnected snowmobile trails open to public use.

They talk to landowners to get permission to cross private property, work with public land managers, work with their county trail coordinator who administers the grant, brush and clear trails, put up signs in the fall and take them down in the spring, and spend many hours grooming the trails to make them safe and enjoyable.

Contact Jillian Steffes, 715-210-4911 with questions. To sign up to recieve notifications for Governor's Snowmobile Council meetings and Snowmobile Trail Aids program updates, go here.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants

Counties and tribes may apply for these grants.

Snowmobile bridge rehabilitation

Eligible projects
  • replacement of entire structure including approaches and abutments
  • repair to the superstructure of the bridge
  • replacement of the entire deck and railings
  • repair or replacement of protective riprap around abutments or footings
Ineligible Projects
  • replacement of bridge railings only
  • patching of decking
  • grading or minor repair to approaches
  • bridge repairs to bring bridge structure within any existing codes
  • reinforcement of bridge structures to accommodate weights in excess of 14,000 pounds
  • deck replacement for the sole purpose of accommodating larger grooming equipment

Snowmobile trail rehabilitation

Eligible projects
  • clearing of trees from storm damage to re-establish the trail corridor
  • filling and grading to re-establish the trail tread damaged as a result of erosion
  • widening and straightening trail segments to improve visibility
Ineligible Projects
  • brushing, signing and similar activities conducted as part of routine maintenance
  • construction of a new bridge or culvert with an inside diameter of greater than 24"
  • rehabilitation or replacement of a bridge or culvert with an inside diameter of greater than 24"

Note: Any costs incurred prior to receipt of a grant are not reimbursable and may jeopardize your entire grant.

Priority ranking

Per s. 23.09(26)(5)(c), Wis. Stats. [exit DNR], trail funds are distributed according to the following priority-ranked purposes.

  • Maintenance of existing approved trails, including purchase of county liability insurance and acquisition of easements of less than three years
  • Club signing program (obsolete program)
  • Major bridge reconstruction or rehabilitation
  • Route signing program
  • Trail rehabilitation (prioritized by mandatory relocation, discretionary relocation, new bridges)
  • Development of new trails, including acquisition of land interests for a period of 3 years or greater or in fee simple

Deadlines

April 15 - Maintenance & Development Projects

Applications are due in the regional offices for the upcoming season.

Aug. 1 - Supplemental Maintenance

Applications are due in the regional offices for the previous season.

Applying

Contact your DNR grant project manager before applying to discuss your potential project. Counties and tribes may apply.

Trouble downloading forms? see: Troubleshooting tips [PDF]

Reimbursement

Reporting

Reimbursement materials

Supplemental materials

Trouble downloading forms? see: Troubleshooting tips [PDF]

Resources

SNARS - Snowmobile Electronic Reporting System

Guides and information

Bridges

Ranking Tools

Snowmobile equipment and labor rates

Trail signing

SNOWMOBILE COUNCIL

Rail crossing guides and forms

Trouble downloading forms? see: Troubleshooting tips

Laws

Grant related statutes and administrative codes

Contact

Contact information
For questions about Snowmobile Trail Aids, contact:
Your regional DNR grant project manager
Jillian Steffes, Snowmobile Grant Manager
Department of Natural Resources
107 Sutliff Ave
Rhinelander, WI 54501
715-210-4911
Your County Snowmobile Trail Coordinator [PDF]