County snowmobile aids

County snowmobile aids. (1) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to establish standards for the implementation of the snowmobile aids program under ss. 23.09 (11) and (26) and 350.12 (4) , Stats. (2) Applicability. The provisions of this section are applicable to all counties participating in the snowmobile aids program. (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. (4) General provisions. (a) Planning requirements. 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. 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. (b) Acquisition of snowmobile trail rights-of-way. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. (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. (c) Development of snowmobile trail. 1. Development shall begin the same year land is acquired. 2. ‘Snowmobile trail design and construction specifications.’ a. Minimum graded width for one-way trails is 6 feet and maximum 8 feet. b. Minimum graded width for 2-way trails is 10 feet and maximum 12 feet. c. Minimum turning radius is 25 feet. d. A height of 10 feet above the trail will be cleared. e. Sustained grades and slopes will be a maximum of 25 percent. 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. 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. 3. ‘Snowmobile highway and trail sign specifications.’ a. Snowmobile highway signs shall conform with sign reflectorization, colors and legend listed in the Wisconsin manual of traffic control devices. 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: