C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Trail Master Plan all-terrain vehicle use update appropriation
If enacted, SF137 will significantly change the operational guidelines for the C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Trail in Cook and Lake Counties, encouraging recreational activities involving all-terrain vehicles. This shift is likely to enhance accessibility to these areas, potentially increasing recreational traffic and associated economic benefits from tourism and local businesses.
SF137, titled the C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Trail Master Plan all-terrain vehicle use update appropriation, seeks to amend existing natural resources legislation to permit all-terrain vehicle usage on specific segments of the C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Trail. This bill allocates a budget of $25,000 from the all-terrain vehicle account in the natural resources fund for the fiscal year 2026. The funds are to be used by the commissioner of natural resources to update the Master Plan to reflect these new allowances.
However, the bill may face opposition from environmental advocacy groups concerned about the impact of all-terrain vehicles on local ecosystems. Critics argue that allowing such vehicles could lead to increased erosion, wildlife disturbances, and a deterioration of the natural landscape. The bill includes a requirement for the commissioner to report modifications to the plan by February 1, 2026, indicating a level of accountability, but the effectiveness of such measures in addressing environmental concerns remains a point of contention.