DNR Considers Expanding Snowmobile Use In Blue Mound State Park

Public Hearing On Plan Scheduled For Tuesday Night

By
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (CC-BY-ND)

Members of the public have a chance to weigh in Tuesday night on a controversial plan to allow snowmobile use in more of Blue Mound State Park.

The state Department of Natural Resources is amending its master plan for the park, which is located west of Madison and includes the highest point in southern Wisconsin. One proposal is to add a snowmobile trail in what for decades has been a quiet area.

Advocates for silent sports are raising concerns, but the DNR’s Jeff Prey said snowmobiles are already allowed on a park road network that runs parallel to the proposed trail.

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“We don’t feel that the snowmobile use that would parallel that road is any … louder than the other vehicles that use the road on a daily basis,” Prey said.

He added that the Blue Mound trail would connect to a local trail run by snowmobile clubs.

The DNR will hold a hearing on its proposed amendments for the state park Tuesday evening in Mount Horeb.