Oneida County Update to Clubs

ATV Clubs,

I am very appreciative that clubs are working on their own to get trails built or getting permissions for trails in your area.

As you make these requests, PLEASE make sure that your requests coincide with Oneida County ATV TRAIL Opening & Closing dates.

By our County ordinance, Oneida County Trails Open on May 22 and close on December 1 each season. These dates have been set for over 10 years now and will not change.

Do not confuse this with routes (town roads & county highways), I am specifically talking about trails.

Clubs are making requests for trails with many other different random dates and it is making it difficult and confusing for many groups/public!

Please do not confuse the Towns, the State, landowners and especially the public with other dates.

The Oneida County TRAIL dates are set, please follow accordingly.

If you already have trail dates that are different than the above, here in Oneida County, please change accordingly.

Thanks you for your cooperation.

Eric Rady
Assistant Forestry Director
Oneida County Forestry & Parks
PO Box 400 - Courthouse
Rhinelander, WI 54501
Office: (715) 369-6140
Voice: (715) 369-6234

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Burning Permits Are Suspended In Wisconsin

Campfires For Warming Or Cooking Strongly Discouraged

CONTACT: Catherine Koele, DNR Wildfire Prevention Specialist 608-219-9075 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

MADISON, Wis. - Spring in Wisconsin has the highest fire risk with the No. 1 cause of wildfires being debris burning. Wildfires pose a serious threat to public safety, property and our natural resources. People cause over 98% of all wildfires in Wisconsin.

Due to the COVID-19 Safer at Home order, we are taking proactive measures by suspending all Department of Natural Resources burning permits until further notice to protect the health and safety of Wisconsinites.

All burning of debris in barrels, burning of debris piles on the ground, grass or wooded areas is prohibited at this time.

Most debris fires occur in the spring after the snow-cover melts and before vegetation greening. Spring is when people are outside doing yard clean-up and then choosing to burn leaves, brush and pine needles.

Burning permits are required by the Wisconsin DNR in many parts of the state to conduct legal and responsible burning in the outdoors. Burning permits are also required by the Wisconsin DNR in DNR forest fire protection areas to conduct burning of legal materials when the ground is not completely snow-covered.

DNR burning permits do not apply within incorporated cities and villages. These municipalities oftentimes can and do create their own burning permit requirements. In addition, some townships may choose to be much more restrictive than state law and may not allow burning at any time.

Regardless of where you burn, it is up to you to check with your local municipality for their regulations, even if you have obtained a DNR burning permit. Not sure if your burn location falls within DNR forest fire protection? For a more detailed look, zoom-in to your location on the burning restrictions map.

Emergency responders and firefighters have an increased need to take pandemic precautions, so they remain available to continue to protect the public from wildfires and reduce the spread of COVID-19. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Remember to report wildfires by dialing 911 immediately.

Distance is key during this public health emergency. Under the Safer at Home order, we must do all that we can to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Staying home as much as possible and limiting travel to your community is the best way to lower COVID-19 infection rates.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources continues to receive the most up-to-date information and will adjust operations as conditions change. We will also continue to monitor on-the-ground circumstances each day to determine if park closures become necessary.

Steps To Prevent And Avoid Exposure

  • Avoid social gatherings with people of all ages (including playdates and sleepovers, parties, large family dinners, visitors in your home, non-essential workers in your house)
  • Frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and water
  • Cover coughs and sneezes
  • Avoid touching your face
  • Stay home when able

For updates on event cancellations and building closures at DNR properties, visit the DNR website or follow @WIDNR on Facebook, @wi_dnr on Instagram, or @WDNR on Twitter.

This is a rapidly evolving situation. For specific information regarding the COVID-19 we encourage the public to frequently monitor the DHS website for updates, and to follow @DHSWI on Facebook and Twitter, or dhs.wi on Instagram. Additional information can be found on the CDC website.Enter your text here ...


DNR Office of Communications

Sarah Hoye
Director of Communications
Department of Natural Resources
101 S Webster, P.O. Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707
Media Line: (608) 266-3143 TDD: 711
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
dnr.wi.gov | wisconsin.gov

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Fees Waived For Wisconsin State Parks And Trails

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 24, 2020
CONTACT: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Fees Waived For Wisconsin State Parks And Trails
State Parks, Trails And Restrooms Remain Open; Property Buildings Closed

MADISON, Wis. – Fees are now waived for all Wisconsin State Parks and Trails that continue to remain open to the public. Parks, law enforcement and property staff will also continue to provide routine sweeps of state park
system properties.

Staying home as much as possible is the best way to lower COVID-19 infection rates, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, should you need a place with space, getting outdoors has both physical and mental benefits.

Distance is key during this public health emergency. Please do not congregate at restrooms, self-registration stations or electronic kiosks. Additionally, do not gather in groups of 10 or more people and maintain six feet of distance from others.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources continues to receive the most up-to-date information and will adjust operations as conditions change. We will also continue to monitor on-the-ground circumstances each day to determine if park closures become necessary.

Beginning March 24, 2020, the DNR will implement the following changes to the operation of all state parks and recreation areas across the state consistent with guidance provided by the Wisconsin Department of Health and Department of Administration.

Here is the latest:

Fees Waived
  • Entrance fees are waived.
  • Please do not congregate at self-registration stations or electronic kiosks.

Restrooms Open
  • Restrooms on state properties will remain open given there are enough resources, cleaning supplies and access to personal protective equipment for staff to maintain them.
  • Please do not congregate at restrooms.
  • Effective immediately, the DNR will close the following state buildings to the public: Park headquarters, offices, visitor centers, nature centers, research stations, ranger stations, shooting ranges, fish hatcheries, shelters, showers, concessions, and indoor group camp buildings on all DNR owned properties open to the public.
  • Properties will continue to be staffed and outdoor recreational opportunities (hiking, trails, fishing, hunting, etc.) remain open at this time.
  • Boat launches at state parks remain open.
  • Visitors are reminded to practice proper personal hygiene to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to limit group sizes to under ten people when enjoying state properties.

​Camping And Special Permits

  • All campsites (individual, group, and indoor) are closed through April 30, 2020.
  • Refunds will be issued to all customers.
  • No new reservations will be accepted until further notice.
  • DNR staff or Camis Reservations staff will be reaching out to individuals with current or upcoming group camping reservations to issue refunds. Any other questions regarding camping reservations can be directed to the Camis Call Center at 1-888-947-2757.
  • DNR property managers will also be contacting groups or individuals who have existing special event permits.
  • Our customer service representatives also continue to provide service via phone at 1-888-936-7463 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Hunting And Fishing

  • ​Wisconsin's waters are open. You can fish if you have a license. Normal season regulations apply.
  • All current regulations apply for hunting, trapping, and fishing seasons.
  • In light of Gov. Evers COVID-19 recommendations, please keep in mind the need for social distance, limited travel and proper handwashing.

People should follow simple steps to prevent illness and avoid exposure to this virus including:

  • Avoid social gatherings with people of all ages (including playdates and sleepovers, parties, large family dinners, visitors in your home, non-essential workers in your house);
  • Frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and water;
  • Covering coughs and sneezes;
  • Avoiding touching your face; and
  • Staying home when able.

For updates on event cancellations and building closures at DNR properties, visit the DNR website or follow @WIDNR on Facebook, @wi_dnr on Instagram, or @WDNR on Twitter.

This is a rapidly evolving situation. For specific information regarding the COVID-19 we encourage the public to frequently monitor the DHS website for updates, and to follow @DHSWI on Facebook and Twitter, or dhs.wi on Instagram. Additional information can be found on the CDC website.
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Polaris Industries Impacted by COVID-19

​In a letter that was sent to all Polaris suppliers, 

Polaris Suppliers, Monday, March 23, 2020

The impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) is rapidly evolving, challenging the way we work, do business and operate in general. As we continue to navigate these unprecedented times, we want to update you about the actions Polaris has taken
to date.


Employee Safety: With employee safety a top priority, Polaris has taken aggressive steps to reduce the risk of exposure for our employees. As such, we have implemented the following actions over the past 10 days:

Restricted Employee Travel: Polaris has limited all travel to business critical only, requiring senior leadership approval.

  • Restricted Visitor Policy: Polaris is restricting visitors at all locations. Any visits deemed business critical will
  • need senior leadership approval prior to accepting the meeting. Additionally, visitors will be required to
  • complete questions relating to recent travel before approval.
  • Employee Work from Home: Where able, Polaris employees are strongly encouraged to work from home
  • to allow for additional "social distancing" and lessened face-to-face interactions.
  • Social Distancing: For those employees in our distribution centers and manufacturing facilities, we are
  • deploying other types of social distancing initiatives to reduce potential risk of exposure.

Temporary Suspension of Production: Polaris will be temporarily suspending operations at select powersports plants for one week to respond to current demand signals and continued market uncertainty, as well as to assess
the shifting business needs of our dealers and customers.

We continue to evaluate external market demands, our supply chain and distribution networks, government mandates and local orders, among other factors, and will communicate any revised requirements to the supply
base.

Planned Dates: Polaris will suspend production starting Tuesday, March 24th, with a planned re-start on Thursday, April 2nd. Polaris will continue to monitor its needs during this time and adjust the re-start date as appropriate.

Shipment Pickups: Starting Monday, March 23rd, Polaris has deferred all North American scheduled shipments/pickups to align with the duration of the planned suspension.

Impacted Suppliers: This applies to all North American suppliers, however there will be exceptions for those suppliers that support products considered essential by the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), such as vehicles built/upfitted for US Military, Federal, State or Local governments; or customers who are critical to the nation's shipping and delivery services. Those exempt suppliers will receive additional information in the coming day(s).

In addition to these activities, Polaris is currently evaluating multiple aspects of the business processes relating to Supply Chain, including without limitation payment terms, check runs and other financial measures. Any process changes will be
communicated in the coming days. We appreciate your continued support and partnership as we navigate these unique challenges, and we Thank You! for your steadfast support and appreciate your commitment to Polaris.

Below you will find some FAQ's that we hope you find helpful.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why is Polaris suspending operations?
As anticipated, pandemic concerns ultimately began to impact demand and we are adjusting our operations accordingly. Between our Retail Flow Management (RFM) system and our agile workforce, Polaris is built to react quickly during rapidly changing times.

Polaris continues to diligently manage its business and will adjust based on current demand signals and continued market uncertainty.

What plants are impacted?
United States: Huntsville, Alabama; Spirit Lake, Iowa; Monticello, Minnesota; Roseau, Minnesota; Battle Ground, Washington; Osceola, Wisconsin
Mexico: Monterrey
Poland: Opole

What remains open?
During this time, Polaris will continue to ship finished vehicles to dealers, as well as produce products that are considered essential by the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency ("CISA"), such as vehicles built or upfitted for the U.S. military; federal, state or local governments; or customers who are critical to the nation's shipping and delivery services.

The Company will continue to manufacture and deliver boats to meet retail customer orders; and its distribution centers will continue to operate, shipping parts, garments and accessories to dealers and customers.

In addition to boats, Polaris will continue to operate the Taylor-Dunn and GEM facility based in Anaheim, CA.

Will you plan to extend the closure of some or all of the suspended facilities?
Polaris will continue to evaluate external market demand, its supply chain, government mandates and local orders, and the safety of its employees, among other factors, when making decisions.
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Annual Meeting Postponed Due to COVID-19

WATVA Followers & Friends,

This week our board of directors met to discuss the upcoming annual meeting and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. We unanimously decided to postpone our event to help flatten the curve of COVID-19 as well as comply with state mandated health guidelines regarding the limitations of gathering of people in public or private spaces. The safety of our members and WATVA team are of the utmost importance to us.

The Holiday Inn & Convention Center in Stevens Point has indicated they already cancelled those rooms that members called in under the WATVA block, but if you wish to verify, please call Jennie Wierzba at 715-254-9940 or email her to verify at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

To cancel your meal tickets, please complete the following form (you can also log into eventbrite): https://forms.gle/oFXDTb3GWn6YvvX66. Please allow a few days for processing your refund request. You may also choose to keep the earlier payment as a credit for the rescheduled date, whichever you choose. We will very likely have the same meal options, if not the same, just at a later date when we've all defeated this COVID-19 challenge! This is also another opportune time to thank our dealerships that have contributed to our meal / conference costs, we thank you for your continued support. You can check out a full list of our supporting dealerships here: https://watva.org/index.php/about/2020-annual-meeting

We are working with the hotel on some possible future dates, however making this decisions at this point in time is like hitting a moving target with so many variables at play.

As of now, our regional meeting and rides are still moving forward. Our Northeast regional meeting will be held August 1st in Woodruff with our Northwest regional meeting being held August 15th in Rusk County.

Please watch our Facebook page or our website for more details on further upcoming events.
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