What are the strengths of our Wisconsin ATV registration program you
may be asking? In fact, what is the program and what does my membership
in the Wisconsin ATV Association (WATVA) do for me and how does it
benefit the ATV industry?
Simply stated the registration program is a combination refund
percentage of our state gas tax, along with a bi-annual $30
registration fee (per ATV) that provides the financial resources to
administer our ATV trail systems. Also provided under the Wisconsin
program parameters are the safety and environmental awareness
campaigns, as well the law enforcement element that keeps our ATV trail
systems one of the best in the country.
The Wisconsin ATV Association is driven to preserve, protect, and
expand the benefits of this uniquely structured and legislatively
authorized Wisconsin registration program that provides our citizens,
our businesses, and our out-of-state ATV guests with a trail riding
experience that is one of the premier ATV destination attractions in
the entire United States.
The following are just some of the recent accomplishments the
Wisconsin ATV Association has achieved. Representing the best interests
of over
200,000 ATV owners in this state, WATVA has been directly responsible
for the following:
- Saved over $800,000 from being transferred out of the ATV SEG
account, instead working with state lawmakers to restore the dollars
back into our ATV account.
- Increased ATV riding opportunities by working directly with state
lawmakers and the governor’s office to improve our funding resources.
This was the first increase in funding since the inception of the
registration program began in 1986!
- Partnered with the Wisconsin Dept. of Tourism to gather and provide
solid data that has become our Wisconsin ATV economic impact profile.
- Ongoing support for the formation of numerous new local WATVA
chapters throughout the state. These same local WATVA chapters are the
backbone for new ATV trail systems and riding opportunities.
- Works closely with the Dept. of Natural Resources and the NOHVIS
Group to safety instructors and trail patrol ambassadors that have had
a dramatic and positive impact on maintaining and adding new miles of
trails.
- Implemented a proactive organization business plan that includes a
high degree of positive public promotions and legislative/political
clout.
- Continue building trusting relationships with land managers and
other trail stakeholders that are the decision makers for our sport.
- Undertaking special projects that further improve the image of ATVing.