[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of Adams County 1-15-2013 by Ord. No. 01-2013. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Parks and recreation — See Ch. 267.
All-terrain vehicles — See Ch. 347.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
APPROVED SNOWMOBILE TRAIL
A marked corridor on public property or on private lands subject to public easement or lease designated for use by snowmobile operators by the Adams County Administrative and Finance Committee, the government agency having jurisdiction, but excluding highways except those highways on which the roadway is not normally maintained for other vehicular traffic by the removal of snow.[1]
SNOWMOBILE
As defined in § 340.01(58a), Wis. Stats., an engine-driven vehicle that is manufactured solely for snowmobiling, that has an endless belt tread and sled-type runners, or skis, to be used in contact with snow but does not include such a vehicle that is any of the following:
A. 
A vehicle that has inflatable tires.
B. 
A vehicle that is driven by a motor of four horsepower or less and that is operated in sanctioned races, derbies, competitions or exhibitions, or only on private property.
SNOWMOBILE COORDINATOR
The person so designated by resolution to act on behalf of Adams County Board of Supervisors, under the direction of the Adams County Administrative and Finance Committee, to submit application to the State of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for such financial aid as may be available and sign documents, and take necessary action to undertake, direct, and complete the Adams County Snowmobile Trail Plan with regard to the safety and welfare of all snowmobilers.
SNOWMOBILE ROUTE
A highway or sidewalk designated for use by snowmobile operators by the governmental agency having jurisdiction and signed in compliance with § 350.13, Wis. Stats.
[1]
Editor's Note: Throughout this chapter references to "Parks Committee" were amended to "Administrative and Finance Committee" at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
A. 
No person except those individuals authorized by the County shall drive a snowmobile on any County-owned property not open to snowmobiling.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
B. 
No person shall drive a snowmobile at a speed in excess of 15 miles per hour when the trail is posted "Dip," "Turn," "Slow," "Steep Hill" or other caution signs.
C. 
Restricted speeds. It shall be unlawful to operate a snowmobile on any approved snowmobile trail, established by the Adams County Administrative and Finance Committee, at a speed in excess of the posted limit. The Administrative and Finance Committee shall determine the speed limits to be posted based on information received by the Restricted Speeds Council consisting of Adams County's Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs (AWSC) Director, Sheriff's Office Recreational Officer, and County Snowmobile Coordinator.
A. 
Only snowmobiles having the meaning designated in § 340.01(58a), Wis. Stats., are allowed on approved County-sponsored and/or state-funded snowmobile trails for public snowmobiling between the dates of December 5 and April 1 of each year. Opening and closing dates other than listed above may be approved by the Adams County Snowmobile Coordinator with twelve-hour public notification by the Adams County Snowmobile Coordinator or designee.
(1) 
Landowners whose property is traversed by a County snowmobile trail are exempt from the above requirements on their own property. It is further recommended, if landowners are using the trail which traverses their property for their livelihood, that the landowners immediately contact the snowmobile club responsible for maintenance of the trail segment to correct any unsafe trail conditions.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
B. 
Exceptions.
(1) 
Snowmobile club members are authorized to use vehicles, tractors, etc., on approved trails between April 1 and December 5 while performing maintenance work and signing of approved trails only for which they are responsible to maintain.
(2) 
Emergency equipment usage by trail maintenance crews to correct unsafe trail conditions is allowed on approved trails between December 5 and April 1.
(3) 
Trail grooming equipment as authorized by the Governor's Snowmobile Recreation Council will be allowed on approved trails between December 1 and April 1.
C. 
Unauthorized abandoned vehicle(s) or snowmobiles on any approved snowmobile trail shall be towed away at the owner's expense and impounded by the Adams County Sheriff's Office within 24 hours.
D. 
No person shall deface, destroy, or remove any snowmobile trail sign posted on any approved snowmobile trails, other than the property owner who may remove any of his personal property which the trail is located on.
Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, the statutory provisions describing and defining regulations with respect to snowmobiles in Chapters 346 and 350 of the Wisconsin Statutes are adopted by reference and made part of this chapter as if fully set forth herein. Acts required to be performed or prohibited by such statutes are required or prohibited by this chapter. Any future amendments, revisions, or modifications of the herein adopted and incorporated statutory provisions are intended to be made part of this chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
A. 
The penalty for violation of any provision of this chapter shall be a forfeiture as hereinafter provided together with costs under Ch. 345, Wis. Stats.
B. 
Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction, forfeit not less than $25 nor more than $450 for each offense, together with the costs of prosecution and restitution of property, trail, or sign damage, and in default of payment of such forfeiture and costs shall be imprisoned in the County jail until the same are paid, for a period of time not to exceed 90 days, or until otherwise discharged pursuant to law.
C. 
State statutes. Forfeiture for violation of any statute adopted by reference hereunder for which the penalty is a fine shall not exceed the maximum fine permitted under such statute.
Special exceptions of any section of this chapter may be granted by prior approval of the Adams County Administrative and Finance Committee at a public posted meeting.