In 2008, DNR staff said the trail option near Sayner was likely to raise hackles because it ran close to recreational facilities such as a bike trail, three rustic campgrounds, and a natural area encompassing Bittersweet and Prong lakes.

Hilgenberg said Tuesday that if the ATV industry wanted expensive trails on public land it might need to come up with some money.

“If all you ATVers and UTVers want this stuff, you’re going to have to figure out how we’re going to pay for it because we don’t have the money,” Hilgenberg said. UTVs are utility terrain vehicles, which are larger than ATVs.

Currently, the state is sending money to ATV user groups.

About $6 million a year in fuel and registration fee revenue help support motorized recreation, including nearly $4 million a year in ATV trail maintenance grants that often go to ATV clubs. Another $500,000 annually in borrowed money is allocated for ATV and snowmobile facilities, including trails. And nearly $300,000 annually goes to a nonprofit set up by the state ATV association to promote safety.