Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen Issues Formal Opinion that County Board May Designate Public Highway as All-Terrain Route to Primarily Benefit Private Organization, Provided that Public Funds are Not Used

MADISON — Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen today issued a formal opinion to Trempealeau County Corporation Counsel Rian W. Radtke concluding that a county board may designate short segments of county public highway as all-terrain vehicle routes even if such designations primarily benefit a private recreational organization, provided that no county funds are involved.

The opinion reasons that no public funds would be used for a private purpose and notes that the county board would be required to consider such items as the safety of motorists and pedestrians and the economic and recreational value of each segment before a designation is made.

Formal and informal opinions issued by Attorney General Van Hollen are available here.

A copy of the Attorney General's opinion is available at the following link: