Should snowmobiles be allowed to use a portion of the Trout Run Trail?

Local snowmobilers have been using a temporary bridge over Trout Run Creek near Highway 9 for the last five years.  The only problem has been that the bridge has washed out during three of the past five years.  And since it usually costs at least $3,000 for a replacement, snowmobilers have begun looking for an alternative.

They think they have found it in the Gundersen Clinic Bridge that crosses Trout Run between the clinic building and the bike trail.

But Winneshiek County's 28(e) Committee on Wednesday didn't immediately agree to grant snowmobilers access on the bridge during the winter.  Some committee members were worried about the damage snowmobiles might do, while others were concerned that Gundersen Clinic had been promised there would be no motorized traffic on the bridge.

But Iowa DNR officials say the snowmobiles would not damage the bridge deck surface and that they would be willing to sign an agreement with the City of Decorah to handle other issues.

Nevertheless, 28(e) Committee members decided they wanted more time to study the proposal and tabled the issue until their next meeeting.