As Bayfield County Recreation Committee Chairman Kenneth "Bucky" Jardine Thursday opened a meeting to identify issues related to trail usage on the Highway 63 snowmobile trail, he asked the 20 or so members of the audience not to address issues involving railroad right of way ownership or litigation.

That didn't stop a number of speakers at the session from doing exactly that, despite Jardine's best efforts to steer away from the topic.

The original idea for the session came at the December 19 committee meeting, where it was decided to hold a meeting to get input from owners of property next to the trail about trail problems, and to brainstorm about possible solutions.

To an extent, this discussion took place, but the topic kept coming back to the question of land ownership of the property the trail runs along. That land is a disused Union Pacific rail corridor.

Earlier this year, Federal District Court Judge Barbara Crabb ruled that Bayfield County owned at least part of the line, the portion crossing the land of Douglas and Judith Mauler. The couple had filed suit against Bayfield County claiming the land had become theirs after the railroad abandoned the line in 1978.

The decision has sent shock waves area among property owners.

Jardine said after the meeting he had hoped to avoid the topic and address other issues.

"Otherwise we'll be there all night talking about it," he said.

Nevertheless, the topic was on the mind of several participants.

"I am concerned about the way the railroad has been selling land they didn't own," said property owner Pat Pospychalla. "It was a shady deal when the railroad sold it to the county."

Judith Mauler said in spite of the fact that over 60 percent of the population surveyed in Bayfield County did not want more tourism promotion and wanted more restrictions on snowmobiles, the county continued to promote the activity.

She said she lived "uncomfortably close" to the trail and had sought relief from federal court because of the fallout from association with the trail.

"On a daily basis we have to deal with the noise and the exhaust fumes," she said.

She also cited problems with trash, excessive speed, alcohol use, lack of enforcement, trespassing and use of the railroad grade as a public bathroom.

"I have been threatened by trail users," she said. "It has been very difficult to get answers or assistance. No one offers help."

Several landowners also complained of speed, litter, noise and fumes, as well as damage to their property.

Corridor resident Liz Quast who described herself as an environmentalist, protested against what she called a "mindless accommodation of motorized vehicles." She pleaded with snowmobile operators and clubs to hold themselves accountable.

However the issue came back to the land ownership question several times.

"Land ownership is the real problem. People are bitter about the land ownership problem," said Pospychalla. "You have to deal with this dispute."

Committee member Ralph Frostman complained about the issue being raised.

"We are not talking about litigation or land ownership. I don't want to hear about this tonight," he said.

County Administrator Mark Abeles-Allison said it was "obvious" that the underlying issue for the trail was the land ownership question but urged the audience to offer possible solutions to the other issues raised.

Among the suggestions were better signage, inviting landowners to meet with snowmobile clubs, increased efforts to communicate with landowners and support of tax relief for property over which trails pass.

The committee agreed to continue the dialogue at their next meeting on February 28.