CC SORVA is responsible for maintaining 138 miles of DNR designated routes starting in Sault Ste Marie, ranging west to Hulbert, south to just north of Trout Lake and south/east to Rudyard.
In case you were wondering what CC SORVA does for the ORV riding community this is what we accomplished so far in 2026.
For reference, CC SORVA has obtained and spent over $1,000,000 in grant funding over the last 5 years to maintain existing trails and open new trails. This money comes from the states ORV Trail Improvement Fund, which is funded primarily by the ORV community through your purchase of ORV License and ORV Trail Permit stickers.
More specifically, this year alone money was spent on the following. The actual work was performed by CC SORVA volunteers with the help of sub-contractors on the larger projects:
- Monthly grading of 138 miles of trails $42,000
- Magnet runs over certain selections of trails to remove old RR spikes, snowmobile studs and other steel debris to reduce tire punctures for riders. $1000
- Filled washouts in the trails near Hulbert. $1800
- Installed over 400 new signs on the 56 miles of new trails we added this year. This took a crew of 8 individuals who volunteered their time over multiple days. $5000
- In the spring and again in late summer we do system wide brushing, repair or replace damaged or missing signs and perform other trail maintenance, such as removing trees that have fallen across the trail. This takes an enormous amount of time and effort from club members who volunteer their time. We can always use more hands!
- Club volunteers will also go out “on demand” to clear a fallen tree when reported to us by a rider or the DNR
- Prepared bid packages and obtained bids to install 4 inches of limestone gravel over a 1 mile section of new trail near Filer Rd on the way to Rudyard. $56,000
- Prepared bid packages to obtain mechanical heavy duty brushing over several miles of trail. $5000
- Prepared bid packages to brush, install gravel and widen ¾ mile of new trail on USFS 3018. $5000
- Arranged for the placement of 23A Limestone gravel on Trail C where it crosses Flatfoot Rd. That section of trail was soft sand which deteriorated quickly after grading. It also quickly turned to “whoop” at the intersection caused by rapid acceleration away from the stop signs. $5000
- Prepared and distributed bid packages for Engineering Services required by the DNR to replace a failing culvert near Irish Line Rd west of Brimley. Winning bid $12,000
- All these bid packages are quite detailed, take hours to prepare and can be 25 pages long in some cases. They detail where the work is to be performed, and for example in the case of gravel placement, the type of material to be used, the depth and width it’s to be spread to, the presence and location of underground utilities, and the amount of slope or crowning required for proper drainage. If ditching is required those details and specifications are also included as well as obtaining permits from EGLE. In the case of mechanical brushing, the width and height the trail is to be brushed back is specified, and where the spoils can be placed. Drawings and schematics are drawn up and included in bid packages if needed. All the information that a bidder needs to accurately calculate his costs to prepare a competitive bid are included so that in most cases a bid can be prepared without the bidder having to physically view the worksite.
- Prepared a small parking area beside the trail near 20th Street in the Soo.
- CC SORVA worked with the US Forest Service and Michigan DNR to obtain permission to create new ORV routes through the Hiawatha National Forest, and create circular routes to various destinations. This process included multiple meetings over 12 years, and different administrators.
For every one of the above activities, reams of paperwork must be submitted and managed, after all we are working with the government! CC SORVA has to create signing logs, bid request documents, bid recommendation forms, grant reimbursement papers, etc.
We cannot begin any major project until we obtain three bids, and that process takes time.
We have to identify and prioritize trail issues for repairs. A bid request document may take several hours to create. The repair must be designed and specified so that bidders can all quote on the same basic project. Projections of gravel to be used, where it is to be placed and marking of the trail are all part of the process.
Future projects must be planned well in advance as the DNR requires the grant applications to fund those projects be submitted two years in advance.
We have to manage our bank account to balance the arrival of the grant money (which can vary from 2 to 8 weeks from when it’s requested – again, we are working with the government!), with the timing of when the projects are expected to be completed so we have funds available to pay the contractors in a timely fashion.
We work with MISORVA and the DNR’s ORV Advisory Workgroup (ORVAW) to obtain new laws that support ORV stewardship.
We lead monthly rides to different destinations around the Eastern Upper and Northern Lower peninsulas. The rides are open to club members and non-members. These are your chances to explore areas you may not be familiar with and see new sights while making new friends and having the security of riding with others who know those areas.
What’s up for 2027? Continuous improvement of our trails.
……..your suggestions are appreciated!
Please join CC SORVA and become a volunteer participant in our trail activities. Go to chippewacountysorva.com to join….a family membership is only $25.00.