2nd Annual Adirondack Park Snowmobile Trails Conference

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

2nd Annual Adirondack Park Snowmobile Trails Conference

Event brings together diverse interests in support of Adirondack snowmobiling

April 11, 2009, Long Lake, NY - The New York State Snowmobile Association (NYSSA) hosted the 2nd Annual Adirondack Park Snowmobile Trails Conference at the Adirondack Hotel in Long Lake, NY on April 4, 2009. This event is designed to gather snowmobilers and other stakeholders with an interest in snowmobile trail issues, to share information and seek solutions. Dave Perkins, NYSSA Trails Coordinator, served as facilitator for the conference.

Attendees to the conference included representatives of snowmobile clubs in the Adirondack region, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), NYS Department of Transportation (DOT), NYS Adirondack Park Agency (APA), Hamilton County, Adirondack Park Local Government Review Board and the Adirondack Association of Towns and Villages. Also in attendance were Jim Jennings, NYSSA Executive Director and Mike Fischer, NYSSA President.

Bill Farber, Chairman of the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors welcomed the attendees and stressed the need for more action and less talk on issues affecting snowmobilers, while highlighting the positive economic impact snowmobiling brings to Adirondack towns. Discussion included review of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Adirondack Snowmobile Plan, which remains under review even after nine years of development.

Dirk Bryant, of The Nature Conservancy (TNC), updated the attendees about the snowmobile trail development opportunity that will be available thanks to the TNC purchase of 161,000 acres of Finch Pruyn property in the Adirondacks and the subsequent sale of 90,000 acres including recreation and development rights to the DEC. “Inclusion of snowmobile trail corridors that connect the hamlets in this region was part of our negotiations from day one,” Bryant remarked.

The Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan forms the foundation for all activities within the Park. Rick Weber, Assistant Director of Planning, NYS Adirondack Park Agency (APA), gave a brief primer on the Plan, and how it affects snowmobiling in the Adirondacks. The APA has been reviewing a number of Adirondack snowmobiling issues for years. While the APA has resolved the definition of “no material increase” in the snowmobile trails mileage, other issues including the use of tracked groomers and the definition of the “character of a foot trail” remain under review. According to Weber, the preliminary study by APA staff indicates that snowmobile club volunteers could fall under the definition of “administrative personnel” if working on approved trails under the state snowmobile trail umbrella. The APA Board of Commissioners will work to resolve these remaining issues this summer.

Speaking to the need for careful consideration of policy development underway at the APA, Fischer reminded the attendees that attention to competing interests is paramount. “By balancing the myriad recreational uses with the economic realities facing the towns within the Park, the APA can prove that they are responsible stewards of the Park and the communities within,” Fischer said.

In response to concerns raised by the DOT, Jennings committed to study ways that NYSSA could help with the cost of highway maintenance at trail crossings. “While the trail fund is hard pressed to cover the expenses borne by snowmobile clubs, there may be other avenues to help the DOT manage the expense,” Jennings said, adding “NYSSA will work with the DOT to seek solutions.”

The New York State Snowmobile Association, formed in 1975, represents over 100,000 New York snowmobilers in over 230 clubs statewide. For more information, visit NYSSA online at www.nysnowmobiler.org.

Contact:
James Jennings, Executive Director
New York State Snowmobile Association
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
PO Box 612, Long Lake, NY 12847-0612
(518) 624-3849

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