| | | Snowmobilers Fund Trial Grooming, Not the DNR | | By Bill Manson | Snowmobiling thrives in Michigan because of our picturesque natural resources and our superb trail network. The trails are maintained by grooming equipment purchased with fees collected almost entirely from snowmobilers. This is part of the process known as the “snowmobile program,” which ensures the viability of the industry. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is a part of the process, but not a funding source.
The program is not funded through the state’s general fund derived from the taxpayers. The state gasoline tax provides a portion of funding, but the vast majority of money used to groom (smooth), sign, and maintain the trails come from 1. Trail permits, and 2. Snowmobile registrations.
All three funding streams sent $7.3 million to the DNR this year. In typical government fashion the department used $2.1 million for
“administrative costs” needed by the Forest Mineral Fire Management division to operate the snowmobile program. It’s not entirely clear to the snowmobiling community why the department needs over 28% of the budget to manage the program.
It’s necessary to clarify these issues due to recent state government communications stating that grooming is “funded through the DNR” and that “the DNR pays for the equipment that the clubs use to groom the trails.”
The DNR does not pay for the equipment used to maintain our trails. As outlined above, most of the money comes from snowmobilers and to a lesser degree the gasoline tax rebate formula for recreational vehicle use. Trail maintenance money is simply passed-through the DNR from users. It’s mandatory under state law.
Snowmobilers and the businesses that rely on the industry do not have the DNR to thank for our world-class trail network. We pay for the necessary equipment and provisions. And more importantly, volunteers physically groom the trails. Without their tremendous contributions our trail system as we know it would not exist, and consequently neither would the economic stimulus generated by the snowmobile industry.
It’s important to set the record straight for the future of snowmobiling in Michigan. The time is fast approaching when trail user fees will have to be increased to pay for the snowmobile program. The DNR will undoubtedly insist on being a part of that process too.
As illustrated by the recent astronomical miscalculation of the Game and Fish Fund, we all have good reason to be reticent of the DNR’s ability to accurately forecast program budgets. If snowmobilers are faced with increased user fees, they will deserve to know why. The answers should come from dedicated industry experts, not from state bureaucrats.
Under the current system the DNR does play a role in the snowmobile program that maintains Michigan’s trails. Instead of talking about who should get the credit, the DNR should focus on providing efficient services to those that pay for state programs.
Bill Manson
Executive Director
Michigan Snowmobile Association |
| Oh What a Start | | By Tim Carmichael | Each year, as the first of December grows near, my anticipation for the up and coming snowmobiling season begins to escalate. For December 1st marks the official opening of the trail system in Michigan. This statewide opening is on public and federal land only. Private landowners may exercise their right to keep their gates closed until black powder deer season is over, normally December 15th. It is extremely important that we as snowmobilers respect their rights and privilege during this time. Remember, it is by their generous nature and continued cooperation that these gates are opened allowing access to us for the rest of the season and future seasons to come. |
This past December, I watched that date approach with one eye to the North. From very late November and in the early days of December, good snow had been accumulating across the Upper Peninsular and Northern Lower Michigan. On December 1st, trail reports were good with grooming already taking place. Could this be a start like we have not seen in ten years? One could only hope!
About the time I was wondering if the conditions would be good enough to make a run for it, our friend John, owner of Heart Lake Resort just south of Gaylord, called. He said the snow was good and trails nicely groomed and we may want to think about coming up. It was only the fifth of December and we were packing to leave the next day. |
| Got a New Hillclimber & No Hills to Climb! | | By Jim Duke | The following was told to me by a co-worker and although I found it humorous at first, I later realized that this situation is more common than one might think, and the enthusiast looking to get the most for their money might unsuspectingly fall into this same trap. His story goes like this:
Having always been one to over-compensate I've been told that the best ride in snowmobiles comes from a longer track. I've since learned that this is not always necessarily so, but since I was not really interested in a touring sled with the additional passenger room or all the bells & whistles, I opted for a single rider model with the longest track I could find. I checked them all out and settled on a new Polaris Rocky Mountain King (RMK) Dragon. The specs on this particular snowmobile were, to say the least, impressive... and that's saying a lot! Liquid cooled, oil injected, and electronically controlled exhaust valves, this engine was, at just 700cc's, a one hundred and forty horsepower rocket. But the thing I was most interested in was the 163 inch long by 15 inch wide track with (get this) 2.4 inch deep lugs. This baby can take a person anywhere he, or she, might decide to go!
As impressed as I was with this sled's capabilities, I was totally misinformed about it's drawbacks. |
| East Jordan's Annual Sno-Blast | | By Jean Pardee | | Old Man Winter has been playing tricks on us for the past few years, he sends us snow early than takes it away for a green Christmas only to come back with a vengeance then leave to come back in full force. He is such a tease...please stop! Let us have winter all winter long so we can appreciate spring...in April! East Jordan’s festival really turned out to be a BLAST...a cold one. The majority of activities were housed at the E.J. Sno-Mobile Club where people, fortunately, had a place to gather and keep warm. I had a hard time encouraging friends to move outside during parade time to watch the floats parade around the track. Spectators dressed in snowmobile gear kept comfortable whether it was to watch a race or join in other outdoor activity. |
| Vintage Racing on the Climb | | By Andy Twork | | Racing is becoming a pretty popular sport these days. It doesn't seem to matter either just exactly which type of racing. Nascar is becoming one of the most popular things on television these days, and spots like the Speed channel on cable is growing in popularity. Another thing that is ever growing is the restoration of vintage vehicles. It is not really centralized around just vehicles either, people are now are restoring vintage automobiles as well as vintage tractors, even vintage snowmobiles and motorcycles are becoming more and more a popular hobby.
In the state of Michigan there is a relatively new group and of diehard snowmobilers whose love of vintage sleds has drawn them to race and all of their races are on the ice, once again, just like they did in the old days. |
| Gaylord Rings in the New Year Snowcross Style | | By Stephen King | | People celebrate the new year in various ways. Some head to Times Square and watch the sparkly ball drop. Others head to parties of various types. But, for the last few years, people in Gaylord have been ringing in the New Year with the sights, sounds, and excitement that is snowcross racing. This year, the party started a bit early. You see, New Year’s came upon us on a Tuesday. Thinking Tuesday was not an appropriate day of the week for such excitement, the powers-that-be scheduled the race on the weekend prior to the changing of the year. The first thing you have to realize is that the party goers at this New Year’s party were not your average party goers. No, the guests of honor at this party were some of the finest snowcross racers in the area. You can say for a fact that this New Year’s snowcross party in Gaylord was one of the most exciting parties around. |
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