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Jessup River Wild Forest UMP 2010 Amendment
The recently issued amendment 2010 draft amendment to the 2005/2006 Jessup River Wild Forest Unit Management Plan has a number of signifigant negative changes. NYSSA is very concerned that the are trail closures that are unnecessary under the guidelines and as a result will isolate users and businesses who have historically had access to the trail system. The amendment should have leveraged the Class I Trail guidelines to preserve access by residents, visitors and businesses.
Your calls, e-mails, and letters are needed to preserve trail access to all snowmobilers.
If you utitlize the example letter, it is critical that you personalize, edit and add your own comments on this matter for your letter to count.
JRWF Example Letter (MS word format)
JRWF Example Letter (text file)
The entire set of JRWF UMP Plan documents can be downloaded from the NYSDEC website HERE
There is a summary of the amendment from the NYSDEC at the bottom of this page, and the specific amendment on which the DEC is currently accepting comments on can be found HERE
Comments are due to the NYS DEC by February 19, 2010 to the attention of Mr. Thomas Kapelewski.
Thomas Kapelewski, Senior Forester, NYS DEC
PO Box 1316
Northville, NY 12134
Fax: (518) 863-2546
Email: r5ump@gw.dec.state.ny.us
PLEASE NOTE: YOU MUST INCLUDE A SUBJECT LINE OR THE COMMENT EMAIL WILL NOT BE RECEIVED OR RECORDED
All DEC UMPs and process on DEC website HERE |
NYS Budget and Snowmobile trail fund changes
NYSSA is working hard with the State Budget office on changing their proposed language to remove the broad language that would allow the 30% monies to be used for any recreational activity. We believe that the State does now understand our concern about the budget figures and the proposed budget language that creates the potential for trail fund monies to be used for other than snowmobile related expenses.
Some of the concern from the state is based upon costs incurred by other state agencies- particularly the DOT, for signage, pavement repair at highway crossings, and trailhead parking lot snow removal. We are in the process of identifying the specific concerns and document the unspecified costs.
While NYSSA’s position has always included willingness for the snowmobile community to carry our own weight, we will not simply stand by letting the trail fund be used with no questions asked and expenses justified.
We will likely know where this issue stands before the NYSSA Board meeting on February 6, and will set the next steps at that point.
NYSSA has been contacted by several state legislators who are interested in working with us. We have advised them that we are attempting, through our lobbyists and leadership, to negotiate with the State Budget office for the removal of the language that provides for an expansion of allowable expenses, but if that effort fails we will ask for legislative assistance.
If it comes to that, we would most likely conduct a PR campaign and grassroots legislative outreach the week of February 8, 2010. In the meantime- stand by and prepare to defend the trail fund should you letters and calls be needed to defend the fund. |
Adirondack Council Article 78 petition against State
On Monday January 11th, the Adirondack Council (AC) filed an Article 78
petition in State Supreme Court in Albany, against the state’s
Adirondack Park Agency (APA), Department of Environmental Conservation
(DEC) and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
Read their press release HERE, and the
NYSSA press release HERE.
The basis of the suit is the simple question of whether or not the
APA has the authority to establish the snowmobile plan, or whether they
are required to first amend the Adirondack State park Master Plan
(APSLMP). That is the only issue before the court. The AC says the
snowmobile plan does not comply with the ASLMP. The APA’s position is
that they have the authority to develop rules without first amending the
APSLMP.
The APA has authority to adopt rules necessary to carry out the
intent of the laws. The state law that governs the APSLMP uses terms
like “general guidelines” and “guide the development” (of UMPs). The law
also states that the APA and the DEC have the authority to develop
regulations “necessary, convenient or desirable” to implement the
purpose of the section.
Regardless of how the judge rules on this question, there will be
additional opportunity for NYSSA to advocate on the resultant standards
for snowmobile trails in the Park. Either way, our efforts and
expenditures would be better used over the battle of the standards for
the trails, as opposed to the procedural question.
The AC continues to misrepresent their stated goals via the
positions they take. As far as the AC position on the UMP process and
the snowmobile plan, they claim to be an “environmental organization”
but continue to lobby against the use of tracked groomers in the
Adirondacks. Tracked groomers are more fuel efficient and operate much
cleaner than the 2-stroke utility sleds the Adirondack Council would
prefer be used for trail grooming. Their position on this issue is in
direct conflict with their stated mission.
The AC suggests that locating trails adjacent to roadways is “safer”
for snowmobilers and would vastly improve access for emergency
responders. While NYSSA supports trail safety, we find the AC’s sudden
concern about trail safety disingenuous, given their position on tracked
groomers, which would improve safety. |
Numerous studies concluded that ‘there were no detrimental effects’ to soil or vegetation from snowmobiling.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
NYSSA: LAWSUIT THREATENS TRAIL SAFETY
January 15, 2009, Long Lake, NY – The New York State Snowmobile Association (NYSSA) is raising an alarm about the recent lawsuit brought by an environmental group against the Adirondack Park Agency (APA) and two other state agencies over the adoption of state trail maintenance and safety standards for snowmobiling in the Adirondack Park.
NYSSA Executive Director Dave Perkins is urging the APA, the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) to vigorously defend their actions to ensure that snowmobile trails are the safest they can be. “The new rules reflect the vast experience and knowledge of snowmobile trail maintenance that NYSSA shared with state decision makers throughout the multi-year development process,” Perkins said. “We have demonstrated that unsafe trail conditions can be mitigated without undue impact on the forest’s natural character.”
The Snowmobile Trail Siting, Construction, and Maintenance Guidelines were adopted at the November 2009 APA meeting, allowing for the consideration and implementation of stalled Unit Management Plans (UMP)—plans that identify opportunities for recreational uses and consider the ability of the resources and ecosystems to accommodate such activity.
NYSSA fears that the lawsuit brought by the Adirondack Council may again put these plans on hold. “Most UMPs have been held from consideration for years until the APA could rule on specific snowmobile provisions,” Perkins explained. “Now, as a result of this lawsuit, these UMPs may be back on the shelf. This could have a chilling effect on the users of the forest preserve and the safety of snowmobiling families,” Perkins worried.
The Guidelines are a way to establish safe trails in the Adirondack Park on forest preserve lands that can be navigated by snowmobile. Establishing community connector trails allows significant economic benefit by bringing snowmobilers to community businesses. The Guidelines enjoy strong support from regional businesses, environmental groups and local elected officials. The action taken by the APA was done after more than five years of study and public participation in a process that included all stakeholders
NYSSA applauds the APA’s rules relative to trail width, particularly with respect to steep terrain and curves. The utilization of tracked groomers is necessary for proper trail maintenance to create safe, navigable trails. Trails that are of appropriate width will accommodate a variety of tracked groomers that will make trails with the desired meandering character safer to use. Tracked groomers require fewer grooming trips, and are more fuel efficient than utility snowmobiles used to groom trails. NYSSA believes that tracked groomers are much more environmentally friendly.
The Guidelines also ensure that the environment and natural character of the Park is protected. Trail routes are to be located nearer motorized routes that are either highways or bodies of water than in previous trail siting documents or policies, changes supported by NYSSA.
NYSSA was an active participant in field work that led to the development of the Guidelines. “It is unfortunate that not all stakeholders chose to participate. The Adirondack Council seems to have taken a position that whatever came out of the process would be hit with a lawsuit,” Perkins said. “The APA provided extensive opportunity for the public to comment on the Guidelines as this project has been ongoing for several years. Let’s hope that this obstructionist action by the Adirondack Council does not have tragic results for snowmobile safety,” Perkins concluded.
Founded in 1975, NYSSA is the voice of more than 100,000 snowmobilers in New York State, and provides support for the 230 local clubs maintaining over 11,000 miles of local snowmobile and multiuse trails. Visit NYSSA online at www.nysnowmobiler.com .
For more information:
Dave Perkins, NYSSA Executive Director
PO Box 612, Long Lake, NY 12847-0612
Tel. 518-624-3849, Fax 518-624-2441
Dave.Perkins@nysnowmobiler.com
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On January 15th & 16th 2010 the Salisbury Ridgerunners will be will be hosting the 14th Annual NYS Snowmobile Trail Grooming Equipment Show & Seminar. This is sponsored by OPRHP and NYSSA.
We would like to invite Clubs & enthusiasts to join our event. Section 21.02 of the SRRA bill requires Snowmobile Trail Maintenance Entities provide education for all personal who perform Trail Maintenance. An ideal way it accomplish this is send your appropriate club people to attend the Seminar offered this year.
January 16th at 8:30AM; Snowmobile Trail Grooming Seminar
Due to class size, please preregister. Please preregister to insure your class spot at www.salisbuyridgerunners.com Certificates from NYSSA and Salisbury Ridgerunners will be given to those who complete the seminar.
Mabie Bros. will have the NEW TerraTract All-Terrain Work Vehicle on display. Some of the other new manufacturers and models on hand will be the Prinoth Husky, Tucker Snow Cat, Sur Trac, Mohawk Limited-Pisten Bully, Truck track conversions, Kubota & tractor track conversions, 4 wheeler track conversions, Aplina twin track and Ski Doo Skandics as well as drags manufactured by Johnson, Mogal Master, AFMI, Arrow Head, Sur Trac and Mountain Snow will be on display.
“HANDS ON” DEMONSTRATIONS
Additionally, used and refurbished groomers & equipment (Mohawk Limited-Pisten Bully, Shop Industrial and from NYS Snowmobile Clubs) on display and for sale. Its been the goal of the Salisbury Ridgerunners for the past 12 years to provide an event that will benefit Clubs, snowmobilers and promote safe and enjoyable trails throughout New York State.
No matter what your club uses, 10ft track groomer or 24-inch Skandic, the latest technology & most effective method to groom trails are discussed. GREAT seminar for new trail grooming volunteers.
Hope to see you there,
Mike Denapole Chairman 315-866-0517 magic24@twcny.rr.com Seminar is FREE.
Any NYSSA Club may list and display their used equipment for free
