|
Governor
Cuomo Announces More Than $5 Million for Snowmobile
|
Trail
Maintenance and Grooming Across New York State
|
|
|
Governor
Announces Free Snowmobile Weekend February 2 - 5;
Registration
Fee Waived for Out-of-State Snowmobilers for Promotional Weekend
|
|
Albany,
NY – January 2018 / Newsmaker Alert / Governor
Andrew M. Cuomo has announced more than $5 million for snowmobile trail
maintenance and grooming across New York State and designated the weekend
of February 2nd - 5th as free snowmobiling weekend for all out-of-state
and Canadian snowmobilers. Registration fees will be waived for properly
registered and insured out-of-state snowmobiling enthusiasts wishing to
explore New York’s 10,400 miles of snowmobile trails.
“New
York is home to some of the best snowmobiling in the country and provides
visitors from around the world with endless opportunities to enjoy winter
in Upstate New York,” Governor Cuomo said. “With this funding, we ensure
that these trails are kept in good condition for future generations of
outdoor enthusiasts, and I encourage visitors from near and far to take
advantage of free snowmobile weekend this February.”
The
Governor announced $4 million for snowmobile trail maintenance to local
communities in New York, a 15 percent increase from last year. The trail
grants support 10,400 miles of designated trails across the state for snowmobilers
to safely enjoy. The local grants program is funded by snowmobile registration
fees collected by the State Department of Motor Vehicles and deposited
into the Snowmobile Trail Development and Maintenance Fund. County and
municipal governments distribute the grants to about 230 snowmobile clubs
across the state, which in turn groom and maintain the trails. Click
here for a breakdown of awards provided to each municipality.
In
addition, State Parks has authorized more than $1.1 million in federal
Recreation Trail Program grants to help seven snowmobile clubs purchase
essential equipment to maintain regional snowmobile trails. Funding comes
from the Recreation Trails Program, which is provided by the Federal Highway
Administration and administered by State Parks. Municipalities, not-for-profits,
state and federal agencies, Indian tribal governments and other public
agencies can apply for funds for the acquisition, new development, renovation
or maintenance of public trails or trail-related facilities. Snowmobile
trails are located on a mixture of public and private lands open to the
public for this recreational activity. Local snowmobile clubs are a critical
partner in keeping the state snowmobile trail system groomed for safe travel.
The
Governor also announced that snowmobiling fees will be waived for out-of-state
and Canadian snowmobilers during the promotional February 2 - 5 weekend.
Currently, out-of-state and Canadian snowmobilers are required to register
their snowmobiles with New York State before hitting the state’s trails,
stretching from the Hudson Valley to the North Country to Western New York.
Snowmobile registration costs $100, but is decreased to $45 for those who
join a local snowmobile club affiliated with the New York State Snowmobile
Association.
Participants
in free snowmobiling weekend must operate a snowmobile that is validly
registered in their home state/Canadian Province and must carry any applicable
insurance as required by their home state/province. For information on
snowmobiling, including online registration for out-of-state snowmobilers,
during non-promotional times, click
here.
Rose
Harvey, Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
said, “With the support of Governor Cuomo, more and more people are discovering
how much New York has to offer to outdoor winter recreation enthusiasts.
State Parks looks forward to working with our partners this season to keep
the trail system safe, groomed and well-maintained for residents and visitors
alike who enjoy our State’s many winter destinations.”
DEC
Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “Snowmobiling is a popular outdoor recreation
activity and an important economic engine for local communities, and through
the Governor’s leadership we are helping our communities capitalize on
this great wintertime activity. DEC is working alongside municipal workers
and volunteers from local snowmobile clubs to open gates, complete trail
maintenance, and groom trails, all to be ready for the snowmobiling season.”
Empire
State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky said,
“With more than 10,000 miles of snowmobile trails, New York State offers
an unparalleled riding experience. Just one more reason to plan a winter
getaway and come see all that New York State has to offer.”
Terri
Egan, Executive Deputy Commissioner of the New York State Department of
Motor Vehicles said, “Snowmobiles are a great way to enjoy New York in
the wintertime. We urge riders to be safe. Do not ride a snowmobile while
impaired by drugs or alcohol, and maintain a safe speed at all times.”
Dominic
Jacangelo, Executive Director, New York State Snowmobile Association, said,
“We appreciate the Governor’s recognition of snowmobiling as part of the
winter tourism economy and the jobs it supports. New York’s snowmobile
clubs do a great job maintaining a safe and enjoyable snowmobile trail
system, and this support will help ensure Upstate New York remains an excellent
destination for snowmobiling and winter tourism. We are confident that
those who come, will come back time and time again to enjoy our wonderful
trails. Visit www.nysnowmobiler.com
for local club and visitor information.”
Herkimer
County Legislator Patrick Russell said, “New York State is a world class
destination for winter activities and by removing fees for out-of-staters
and Canadians during the weekend of February 2, we can attract even more
visitors to our state. I thank the Governor for his continued commitment
to New York’s great outdoors.”
Webb
Town Supervisor Robert Moore said, “Snowmobiling is a popular winter sport
in New York, attracting visitors from our state and beyond to explore our
trails and take in the scenery. I am proud to waive fees for out-of-state
and Canadian snowmobilers along with Governor Cuomo to draw more winter
sports enthusiasts to our state.”
Inlet
Town Supervisor John Frey said, “Winter activities are a major driver for
tourism in the North Country and by waiving fees for snowmobiling over
February 2 weekend, we attract more visitors from out of state to enjoy
all that our region has to offer. I am happy to partner with Governor Cuomo
to offer free snowmobiling for out-of-state snowmobilers and visitors from
Canada.”
All
trail systems are open and trail conditions range from good to excellent.
However, some specific sections of trail may have lesser amounts of snow
and blowdown or other obstacles in the trail. Check the websites of area
snowmobile clubs for information on trail conditions, including the status
of grooming. Additionally, the New York State Snowmobile Association website
has information about snowmobiling and snowmobile clubs. Maps of the state
snowmobile trail network are available on New York State Parks’ website
here.
A number
of trails on Conservation Easement lands in the Adirondacks have been closed
or rerouted to avoid logging operations. Check DEC’s Adirondack Backcountry
Information website
and area snowmobile club websites for information on trail closures and
reroutes.
The
state’s snowmobiling community has a seasonal economic impact of $868 million,
according to a 2011 study by the State University at Potsdam. New York
State supports snowmobiling with a Statewide Snowmobile Trail System traversing
45 counties, maintained by over 200 clubs, and funded through 51 municipal
sponsors. For information on snowmobiling, visit parks.ny.gov.
Visit the DEC website here
for more information on snowmobiling on state lands.
Winter
travel is responsible for 21 percent of New York’s total tourism, accounting
for $13.6 billion in direct visitor spending in 2016. More information
on winter tourism in New York State is available at www.iloveny.com/winter
and on the free I LOVE NEW YORK mobile app, available for download on the
iTunes and Google Play app stores or at www.iloveny.com/mobile.
Source
Document
Media
Contact:
Press
Office
518-474-8418
Press.Office@exec.ny.gov |