Bulk sign order

The 2008 bulk trail sign order has been completed and sign quantities have been sent to the vendor. Signs are to be picked up at the end of the month for sorting and delivery at the August Board of Directors meeting. The number of participating clubs has increased slightly, but the overall number of signs ordered has dropped. Of the 225 clubs maintaining trails in the state, about 15% are taking advantage of the financial savings in the bulk sign order.

Club trail ID

As a result of club requests for a means to identify non-funded, legal trails (called club trails), a NYSSA club trail ID sign was developed and included in the bulk sign order. Clubs with non-funded trails that want to have a standard trail ID sign need to let the Trails Coordinator know how many club trails the club is maintaining. A number will be assigned to each club trail. Clubs can then order the club trail ID sign and install the assigned number. Some clubs are taking advantage of this means to identify its non-funded trails.

If your club has non-funded trails and wants numbers for them to use on the ID sign, please let me know how many club trails need identification.

Climate Change Conference

During the latter part of June a conference on climate change was attended. The main conference was held in Tupper Lake with a session devoted to the issue as it pertains to the Adirondacks being held in Keene Valley. Several nationally renowned speakers addressed various aspects of the issue. Common phrases associated with climate change are “carbon footprint” and “carbon sink”. Removing the main green house gas carbon is predicted to diminish changes in climate. Carbon footprint is the carbon released into the atmosphere by anyone doing any activity. Carbon sink is the ability of forested areas to remove carbon from the atmosphere.

Scientists supporting climate change are shortening the time period when dramatic climate changes will occur, including raising the levels of oceans through the melting of ice covering land surfaces. Basically, the current thinking is that unless things change, the climate of New York will become the climate of Virginia.

I can think of no snowmobiler that wants to see something like that occur. Predictions coming to fruition are uncertain at best, and the uncertainty and controversy of the issue makes any type of decision-making difficult.

The Association does not have a position on climate change. At ISC in Boise the IASA did approve a position on climate change. It has been sent to the Trails Committee for review.

A follow-up conference is scheduled for October.

Trail Access

Trail access issues are being dealt with on a daily basis. The Nature Conservancy’s purchase of lands from Finch, Pruyn continue to generate great interest, as potential gain and loss of trail on these lands is occurring in several eastern NY counties.

The prohibition of snowmobiles on property of the Canal Corporation is also a topic being worked on daily. Currently it is a two-pronged issue in Washington County as a proposed multi-use Canalway trail that would exclude snowmobiles is being planned that would cut the county snowmobile trail system in half. In addition, a second trail project that would be the only non-ice link of trails between Saratoga and Washington Counties is in jeopardy due to the prohibition. An effort to enroll the support of local government could help reverse this prohibition, which apparently was in force many years ago when the NYS Department of Transportation had control of the canals. The effort going on now could have impacts for any club in the state that has canal lands that could serve as links in their snowmobile trail systems.

A 2005 report on the Future of the Canals lists as one of its goals to remove this prohibition so that clubs could secure a permit from Canal Corporation to maintain a trail on this property.

Results of the public comment period for DEC’s Rule 190 revisions will likely take some time. Hopefully the Department will give attention to the comments that were made by snowmobile interests.

Rail corridors also serve as a source of potential trail use. Keeping track of rail corridors that come up for abandonment is a difficult issue, though trail group coalitions through Parks and Trails NY is helping.

Signing

A trail signing brochure that is designed for snowmobiler information about trail signage is being developed. The Trails Committee has reviewed the first draft, graphics have been added, and two printing quotes have been received. Work is being done with OPRHP to make sure all information is accurate.

The brochure will be similar to the landowner brochure that was developed a few years ago. It would be available on the website so that clubs can tailor the front panel to show their logo and contact information. Clubs would be able to order pre-printed copies from the Office. It is hoped to have the brochures ready by early this fall.

Respectfully submitted,

Dave Perkins, NYSSA Trails Coordinator