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fishweb
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Posted: Fri Sep 19th, 2008 04:18 pm |
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DNR MANAGEMENT FEE’S LOWERED TO 15%
This headline may not seem that exciting except for the fact that the MICHIGAN SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION, with the help of Representative Lahti and Senator McManus made this happen. That means for the FY 2008/2009 more money will be going on the trails for grooming and maintenance. MSA will continue to watchdog the funds for you. We do hope that this piece of news made you feel good………………………….. Now for REALITY!
Based on the budget, this will be the last season for the Smooth Trails you have gotten used to! The Michigan Snowmobile Program’s revenue stream has hit the wall. That means that the trail permit and registration fee money will not cover the expenses. With rising cost of fuel, bridge replacement, rising cost of grooming equipment, petroleum products, and increasing costs of trail maintenance. Couple that with reduced revenue from registrations, gasoline tax, and trail permit sales, the system is broke! The remaining snowmobilers must burden the cost to keep the trail smooth.
MSA is proposing a $10.00 increase in the Trail permit and an $8.00 increase in the 3 year registration.
These fee increases will NOT go in effect until the FY 2009/2010 season. Because this year is an election year and with term limits MSA feels that it will be in the best interest to get this passed before the end of this legislative session in December. Without your support this won’t happen and the consequences will be bumpy trails.
The increased Trail Permit Fee will add about $1 million to the Snowmobile Trail Improvement Fund. The money in this fund is allocated to the Grant Sponsors (clubs & business groups) to brush, sign, and groom the trails. This fund is not spent in Lansing!
The increased Registration Fee will go to create a new fund to buy permanent trails easements. Currently of the 6500 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, roughly 50% of them are on private property. This fund would allow the Snow Country Trails Conservancy to be granted money for this effort. The conservancy is a non-profit run by snowmobilers to buy easements and convey them to the clubs that are grooming the trails.
MSA is working with the legislature, and we want to make sure that our recommendations are agreeable with by the snowmobile community. We will be sending out a notice with a post card by snail mail in September. Please make sure that you send the card back with your support or your disagreement. Remember MSA is here to represent all of the snowmobilers in Michigan.
Bill Manson
Executive Director
Michigan Snowmobile Association
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Editor of Michigan Interactive
http://www.fishweb.com
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belorang
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Posted: Sun Sep 28th, 2008 05:40 am |
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Start by making all user's of the trails pay for permits to use the trails not just the Snowmobilers. Have seen horseback riders using the trails and destroying them with the horses hoofs making large divets on the trails. Also Cross country skiers using the trails, and then swear at you because you're on the trail with your machine. people walking their dogs and letting them do their jobs on the trail, I don't know about you but I don't like to have to remove dog crap from my machine or have someone elsehit it and spread it all over the place, besides it STINKS. What is wrong with this picture? We pay to use the trail and they don't but they can destroy it, or swear at you because you are using it and you and I are the one that pay to use it not them. One more way to get more out of you and I for them. I pay for 4 permits each year so that my family ride legal.
You have to pay to play not just the few to pay. We have a very nice trail system let's keep it that way if you want to use the trail shell out the $25.00 bucks for it like I do and most of the rest us us do. Keep the horses off the trail, walk your dogs in your own yard, cross country ski where you should, on a cross country ski trail.
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svo11
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Posted: Mon Sep 29th, 2008 05:52 pm |
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| I think that if the trial permit prices are going up they should look at making, out of state riders pay more than in state riders. It is are ready being done for other types of permits/licenses.
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jamescalvin
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Posted: Tue Sep 30th, 2008 05:58 am |
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svo11 wrote: I think that if the trial permit prices are going up they should look at making, out of state riders pay more than in state riders. It is are ready being done for other types of permits/licenses.
yeah, that makes sense. lets discourage people from coming up and spending money. there is an old saying "don't step over a dollar to pick up a quarter" thank god your not in charge.
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belorang
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Posted: Tue Sep 30th, 2008 08:15 am |
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| If you go to Canada you have to pay the fee of over $100.00 to use their trails, you go hunting in some other state you pay the non-resident fee. They should do the same.
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skidoo82
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Posted: Tue Sep 30th, 2008 10:03 pm |
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| hello i think that if all of use as snowmoiblers injoy they nice groomed trails i think we should go for the increase. i as a snowmoibler dont like rough trails so i am willing to pay the extra 10.00 bucks a a trail permit and 8.00 on a 3 year registration but that is just me i think it is worth groomed trails.
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parkoaks
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Posted: Fri Oct 3rd, 2008 03:17 am |
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| There are good people working on our behalf to keep the system working. But, the simple fact is more money is needed. Just raise the fees. Out of state riders spend more money in the state per mile ridden than locals so there's no sense in making it harder for them to spend it here.
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skidoo82
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Posted: Fri Oct 3rd, 2008 03:29 pm |
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| i agree with you on that
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hoagabilly
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Posted: Sat Oct 4th, 2008 03:23 am |
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| Hi ive been reading this issues this is just what i think .IM from IN i been rideing in MI for a long time .I started when i was 8yrs in 1977 with my mom & dad going to wolflake my first sled was a 1979 7500plus blizzard now its a 03 rev 800 .This year it will cost me 230.00 for gas just to get up there and back in the truck .Then add 45 to 65 a nite for motel .and gas for the sled and food .i do not have a problem with paying 10.00 more for permits and for your 8.00 raise in your state permit thats not bad for you guys .In IN its 30.00 for three years and then we pay person property tax on the sleds this year it was 250.00 . So if anyone has a problem with pay that 10.00 more send them down here and they can ride in the corn fields with me no trails no groomers and pay 250.00 a year for sled that u have already paid for .
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skidoo82
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Posted: Sat Oct 4th, 2008 03:57 am |
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| hello we need more ppl like you hoagabilly to vote thank you i agree
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hoagabilly
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Posted: Sat Oct 4th, 2008 06:42 pm |
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| Hi just a thought if MI could come up with something like a combon pack for out of staters for trail & regestration for 1yr say 45.00 a sled .that way my money would go to the trail instead paying regestration fee in IN were my money goes who knows where.I no alot of pepole that only ride in MI and not around here.that would put some more money in the trails.
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Dodgepants
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Posted: Sun Oct 5th, 2008 04:29 pm |
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| I agree 100%. I've had horse sh** all over my sled, boots, jacket, and thrown in my face from the guy in front of me. I have also had horseback riders, cross country skiers, snoshoers, tobbagoners, hikers, and hunters swear at me or give me the finger as I try to enjoy the trails. Try to ride your sled on the Corsair ski trails in Tawas and see what happens. It should be the same for everyone!!!
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auburntechnology.com
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Posted: Mon Oct 6th, 2008 04:00 am |
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| i agree that the horse people need to pay a trail permit. the cross country skiers need to pay a trail permit. the mountian bikers need to pay a trail permit. we have equal use but not equal fees. i ride atvs and sled and have trail permits for both even tough they are the same trail. DO not raise the trail fee.
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shimmy
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Posted: Thu Oct 9th, 2008 04:37 am |
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i come to michigan to ride 5 or 6 weeks at a time .don't do like new york does or you'll lose a lot of income from the out of state riders. i live in powell ohio.Attachment: 2007 snowmobile UP 015.jpg (Downloaded 331 times)
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skidoo82
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Posted: Thu Oct 9th, 2008 05:26 am |
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| hello looks like good snow in the pic lol i was wondering if you agree with the increase or disagree
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skidoo82
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Posted: Thu Oct 9th, 2008 05:27 am |
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skidoo82 wrote: hello looks like good snow in the pic lol i was wondering if you agree with the increase or disagree shimmy
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shimmy
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Posted: Thu Oct 9th, 2008 05:44 am |
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| yes it has to increase if we want the nice trails .how much,i think yhe snowmobilers and atv need to step up
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skidoo82
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Posted: Thu Oct 9th, 2008 03:39 pm |
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| cool i agree with you you know we have alot of ppl come frome out of state to ride are trails i dont think 10.00 trail permit increase 8.00 3 year reg isent bad but some pple joy the trails in tell something like this happens when we need to step up help out you know. you voted yes right
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auburntechnology.com
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Posted: Thu Oct 9th, 2008 04:37 pm |
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| i apparently have too many sleds. another problem i have with the increase is i have too have a premit for each sled. we never take more than 4 to ride but i would have to buy 6 permite. so it is an addtional 60 bucks for me .
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azracing
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Posted: Thu Oct 9th, 2008 08:05 pm |
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| I favor the increase in trail permits, but the non-resident fee should be just $5.00 more for them. It seems small, but if you add up all the out-of-state'rs that could help our trail systems by a fair percentage. They do the same in other states like N.Y.
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GREG PLATZ
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Posted: Fri Oct 10th, 2008 01:19 am |
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| I am all for trail permit increases as long as the trail systems are rid-able, do what it takes to ensure great trail maintenance! I understand challenges arise based on trail traffic but if the counties are looking for repeat riders and income: it will not take long to gain a reputation one way or another.
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auburntechnology.com
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Posted: Fri Oct 10th, 2008 04:27 pm |
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the last time they raised the fee we were told the trails would improve. not. the gaylord trails went to bumps lumps and snirt because they accused the club of stealing money, which they weren't . the trails around there have been bad since then. last january after 5 days of snow and 10 inches they decided to groom there. do not raise our fees. impose fees on others that use the same trails now but do not pay, horses, hikers, bikers and skiers. if they just charged them $10 each it is a $10 increase per addtional user with 4 times more potential revenue. win win for everybody, dnr gets there monies plus more we pay no more and every pays to use but the new people just pay $10 each. then the dnr can paise each one of them each year till they macth us. then we will have a surplus for maintence, new trails, way points, trailhead(multiuse) and all is good
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azracing
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Posted: Fri Oct 10th, 2008 04:47 pm |
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If you were a boater you would most likely have to pay $20to $25 for the truck AND $20to$25 for the boat. Then if want to dock the boat for the night in a slip watch out that could cost you uo to $75.00!
We have to remember that if we want to have a trail system in Michigan that we're going to have to PAY TO USE IT!
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auburntechnology.com
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Posted: Fri Oct 10th, 2008 11:20 pm |
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| i am all for paying. what i am trying to say is all users should have to pay. if you go to a state park you can pay for the day or the year based upon how many times you are going to use it. not if you have a boat or a horse or a snowmobile. however on the snowmobile trail , which is multiuse year round. you do not have to pay to hike, bike, horse ride or ski. if you have an orv you have to get a trail permit. i am asking for some parity on trail use and fees. i already pay when ride my sleds and get horse sh!t thrown at me from previous sleds or hit a steamer in the corner on the right. but i can not ride horse trails even in winter when they are not . i get skiers flipping me the bird during the week because i have to go around them at stop signs , after i stop, on the snowmobile trails because they will not wait or move to the right. apperantly i should only ride the trails on the weekend.
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csmithhome
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Posted: Sun Oct 12th, 2008 05:46 am |
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| if bill manson says we need more money to keep the trails great, then it should happen. do your history on this guy, you'll see what I'm talking about. as a rider and long time member of the msa, great trails is what I'm looking for. rode all over this country, and michigan is the talk of the town. dollars for our supporters is critical. stop the finger pointing and vote yes for the increases. he says we need it, then we need it.
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morg77
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Posted: Mon Oct 13th, 2008 10:07 am |
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I'm currently live in MI but I will soon have to move to OH for my job. I support the increase in trail permits and registration. A 35$ trail permit hardly seems like much for smooth trails, and yes I do have multiple sleds. However I disagree with the extra fee for out of state riders, at least if it's a large fee. I have hunted here for years however next year instead of 30$ for a combo tag I will have to pay 280$ for an out of state tag. I've got to admit that seems a bit excessive, and I'll have to see if I will even be able to afford it. Such fees will stop people from coming here to enjoy our natural resources. That will also stop a lot of income for MANY small businesses that need that income to survive. A small additional fee I can understand I just hope it doesn't go overboard.
As far as fees for other activities I have a hard time seeing how a mountain biker for example should have to pay the same amount for a trail pass. Most other activities do not require near as much maintenance to the trail as our sport.
Just my two cents.
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mride460
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Posted: Tue Oct 14th, 2008 12:08 am |
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| I support an increase in trail permits as long as OUR money is maintaining OUR trails for OUR sport. If the ATV guys and the horse backers and the hikers and the bikers want trails like WE have, they need to start paying out the fees like WE do. No other motorized sport in Michigan pays out more for permits and fees than snowmobilers do.
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auburntechnology.com
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Posted: Tue Oct 14th, 2008 05:54 am |
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| i agree they need to pay also. if they would pay also we would not have to have our fess increased. have each group $15 trail permit. they would fund trail maintence. signs, brush back , clean up, bridges, dnr slush fund.
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fishweb
Administrator
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Posted: Tue Oct 14th, 2008 05:02 pm |
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SNOWMOBILING IS THE WINTER ECONOMY IN MICHIGAN
If the Michigan Government was smart they would include trail maintenance and expansion in the State budget each year since it brings more money to the state than every other sport other than golf! It feed every business in northern Michigan whether they admit it or not. But again or Gov. is not to smart, she believes spending my money on free access bike trails is a big thing, NOT! So I would be happy to pay more as long as it goes to the trails and made sure that it does by the MSA and it's members like me. Do not make it cost more to out of state riders, they are the ones spending most of the money here. From my 30 years of experience the locals ride from home and eat at home. COME ON UP! I welcome you to ride with us locals. If I had it my way I would give out-of-state riders a discount on trail permits to help with gas cost to make sure they can get here. But that's just me. DMG
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snow-me-the-way
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Posted: Tue Oct 14th, 2008 11:31 pm |
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I live in central Indiana and snowmobile with the whole family. Currently I have 4 sleds and I am struggling to stay in the sport as it is and the last thing I want to see is more increases. I use to be able to take several trips a year but now I'm lucky to get in 3 or 4 a season with the rising cost of truck fuel, gas for the 4 sleds not to mension I use to be able to get a cabin for the four of us for around sixty dollars a night (I remember when it was a lot less) now a hotel room cost nearly a hundred bucks.
I totally understand the need for more dollars to be able to maintain the beautiful trails we all injoy so much but I think you/we need to look at alternative funding as well. I'm not a fan of raising taxes either but maybe the state could use some of the road tax that we pay at the pump for our sleds that don't use the roads could be allocated to the trail system. And like others have said I too think there needs to be some sort of fee for others that use the trail system.
I'm sure that the guys in Lansing are looking at every way possible to keep the outside snowmobile dollars coming in. Lets just hope they come up with something soon!
Just my thoughts!
Scott
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