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MSA News & Snowmobiling Issues
Issues in the sport: Legislative Session Ends with Snowmobile Issues Settled Mostly for the Good; MSA Directors Reiterate Opposition to National Park The First Session of the 125th Legislature ended on June 29 with several issues of interest going right down to the final days of the session. All in all, the session ended fairly well for snowmobilers. Following is a quick recap of issues the MSA worked on during the final months of the session: LD-254, "An Act To Amend the Standards by Which Game Wardens May Stop All-terrain Vehicles Operating on Private Property," finally passed the full Legislature, and became law without the Governor's signature. The bill, which had been the subject of endless debate, was supported by the MSA, ATV Maine and all landowner groups. It establishes the same standards for ATV stops by law enforcement personnel as had currently existed for snowmobiles and boats. LD-533, "An Act To Clarify the Use of Tax Increment Financing Funds for Recreational Development," passed and signed into law. This bill will allow communities with approval of the Department of Economic and Community Development to use tax increment financing funds (TIFFs) to improve infrastructure for trails. LD-641, "An Act to Allow a Portion of Snowmobile Registration Fees to be Used for the Repair of Trail-grooming Equipment," passed and was signed into law. It allows the Department of Conservation to authorize funds from the capital equipment grant program to be used for major repairs of grooming equipment, subject to program rules. The equipment grant rules were recently revised and have no provision for repair grants, but the Trails Find Advisory Council has agreed to review that provision in the future, subject to the availability of funds. LD-293, "An Act To Waive Snowmobile Registration Requirements for Canadians Riding on Maine Trails," was killed in committee in May. Unfortunately, the MSA did not fare as well with LD-993, "An Act To Allow a Snowmobile Registered in New Hampshire To Be Operated in This State" would have reinstated snowmobile registration reciprocity with New Hampshire. The MSA was unsuccessful in their efforts to kill the bill, but the final version establishes a "free weekend" determined by the Commissioner of IF&W for bordering states and provinces that offer the same accommodation to Maine riders. The bill also contains a sunset provision, meaning that it is in effect for two years and then must be re-authorized by the Legislature. LD-1354, "An Act To Require a Person To Carry Liability Insurance on a Snowmobile," was opposed by the MSA and IF&W and was killed in committee. LD-839, "Resolve, To Study Motor Fuel and Fuel Additives and To Explore Alternatives to Ethanol Motor Fuel," failed passage, but the Appropriations Committee did authorizing the expenditure of $5,000 to the Department of Environmental Protection to convene a stakeholder group to study motor fuel and fuel additives and related health and business effects and to report to the Legislature. Additional information on ethanol at the federal level by Senator Susan Collins appears on page 2 of the September issue of The Maine Snowmobiler. Noticeably absent from this legislative session was the use of gimmicks to help balance the state's budget. In previous sessions, the use of various budget tricks regarding state employee head counts had resulted in funds being "swept" from the snowmobile trail fund. There are also several bills of interest to the MSA that have been carried over to the second session of the Legislature, which will begin in January. That shortened session is expected to be dominated by the supplemental budget. MSA Directors reiterate opposition to a national park The prospect of a north woods national park saw the light of day again early this spring when Roxanne Quimby proposed donating 70,000 acres of her property between the East Branch of the Penobscot River and Baxter State Park to the federal government for the creation of a national park. The proposal has generated controversy since it was introduced and will likely dominate the news in the region in the months and years ahead. Quimby introduced her proposal for the park and request for support for a feasibility study at a public meeting at the Northern Timber Cruisers' clubhouse on May 5. The proposal instantly drew praise from environmentalists and some area businesses, and sharp criticism from sportsmen, most of Maine's congressional delegation, area legislators and the MSA. On June 15, Maine Senate President Kevin Raye presented SP-0519, a "Joint Resolution Memorializing the President of the United States, The United States Secretary of the Interior and the United States Congress to Oppose the Creation of a National Park in Maine's North Woods." The Resolution, which had been drafted by the MSA and mirrored a similar one passed by the Legislature in 2001, passed by a vote of 31-3 in the Senate and by unanimous consent in the House. The United States Congress must approve a feasibility study for a national park, and most of Maine's congressional delegation have been vocal in their strong opposition to a national park unless there was demonstrated local support. This has been the framework of the debate during the summer months, with various organizations announcing support or opposition to the proposal. Quimby and her land managers have made several appearances at public and private forums in the regions over the summer month. The debate took an ugly turn in early August when at two meetings between Quimby land managers from the James Sewall Company in Old Town and local snowmobile clubs that had trails on Quimby's property. At both those meetings, Quimby's representative informed clubs that she wanted letters of support for the feasibility study and that in exchange, she would allow continued use on her land for another season. This threat was made in spite of repeated assurances from Quimby in the past that she was committed to keeping critical snowmobile trails in the region open. At their meeting on August 16, MSA directors voted unanimously to reiterate their opposition to the creation of a national park in the Maine woods, a position the MSA has held since 2001. The following day the MSA issued a press release stating their opposition to the park and criticizing Quimby land managers for their attempt to coerce local snowmobile clubs into supporting the proposal. "WeĠre disappointed that Ms. Quimby and her land managers feel the need to threaten the volunteers of these snowmobile clubs with a loss of access in order to advance their agenda," said MSA Executive Director Bob Meyers. "Our members have the highest respect for the rights of private landowners, but to hold a gun to the heads of these volunteers is disgraceful. We believe it speaks volumes to the level of support that is really out there for Quimby's park proposal." "It's ironic", said Meyers "that while Ms. Quimby speaks of her desire to spark economic activity in the region at public meetings; behind the scenes she and her representatives are threatening the livelihoods of dozens of small family-owned businesses in towns like Medway, Mount Chase, Patten and Brownville." (Click here to view the full press release.) The following week, the MSA received a statement from Sewall Company Communications Director Lisa Schoonmaker stating, "On behalf of Elliotsville Plantation, Inc. (EPI), IĠm writing to inform you that EPI intends to keep the snowmobile trails open this winter independently of whether a snowmobile club or clubs support a feasibility study of the 70,000-acre proposed national park in the Penobscot East Branch region." The MSA issued a statement: "We're pleased that Ms. Quimby and her associates have reconsidered their previous decision," said Meyers. "The decision to turn control of thousands of acres of land over to the federal government is a serious one, and efforts to control the discussion through intimidation were inappropriate. We're pleased this misadventure is behind us and look forward to everyone participating in this serious discussion in the months and years ahead free of constraints." It appeared that the issues was settled, but at the end of August a park proponent in the area circulated an e-mail to local clubs purporting to be representing Roxanne Quimby and requesting their presence at a private meeting in mid-September to clear up "misunderstandings" about the continued use of snowmobiles on Quimby's lands. An attached unsigned letter that is claimed to be from Quimby saying "no agreements have been reached between me and the local snowmobile clubs concerning access to my land this winter. I fully intend to proceed with a previously scheduled meeting with representatives of local clubs of your choosing, by invitation only, in mid September. I am drafting a "win-win" proposal for us to discuss at this meeting. My intention is to negotiate an agreement that does more that address one year; I want an agreement that will meet both our needs and be everlasting. The agreement I am composing will meet the snowmobiler's needs and hopefully you and the club members will support a feasibility study and my desire for a National Park." It is unclear at this point what if any outcome will result from this or what will likely be dozens of meetings and forums in the months ahead. Further park news will be published in the Maine Snowmobiler, or if immediate action is needed, via the MSA's alert list. Report of the Snowmobile Trail Funding Survey: This is the report on the results of the Snowmobile Trail Grooming Funding Survey that was undertaken in the winter and spring of 2011 by Dr. Stephen Reiling of the University of Maine Orono in conjunction with the MSA Trails Committee. The study was funded as part of the MSA Trails Committee contract with the Department of Conservation this past season. There was a great response from clubs and municipal projects across the state, and the results are interesting reading - see what folks think here:Click here to view the report. TOP OF PAGE |