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ALBANY---A total of $4.74 million in funding for 53 communities across the state for snowmobile trail maintenance has been awarded. The funds come on the heels of the "Snowmobile Rights and Responsibilities Act of 2005" legislation Gov. George Pataki signed last year that promotes new safety and trail maintenance guidelines for snowmobile owners and operators.
The local grants program is funded by snowmobile trail grant fees collected by the state Department of Motor Vehicles at the time of registration. State Parks administers the program with trail grant recipients receiving 70% of the grant immediately and the remaining 30% in the spring.
The Snowmobile Rights and Responsibility Act of 2005 - - which the Governor signed in October - - establishes duties and responsibilities for snowmobile owners and operators, and creates guidelines for snowmobile trail maintenance organizations.
Effective April 30, the law requires snowmobile owners to carry liability insurance when riding on lands not owned or leased by the operators, increases the registration fee for individuals who are not members of snowmobile clubs or trail maintenance organizations, increases the fine for operating an unregistered vehicle, and creates a 55 mile per hour speed limit on public trails and lands. In addition, children under the age of 10 may not ride on any lands other than those owned or leased by their parent or guardian.
In order to legally operate a snowmobile on public lands, children ages 10 through 13 must take a snowmobile safety course, obtain a snowmobile safety certificate, and be accompanied by a person over 18. Children 14 through 17 can ride when accompanied by an adult or ride as an adult only if they have taken a safety course and obtained a snowmobile safety certificate. The act will take effect in 180 days.
Snowmobiling is a highly popular winter recreational activity in New York and there are more than 10,000 miles of designated trails across the state. New York ranks fourth in the nation in total snowmobile registrations, with nearly 170,000, and is among the leading states in state-sponsored trail mileage.
State Parks publishes the New York State Snowmobile Corridor Trails Map 2004-2006 which highlights the state corridor trails. The vast majority of snowmobile trails are located on private land open to the public for recreational activity. The comprehensive trail system and trail assistance program provides snowmobile riders with designated trails and prevents the use of snowmobiles on prohibited land.
Working with the New York State Snowmobile Association, the portion of the registration fee which is dedicated to the snowmobile program was increased last year.
The $4,742,506.25 in grant awards for this year are as follows:
Albany
| Town of Berne | $15,400.00 |
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| Town of Knox | $ 5,000.00 |
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| Broome County | $ 49,150.00 |
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| Cattaraugus County | $190,737.50 |
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| Cayuga County | $ 93,575.00 |
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| Chautauqua County | $184,712.50 |
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| Chemung County | Town of Van Etten | $ 7,025.00 |
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| Chenango County | $127,150.00 |
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| Clinton County | $158,550.00 |
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| Cortland County | $126,900.00 |
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| Delaware County | $141,450.00 |
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| Erie County | $218,037.50 |
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| Essex County | $ 80,825.00 |
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| Franklin County | $139,325.00 |
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| Fulton County | $ 89,962.50 |
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| Genesee County | $104,737.50 |
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| Greene County | Town of Hunter | $ 12,225.00 |
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| Hamilton County | Town of Arietta | $ 41,450.00 |
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| Town of Indian Lake | $ 12,175.00 |
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| Town of Inlet | $ 12,500.00 |
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| Town of Lake Pleasant | $ 31,600.00 |
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| Town of Long Lake | $ 41,500.00 |
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| Town of Morehouse | $ 13,600.00 |
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| Town of Wells | $ 20,250.00 |
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| Herkimer County | $228,700.00 |
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| Jefferson County | $ 86,287.50 |
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| Lewis County | $279,543.75 |
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| Livingston County | $ 15,375.00 |
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| Madison County | $126,018.75 |
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| Monroe County | $ 40,450.00 |
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| Montgomery County | $ 79,525.00 |
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| Niagara County | $ 33,550.00 |
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| Oneida County | $241,400.00 |
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| Onondaga County | $ 94,000.00 |
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| Ontario County | $ 35,550.00 |
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| Orleans County | $ 54,300.00 |
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| Oswego County | $172,325.00 |
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| Otsego County | $121,850.00 |
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| Rensselaer County | $ 47,325.00 |
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| St. Lawrence County | $223,675.00 |
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| Saratoga County | $ 73,125.00 |
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| Schenectady County | $ 14,125.00 |
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| Schoharie County | $ 90,200.00 |
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| Schuyler County | $ 51,900.00 |
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| Steuben County | $ 29,600.00 |
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| Sullivan County | $ 16,100.00 |
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| Tioga County | $ 64,550.00 |
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| Tompkins County | $ 35,300.00 |
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| Warren County | $108,031.25 |
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| Washington County | $130,312.50 |
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| Wayne County | $ 58,825.00 |
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| Wyoming County | $120,062.50 |
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1-13-06
© 2005 North
Country Gazette
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