On July 31, Representative Godshall, chairman of the House Tourism Committee had a hearing concerning the used of State Game Commission land by the public. PSSA was invited to be a participant in this hearing. The following is the testimony given by Lowell Morton, President of PSSA:

Good morning. Thank you for inviting me here this morning. I represent Snowmobiling ............ Pennsylvania's Coolest Ride. I am Lowell Morton, President of the Pennsylvania State Snowmobile Association - PSSA. Our organization speaks for approximately 15,000 snowmobilers throughout the state. PSSA membership is comprised of family and individual members, snowmobile dealers and what we call associate members. These associate members are motels, restaurants, tourist agencies, etc. As you can see PSSA represents all facets of the sport of snowmobiling.

I would like to give some background that I feel might help show why we have such a concern for snowmobile trails.

In a study completed by the Lebanon Valley College last year, the snowmobile “industry” in Pennsylvania contributes $160,782,120 million dollars per year to the economy of Pennsylvania. This includes snowmobiles purchased, registration and insurance fees, gasoline and oil, lodging, repairs and tax revenues generated for the state.

If we look at a couple of these areas as they might relate to tourism: Gasoline & oil purchased for snowmobiles $3,836,400 Lodging purchased during in-state trips 3,142,080 Food purchased during in-state trips 2,618,400 Gasoline & oil to transport snowmobiles 3,927,600

Contrary to what a lot of people might think, nine of the ten leading counties in the number of registered snowmobiles are not in what might be call the “snow belt” of Pennsylvania - the northern tier counties. These nine counties are in southeastern Pa. The folks in these counties will always have to travel to reach their snowmobiling destination.

This gives some of the background for what I would like to discuss this morning - snowmobile trails. Pennsylvania has around 2,500 miles of snowmobile trails. The problem is that a majority of these trails were established in the 1970’s when a ride of 30 miles was considered a good days ride. Or, another way the ride was measured was, you started out with 12 sparks plugs, when you had used six of them you turned around and headed home and hope the remaining six were enough to get you back.

Snowmobiles have changed since the seventies. No longer do we carry a dozen spark plugs and hope we get home - we might carry an extra two or three. I haven't had to replace a sparkplug in three or fours years of riding. We no long have snowmobiles that require premixed fuel. All of today's snowmobiles are oil injected. Today's snowmobiles have independent suspension and we ride in comfort. A ride of 150+ miles can be made with ease and in comfort. Two of the manufacturers have developed 4 stroke cycle engines that will made the snowmobiles run quieter and produce a lot less emissions

With this longer distance riding, yesterdays trails need to be reviewed and updated. In many areas a mile or two of connecting trails could result in maybe a one hundred mile ride instead of a 50 mile ride.

Presently there are 416 miles of snowmobile trails on state game lands and for this I thank the commission. PSSA does have some thoughts on snowmobile trails on game lands a. first, we do not want to have all game lands open to snowmobiling. b. we would like to sit down with game commission personnel and evaluate the feasibility of trails in certain areas. Opening a mile or two, or even in some situations half-mile, that connect with trails on either side the game lands could give many additional miles or riding. c. mark the snowmobile routes so the snowmobilers know where they are permitted to ride. d. I am sure clubs and individuals would work with the game commission to mark and maintain the trails in the highest condition.

As a member of the ad hoc committee that worked with the game commission on developing the changes in some of the regulations, these concerns were expressed there also. With some of the changes the committee have recommended I feel our concerns will be listened to and acted on in a favorable manner.

There are also many fragmented trail sections on many forests and state parks. A n example is a the lack of a bridge in the Bald Eagle State Forest blocks a trail that would extend the Colrain State Park, near Altoona to Williamsport. Our eventual goal is to have connecting trail system. A system that would make it possible to ride across the state east to west or north to south.

The Lebanon Valley study also showed snowmobilers took $6,618,000 out of the state each year on out-of-state trips. A good connected trail system might do two things for the state: 1. Keep a good portion of this $6.6 million in the state 2. Bring in additional dollars by attracting out-of-state snowmobilers to Pennsylvania trails.

Thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak on behalf of Pennsylvania snowmobilers.