Moving Forward – December 2021

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

May you have good health and many blessings throughout the year.

Clubs – if you have not done so already please send your updated club and contact information to: member@pasnow.org

Mini grant deadline- Paperwork for Mini-grant program is due. Checks for clubs who have completed all paperwork will be distributed by mid-December.

PLAN AHEAD – TWO IMPORTANT MEETINGS

Meeting #1 PSSA Informational Meeting – PSSA has not forgotten about your responses to our past survey. Yes, we are very interested in member comments, ideas, etc. Committees have been hard at work for the benefit of all snowmobilers. The Trail and Registration Committees have been having discussions concerning relevant issues which involve clubs, DCNR and PSSA. What does PSSA do? Please join us for a Zoom meeting on January 19. (You will also be able to participate in the meeting by phone) Information will be available in the January Keystone Snowmobiler.

Meeting #2 DCNR – PSSA is scheduling a meeting with DCNR personnel in January/February. We need all members to attend this meeting. Income/Expenses of running a snowmobile program across the state will be presented. Clubs are asked to review your last several years of income/expenses. Realistically, in a good snowmobile season what does it cost to maintain your trails/trailhead? Do you have a groomer / equipment replacement fund? How many hours/miles does your club groom? Maintain trails? What does a club do which does not groom? PSSA needs this kind of data from clubs to support our position on registration fee increases and ultimately have fair/equitable distribution of registration funds. Without pertinent data we have little to prove what PSSA and club expenses and needs are. Meeting information will be in the January issue of the Keystone Snowmobiler. Please join us for this Zoom meeting when date is announced.

affles- thank you to all who bought raffle tickets. Congratulations to our winners. They are posted on the PSSA website and in this edition of the Keystone Snowmobiler.

The following are DCNR meetings that several board members attend:

• SAAC – Snowmobile ATV Advisory Committee
• CNRAC – Conservation and Natural Resources Council
• PTAC – PA Trails Advisory Committee

One can find the minutes of the above meetings on the DCNR website: www.dcnr@pa.gov

In addition to the above PSSA is also represented on the following:

• USA – United Snowmobile Association – Composed of Presidents of North East Snowmobile States plus representatives of Colorado and California.
• ACSA – American Council of Snowmobile Associations – represents State Associations

Also:

• Ed Klim of the International Snowmobile Manufactures Association (ISMA) keeps all Associations up-to-date with major trends which can effect snowmobile recreation.

Other Information:

The ATV Pilot project is being closely monitored both by DCNR, PennDot, Municipalities and members of the PTAC. If you have comments positive/negative send them to DCNR.

Ride Command – see advertisement – PSSA does not have an official stance on this technology. Clubs are advised to use caution, check liability issues and have everything in writing.

OA – Maryland training for pilots – Maryland –check with your representatives – these training sessions involve low fly overs of designated areas in Pennsylvania. There is concern about the effect of noise and disturbance of wild life in these areas.

New to DCNR – SOLAR PANELS for parking on Presque Isle State Park. CHARGING STATIONS at designated parks. Will they accommodate electric sleds??

HB 478 is related to MOTORCYCLES and there use in the state.

SAFETY CLASSES- Please check the websites and the Keystone Snowmobiler for future dates.

Please take the snowmobile pledge…

Remember to Take the Pledge at https://snowmobilerspledge.com

Thank you to all our members, Board, Committees, Administrators and DCNR personnel for all your work and interest in promoting snowmobile recreation.

Think Snow – Erie has it!

Liz Krug, President PSSA