DRAG of Speculator

Everyone needs to send in comments. Time is short.

The APA is accepting public comment until March 4, 2008 on State Land Master Plan interpretation issues regarding Snowmobile Trail Mileage on Wild Forest lands in the Adirondack Park Forest Preserve. Deadline is March 4 so there's not much time.

The problem is that the DEC is interpreting the "no material increase" guidelines in such a way that if the state acquires private land with existing trails, they are added to the total trail mileage that counts towards the 848.88 mile cap. Even if the trails are on existing roads! So for example if there are 805 miles of snowmobile trail within the Forest Preserve, DEC purchases land that has 70 miles of snowmobile trail making the total snowmobile trail mileage on Forest Preserve 875 miles; 26.12 miles would be considered a material increase and would have to be removed from the system.

This affects every snowmobiler in the state. It will limit riding opportunities. And if the DEC gets away with this in the Adirondacks, it will set a precedent and at the urging of the environmental extremists they'll go after trails on state land everywhere.

We need to stop this madness before it gets to that point.

The attached flier is something I made up based on the New York State Snowmobile Association "Talking Points" memo posted at www.nyssnowassoc.org and the actual APA press release. These fliers were handed out last weekend at the Sno Fest at Oak Mountain in Speculator and are already posted on the Pleasant Riders and Brantingham club web sites.

Every snowmobiler in the state needs to see this and submit comments before the March 4 deadline. Individuals should write their own letter and NYSSA is specifically urging club presidents to write on behalf of their membership. There is a sample letter available on the Pleasant Riders club web site www.pleasantriders.klink.net.

I'm suggesting that copies be sent to state assemblywoman Teresa Sayward and Senator Betty Little, who represent the Adirondacks, as well as to your local state representatives.

Teresa Sayward
LOB 940
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5565
http://www.assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=113&sh=con


Betty Little
903 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12247
http://www.senatorlittle.com/45/Contact.aspx



Actually, the 848.88 mile cap is bogus to begin with. An article in the North Country Gazette article posted February 25 talks about this:

Fish and Wildlife Management Board of NYS Region 5 is opposing