County receives snowmobile grant funds
Eight area snowmobile clubs that maintain trails in Cattaraugus County will benefit from annual snowmobile registration fees collected by New York State.
New York State office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation recently awarded Cattaraugus County, the municipal sponsor, $56,893.26 in funding to help improve and maintain the 388 miles of funded snowmobile trails in Cattaraugus County. The additional 90 miles of trails in Allegany State Park are funded separately.
Clubs receiving funds include:
Ashford Snowmobile Club, Inc. ................................. $ 2,349.35
Elibomwons, Inc. .............................................. $ 8,667.14
Enchanted Mountain Snowmobile Club, Inc ....................... $ 7,018.92
Franklinville Snowsled Club, .................................. $ 9,997.37
Snow Bounders, Inc. ........................................... $ 18,107.77
Southern Tier Snowdrifters, Inc. .............................. $ 3,513.66
Tri-County Drift Hoppers, Inc. ................................ $ 5,439.33
Western New York Snowmobile Club of Boston, Inc. .............. $ 1 ,799.72
The current rates for snowmobile registrations are $25 for resident and $35 for non-residents. Some of these funds then come back to the communities in the form of Trail Grant that combine with volunteer efforts to improve and maintain the trails.
"It is important to note that these are not tax dollars," said Jess Fitzpatrick, chair of the county Legislature. "In fact, it is just the opposite. The grant money comes from snowmobile registration fees and improves trail safety and conditions that in turn bring snowmobilers to our area which helps boost the economy in the county and improve our tax base."
Representatives from the Federation of Snowmobile Clubs, Inc. attended a special ceremony in the Cattaraugus County legislative chambers to accept the grant money from the county Legislature. The Cattaraugus County Federation of Snowmobile Clubs, Inc., comprised of representation from all eight active snowmobile clubs in the county, prepared the application on behalf of the county and will handle distribution of the funds to all eight clubs receiving funding this year. Federation President Tom Hill and Trail Coordinator Andy Rupp have coordinated this extensive process whereby all the clubs access trail funding through one municipal sponsor (Cattaraugus County). All clubs stressed the fact that credit for the 388-mile trail system goes first and foremost to the landowners for their cooperation, without which, none of this would be possible. The intent of the statewide system is to keep snowmobilers on clearly designated trails rather than on lands where their use is not permitted.
Cattaraugus County Department of Economic Development, Planning & Tourism, along with county legislators and Senator Patricia McGee have worked on assisting the Snowmobile Federation to secure funding from New York State.
Thomas Livak, department director, emphasized the importance that snowmobiling plays in the economy. "The economic potential is there to build upon," explained Livak, "especially when one considers our close proximity to thousands of snowmobilers."
The statewide interconnected trail system also promotes "snowmobile touring" that is a growing activity among snowmobiling enthusiasts that contributes to tourism economy. The county has included snowmobile trails on their travel guide map for the first time, giving both residents and visitors a helpful guide for getting around the trail system.
The Enchanted Mountains Web site ( enchantedmountains.info ) is also used as a means to promote snowmobiling as well. Any businesses located on snowmobile trails that would like to be listed in the snowmobile section of the Web site may contact Gary Cappelletti, Web technician, at 938-9111, extension 2305. Snowmobilers are always looking for businesses that can accommodate their parking needs, so the Web site promotes those businesses that welcome them.
Snowmobilers are known for driving for hours to reach key destinations in Canada, the Adirondacks and New England, but Western New York offers an excellent option. Snowmobiling has become a major economic engine for some communities already with daily expenditures reaching $100 per snowmobiler. The total economic impact (direct and indirect spending) in NYS is estimated at $750 million, which amounts to nearly $4,000 per year, per registered sled. The reason for such significant impacts are largely due to the shift in the sport. Snowmobiling has become more of a touring activity where enthusiasts ride 100 to 200 miles per day spending substantial amounts of money on fuel, food and lodging, which also means sales tax revenues for the county. New York State currently has well over 8,000 miles of funded trails providing excellent "touring" opportunities for the snowmobiler.
For more information on Snowmobiling in the Enchanted Mountains of Cattaraugus County, contact Cattaraugus County Tourism at 1-800-331-0543.