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Snowmobiling is a Year Around Activity
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ed Klim
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Haslett, MI (August 2, 2005) Over the last few months we have experienced some great hot summer weather. A few of us have experienced winter storms in Chile that required the use of snowmobiles to help save and feed people stranded in the rugged mountains. This hot August morning I was working, over the phone, with soldiers in Afghanistan who are preparing to use snowmobiles in their upcoming missions. Yes, it has been a busy summer and snowmobiling is a year around activity!
Enthusiasts, volunteers, regulators and employees work throughout the year on snowmobile related issues. In June 2005 the Utah Snowmobile Association hosted the International Snowmobile Congress, which was attended by over 500 snowmobile enthusiasts. The manufacturers are proud sponsors of the event, which this year featured speakers from around the globe and allowed snowmobilers to interact and share ideas. Next year's Congress promises to be a "must-go-to" event. The 2006 Congress is being sponsored by the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers in beautiful Burlington, VT.
Immediately following the International Snowmobile Congress, snowmobile clubs and associations planted trees across America. The tree planting activities garnered positive public relations for the local snowmobile communities. A few years from now, beautiful trees - planted by snowmobilers - will line snowmobile trails, roadways and pathways across North America. Your club and association is encouraged to participate in tree planting activities in the spring or fall of each year. Special arrangements have been made with the US Forest Service to obtain trees. The activity is being coordinated by the American Council of Snowmobile Associations (ACSA). In Canada events are being coordinated by the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations (CCSO).
We are in the process of updating the Safe Riders! safety campaign material. The material includes Snowmobiling Fact Books, posters, Public Service Announcements, decals and a 22 minute safety video that is used by safety trainers throughout the world. All of the Safe Riders! materials will be updated and ready for free distribution by mid August, 2005.
On July 13, 2005, we joined members of ACSA, the Personal Watercraft Industry Association (PWIA), the Blue Ribbon Coalition, the Motorcycle industry Council and others attending an OHV Congressional Hearing in Washington DC. Members of the United States Congress participated in active discussion on forest planning issues related to ATV use and other wheeled vehicle use. The snowmobile community was visible at the meeting to understand the issues discussed. We were present to protect the access positions snowmobilers have developed over the years, and to emphasize snowmobiles are over snow vehicles. We agree with the Forest Service position, "You can't wear out the snow."
The snowmobile manufacturers have introduced a new campaign designed to expand the snowmobiling market. The campaign is titled "Go Snowmobiling" and it features a new web site www.gosnowmobiling.org. The web site is designed specifically for non-snowmobilers and is meant to answer questions about snowmobiling and to provide information to non-snowmobilers on where to snowmobile, how to snowmobile, and how to join a club and association to improve the snowmobiling experience.
The manufacturers have created two snowmobiling TV spots which will be used to promote family snowmobiling. These spots will be used by CVB's and other Tourism related organizations in their advertising efforts to promote snowmobiling in their states or provinces. Public Television programs will feature the spots depicting family snowmobiling. The professionally developed spots are available free of charge from the ISMA office and can be requested through the web site. In addition, some new print public service announcements have been developed, depicting snowmobiling as a fun family activity. The "Go Snowmobiling" program is still in the development stage but is being warmly received and welcomed by snowmobilers and related businesses.
A summer wouldn't be complete without continuing activity on land access issues and in particular, Yellowstone National Park. As you may know, Yellowstone Park management is conducting another Environmental Impact Study, during which, they will consider all of the new technology machines, rules and regulations that have already been imposed on visitors to Yellowstone and more. I encourage you to send a short note to the Park Service expressing your views. You can receive some guidance for your written comments by visiting the ACSA web site at www.snowmobilers.org. During this summer I have been involved in the Public Engagement process for the next Yellowstone Winter Use Plan and it appears the Park service is working closely with all stake holders and will consider all input provided to them. This EIS will be very transparent. Yellowstone will be open to snowmobiling this winter, following the existing Winter Use Plan. Legal action to close the Park this winter WILL NOT occur due to a Congressional action protecting our right to snowmobile.
This summer I spent time in Quebec meeting with members of the FCMQ and the newly formed Quebec Snowmobile Commission. Over the summer there were 17 town-hall meetings held throughout the province to discuss off-highway vehicle recreation. Every meeting was attended by members of the FCMQ. I testified at the hearing held in Joliette, Quebec - a quaint town north of Montreal. We are anticipating a positive report to come from the Snowmobile Commission this fall. A lot of hard work went into telling the "truth about snowmobiling" story for Quebec authorities and we are confident our efforts and the efforts of snowmobile volunteers in Quebec were recognized. We believe recommendations by the Quebec Snowmobile Commission should have a positive influence on snowmobiling throughout Canada.
Yes, it has been a busy summer and there is still much more to do. It won't be long and we will all be checking the long range weather forecasts and I'm hopeful that you will view the ISMA web site at www.snowmobile.org and send me your upbeat heavy snow weather forecasts for the winter of 2005-2006.
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Safe Riders! Information
