SNOWMOBILING ON FOREST SERVICE LANDS BEING CHALLENGED BY NON-MOTORIZED GROUPS As you know, the WWA, is a national non-profit organization dedicated to"promoting and preserving winter wildlands and quality human-powered snowsports experience on public lands". They work endlessly to do everything they can to force the Forest Service to severely restrict or eliminate our use.
You may recall the WWA petitioned the Forest Service a couple of years ago challenging the Travel Management Rule, specifically the over-snow vehicle (OSV) exclusion. You may recall that over-snow use was treated differently than summer uses for good reasons; we have different impacts. Last year at our Fly-In the Forest Service announced their response to the Petition, which upheld the OSV exclusion. That did not work so now they are trying in the courts.
WE NEED YOU AT THE DC FLY-IN! HELP US PROTECT SNOWMOBILING Don't let Congress turn back the clock on decades of hard-fought progress toward creating a more snowmobile-friendly America. Join us at the 2012 DC Fly-In to help defend critical funding programs and maintain the access we have to our public lands.
ACSA is the proud sponsor of the Snowmobile Fly-In. This event is held annually and is the premier snowmobile -- motorized recreation event in our nation's capital. It brings snowmobilers from all over the country together to influence lawmakers and share strategies. ACSA ensures that snowmobilers are working together -- as a unified front.
Join other snowmobile leaders as we unite for three powerful days in Washington, DC.
ARCTIC CAT, POLARIS AND YAMAHA TO INTRODUCE 2013 MODELS THIS SPRING In a series of 22 locations across the snowbelt, Arctic Cat, Polaris and Yamaha will give snowmobilers a "Sneak Peek" at their new models for 2013. Each manufacturer will display 15-18 sleds. That's 50+ new snowmobiles for 2013 displayed on one show floor all at the same time.
Snowmobilers can see, touch, sit on and inspect the sleds that will be at their dealer in the fall. Final decisions and taking advantage of the special incentives offered during the spring buying programs can be made with hands-on inspection of the various models.
Outdoor events may have an admission charge and show times will follow that event's schedule. Indoor events are from 4-9:00 PM with free admission.
FOREST SERVICE ENCOURAGES SNOWMOBILE TRAVELERS TO EXERCISE CAUTION RUTLAND, VT. Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF) officials are recommending that snowmobilers exercise caution when operating on the Forest, and all lands, in Vermont this winter. GMNF officials remind snowmobile enthusiasts to heed to all gates and signs and to stay off of roads and trails that were damaged and remain closed due to Hurricane Irene. Weather permitting, snowmobile use is allowed on designated trails within the GMNF for four months beginning on December 16, and ending on April 15, 2012. "Given the significant number of injuries and fatalities that have occurred in recent years we are concerned about user safety. Patrols which are aimed at enforcing rules and regulations, monitoring trail conditions and providing visitor information will occur ...
ACROSS THE COUNTRY, NOVEMBER 2011: ARE YOU A GREAT LEADER? Great leaders recognize that leadership doesn’t just happen - it takes work. They recognize that we lead with and through people. They lead by reaching people and connecting with them. Great leaders are also great communicators. They make sure to communicate the following three critical items:
Expectations - Expectations drive action and action drives results. When people understand the expectations, they strive to meet them. Once they meet those expectations, they feel a great deal of personal satisfaction and pride.
Support - Great leaders are great supporters. Everyone knows the leader will be there to support and assist in achieving the expectations. Most people do not want to take on challenges alone, but when you know that ...
ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2010 THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT RULED AGAINST THE FOREST SERVICE IN A CASE INVOLVING THE HURON-MANISTEE NATIONAL FOREST Kurt Meister v. USDA Forest Service; Case No 091712:
On September 29, 2010 the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled against the Forest Service in a case involving the Huron-Manistee National Forest.
The Court ruled:
Forest Service estimates of snowmobile and cross-country visitor use were arbitrary; thus not complying with 36 .F.R. § 219.21(a)(2)’s requirement of a demand-supply analysis.
The Forest Service did not coordinate its recreational planning with the State of Michigan with the aim (to the extent feasible) of 'reducing duplication in meeting recreation demands’ with respect to gun hunting and snowmobiling (36 C.F.R. § 19.21(e)(2000)).
Forest Service rationale for keeping pre-designation and ...
ENJOY THE VALUE OF MEMBERSHIP AT SAM'S CLUB! RECEIVE A $25 SAM'S CLUB GIFT CARD WHEN YOU JOIN OR RENEW AS A PLUS MEMBER. Receive a $25 Sam's Club Gift Card when you join or renew as a Plus Member or receive a $10 Sam's Club Gift Card when you join or renew as a Business or Advantage Member. Courtesy of the American Council of Snowmobile Associations. Download the Sam's Club certificate...
WHY THE RECREATIONAL TRAILS PROGRAM IS SO IMPORTANT! RECREATIONAL TRAILS PROGRAM
The Recreational Trails Program is funded from a small portion of the federal gas tax that is paid by off road recreation enthusiasts. Only gas put into our recreation vehicles is calculated. These dollars have been crucial to the snowmobile community for funds for construction of bridges, trailheads and the maintenance of the thousands of miles of first class snowmobile trails across the United States.
This program is currently funded through September 30, 2011.
The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) was created by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA), reauthorized in 1998 as part of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) and reauthorized again in 2005 through ...
2012 GO SNOWMOBILING "TAKE A FRIEND SNOWMOBILING" CAMPAIGN The snowmobile manufacturers, through ISMA, are excited to partner with the organized snowmobiling community and the many snowmobile associations and clubs who support snowmobiling throughout North America. This unique industry partnership is pleased to announce a contest featuring a $5000 cash prize to the state snowmobile association member of ACSA and a $5000 cash prize to the provincial snowmobile association member of CCSO that organizes and promotes a Go Snowmobiling Ride campaign in their state or province.
The Campaign is designed to encourage the associations to work with their local snowmobile clubs, Visitors and Convention Bureaus, and other interested parties in developing and holding snowmobile demonstration rides this winter.
SUGGESTED COMMENTS ON THE FOREST SERVICE PLANNING RULE-DUE MAY 16, 2011
The Due Date for Comments on Forest Service Planning Rule proposal is May 16, 2011. The following are comments you copy and paste. I suggest that you use parts of them -- not all of them. I also suggest you personalize your comments -- which is very easy. Explain how you use the Forests...is it recreation in general or snowmobiling specific? Do you use the Forest only in your area or many forests in multiple states? Have you taken others to the Forest Service that have never been to a National Forest? How important are the Forests to the local community?
All comments must be submitted electronically. The web address for submitting comments is:
SNOWMOBILERS STOCK FISH IN BACKCOUNTRY VOLUNTEERS RIDE IN, DROP FISH IN BEAVER PONDS MORGAN, Vt. -- Snowmobiling season is just wrapping up, but before the snowmobiles are put away for next year, some winter enthusiasts are taking a ride to make sure you have a better fishing season. They’re taking their sleds into the backcountry to make sure the fish are biting when you get there this summer.
Inside a small, snow-covered building in Morgan there's a hatchery where things are an exact science.
"There we are exactly at 4 (ounces). So that's about 400," Hatchery volunteer Pete Engel said.
Four ounces means 400 tiny brook trout also known as fry. They’re measured and poured into a Ziploc bag. The bag is pumped with oxygen, sealed airtight and packed into a cooler filled with snow.
"We try to get them out in the morning early so that the snow is ...
NOMINATE YOUR FAVORITE TRAIL FOR CRT AWARD Dear Trail Enthusiast: The Coalition for Recreational Trails, a federation of national and regional trail-related organizations, is pleased to announce its 2011 achievement awards to recognize outstanding trail projects funded by the national Recreational Trails Program (RTP). The awards will be presented on June 15th in Washington, D.C. during Great Outdoors Week 2011 (June 13-19) as part of the Coalition’s ongoing effort to build awareness and appreciation of this highly successful program, which has greatly enhanced the quantity and quality of trail experiences available to the public. We will be holding the awards ceremony on Capitol Hill and will encourage Members of Congress to join us in honoring the outstanding achievements of their constituents.
12TH ANNUAL CLEAN SNOWMOBILE CHALLENGE Houghton County, Michigan -- Clarkson University was the overall winner in the 12th Annual Clean Snowmobile Challenge held over the past week at Michigan Tech's Keweenaw Research Center. Clarkson took top prize in the internal combustion category and third place in the zero emissions category.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison took second, with Idaho, SUNY Buffalo, and The University of Wisconsin-Platteville rounding out the top five overall.
The local team, Michigan Tech, was sixth overall.
The Clean Snowmobile Challenge is a collegiate design competition of the Society of Automotive Engineers.
Engineering students from participating schools take a stock snowmobile and re-engineer it with the goal of reducing emissions and noise ...
GODSPEED TO EDGAR HETTEEN THE FOUNDER OF ARCTIC CAT AND INDUSTRY PIONEER DIES AT AGE 90 Thief River Falls, Minn., (Feb. 16, 2011) - Edgar Hetteen has passed. The legendary founder of Arctic Cat, co-founder of Polaris and "grandfather" of snowmobiling died on Saturday, February 12, in Grand Rapids, Minn. He was 90 years old.
An innovative visionary who turned the concept of an over-the-snow machine into a playful winter pastime, Edgar made deep, lasting tracks that led to a new means of experiencing winter.
"Edgar did more than just make tracks," said Roger Skime, Vice President of Engineering at Arctic Cat, "He broke a trail. From the frozen farmlands of Northwest Minnesota to every state, province and country that has snow. Along the way he built a company, nurtured an industry and shaped ...
PLAN ON ATTENDING THE WASHINGTON DC FLY-IN, MARCH 26-29 The snowmobilers first Stormed the Hill in 1999 -- carry the message of snowmobilers from the trails and meadows to lawmakers in Washington, DC. The trip is now an annual event with the snowmobile community gathering on Capitol Hill every spring.
Advocating for access for snowmobilers and promoting the value of organized snowmobiling to legislators and policymakers is an important priority for
ATTENTION ALL SNOWMOBILERS: IT'S IMPORTANT FOR SNOWMOBILERS TO COMMENT ON HURON-MANISTEE NATIONAL FORESTS PLAN THAT COULD ELIMINATE SNOWMOBILE TRAILS
We reported earlier that your snowmobile riding opportunities in the Huron-Manistee National Forests are in danger of being taken away due to a lawsuit alleging that hunters and snowmobiler's receive preferential treatment compared to "quiet users." As a result the U.S. Forest Service has been forced by a federal appeals court to consider banning hunting and snowmobiling in the 'semi-primitive non-motorized areas' of these two forests. It has chosen to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS). While the Forest Service is currently in the process of gathering public 'scoping' comments about what should be considered during this SEIS process, it is important to understand this is just the first, very general step in ...
The legendary founder of Arctic Cat, co-founder of Polaris and "grandfather" of snowmobiling died on Saturday, February 12, in Grand Rapids, Minn. He was 90 years old. 
