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Snowmobilers Gain Recognition in Iowa
Legislature; Fines also Increased
By Cameron Hanson
Editor, Iowa Snowmobiler
In December, the ISSA Emergency Funding and Legislative
Committee identified snowmobile inclusion on corridor trails as a top
priority for the 2007 Legislative Session. With help from ISSA Lobbyists
Mike Heller and Paula Feltner, the ISSA was specifically looking to
redefine the term “multi-use” to guarantee inclusion of all user groups in
new trail planning.
“Many users are now being eliminated from trail usage in the planning
process,” reads the ISSA’s Legislative Bullet Points for 2007. “(Our
proposed legislation) would provide for automatic inclusion for all user
groups on corridor trails and shared corridors.”
Gaining access to railroad corridors is integral to the ISSA’s plan. As
of October, there were 12 railroad grades in various stages of
abandonment in Iowa. In many cases, the Iowa Trails Council has already
initiated the process to convert those grades into recreational trails, and
the ISSA has since been playing catch-up to ensure snowmobiler’s needs
are addressed.
When the Iowa Legislature adjourned April 29, the ISSA learned its
top goal for 2007 had been achieved. Thanks to their lobbying efforts,
Iowa snowmobilers supported the Senate initiative to bond for trails and
to provide that those funds could be used for dual snowmobile/equestrian
trails.
"The amendment is the first time that the Iowa Legislature has enacted
legislation that specifically recognized that snowmobiles have a legitimate
place in the trail system and the first time the Legislature has sent a strong
message that they want the Iowa trail system to maximize the number of
users," Heller said. "It is a big step for snowmobilers in Iowa."
Overall, Heller said 2007 was a "very good year" for snowmobilers. In
addition to the language bill, the IDNR-initiated and ISSA-supported
legislation on fine increases, fees and general clean-up of the ATV and
snowmobile legislation was passed. "As you may remember, the fine
provisions were included in our initial legislation that split the ATV and
snowmobile chapters a few years ago," Heller said. The changes will go
into effect July 1, now that the Governor has signed the bill.
On the other hand, the Kettering bill to reimburse the $1 million
depleted from state snowmobile program reserves in 2002 failed to gain
any traction, and many ISSA board members are reluctantly coming to
terms that this much-needed reimbursement may never materialize.
Legislature; Fines also Increased
By Cameron Hanson
Editor, Iowa Snowmobiler
In December, the ISSA Emergency Funding and Legislative
Committee identified snowmobile inclusion on corridor trails as a top
priority for the 2007 Legislative Session. With help from ISSA Lobbyists
Mike Heller and Paula Feltner, the ISSA was specifically looking to
redefine the term “multi-use” to guarantee inclusion of all user groups in
new trail planning.
“Many users are now being eliminated from trail usage in the planning
process,” reads the ISSA’s Legislative Bullet Points for 2007. “(Our
proposed legislation) would provide for automatic inclusion for all user
groups on corridor trails and shared corridors.”
Gaining access to railroad corridors is integral to the ISSA’s plan. As
of October, there were 12 railroad grades in various stages of
abandonment in Iowa. In many cases, the Iowa Trails Council has already
initiated the process to convert those grades into recreational trails, and
the ISSA has since been playing catch-up to ensure snowmobiler’s needs
are addressed.
When the Iowa Legislature adjourned April 29, the ISSA learned its
top goal for 2007 had been achieved. Thanks to their lobbying efforts,
Iowa snowmobilers supported the Senate initiative to bond for trails and
to provide that those funds could be used for dual snowmobile/equestrian
trails.
"The amendment is the first time that the Iowa Legislature has enacted
legislation that specifically recognized that snowmobiles have a legitimate
place in the trail system and the first time the Legislature has sent a strong
message that they want the Iowa trail system to maximize the number of
users," Heller said. "It is a big step for snowmobilers in Iowa."
Overall, Heller said 2007 was a "very good year" for snowmobilers. In
addition to the language bill, the IDNR-initiated and ISSA-supported
legislation on fine increases, fees and general clean-up of the ATV and
snowmobile legislation was passed. "As you may remember, the fine
provisions were included in our initial legislation that split the ATV and
snowmobile chapters a few years ago," Heller said. The changes will go
into effect July 1, now that the Governor has signed the bill.
On the other hand, the Kettering bill to reimburse the $1 million
depleted from state snowmobile program reserves in 2002 failed to gain
any traction, and many ISSA board members are reluctantly coming to
terms that this much-needed reimbursement may never materialize.