RSC - Iowa Snowmobiler

On Sept. 11, 2017, the ISSA signed a cooperative agreement with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to assume control of the snowmobile trail grant process and the distribution of more than two-thirds of the snowmobile registration fees collected annually. The contract also transferred ownership of the groomer fleet to the ISSA, and administration of the program now falls on the Iowa Snowmobile Trail Grant Program (ISTGP) for approving grant requests and on the ISSA’s Emergency Funding Committee (EFC) for issuing payments. Past ISSA Presidents Chris Willey and Terry Durby serve in permanent administrative positions on those subcommittees. Below is the RSC roster. Please use the following email address to contact the ISTPG: ISSA.RSC@gmail.com.

Permanent Administrative Positions

Chris Willey, Past ISSA President/Groomer Training Coordinator

Terry Durby, Past ISSA President

Members By Position

John Kahler, ISSA President

Matt Miner, ISSA Vice President

Members By Election

Randy Magg (Western representative)

John Gallentine (Central representative)

Mark Kuennen (Eastern representative)

Iowa DNR Representative

Jessica Flatt

With the exception of a member from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the Iowa Snowmobile Trail Grant Program is an all-volunteer board, consisting of ISSA officials and representatives from three regions across Iowa. This board represents all registered snowmobilers in Iowa.

by Chris Willey

ISTGP Co-Administrator

Posted 5.13.24

As we work on wrapping up last season, a couple reminders for everyone from the Iowa Snowmobile Trail Grant Program (ISTGP). First, all entries are can be made on the Groomer Tracking Systems (GTS) website at ia.groomertrackingsystems.com.

The GPS trackers create a log entry automatically when you are grooming and you can also create a manual entry in the SNARS program for grooming, non grooming and repairs. When these are created, they are submitted to the database at the club level. We are not able to see these entries until you submit them to the state level. This allows you to review all of your club's entries before they go to the state level.

We are working on getting the grooming miles and smaller in-season repairs reimbursed first. We then will move to the Major Repairs and Grant requests for next season.

Using SNARS for the Grants this year is going to be a little different but easier.

The Grant Form will be your formal request for a trail grant for the upcoming season. This is due June 1 and remains the same as it always has. This includes:

Your club's up-to-date contact information
Request to be paid by the mile
Use of a state groomer and upgrade
Trail improvements

The Major Repair tab Is where you submit any repair needs or upgrades outside of the Basic Maintenance covered by the $$$/Mile The Trail Sign form is self explanatory.

The ISTGP Committee will be meeting in the June/July time frame to review these and set the budget for next season. Overall the transition to the new way of doing things has gone well. There have been some delays and bugs to work out, but we expected that. I appreciate everyone's help and understanding on finding those issues and working with us to get them fixed.

As always if you have any questions you can contact any of the committee members, message on here or email the issa.rsc@gmail.com.

The Iowa Snowmobile Trail Grant Program oversees grooming operations in Iowa and determines equipment placement with clubs. In order to operate a groomer, an operator must become certified by the program. Below are the steps to becoming a certified groomer operator in Iowa:

Apply to the program and authorize a driver's license check.
Email issa.rsc@gmail.com for application.
Attend a new groomer operator training.
Complete a mentorship with a certified groomer.
See below for training checklist. Return training checklist to program to complete certification process.

Certification card is issued by program. Anyone operating snow grooming equipment must possess a valid driver's license and a certified groomer operator card issued by the IDNR. For more information or if your club would like to host a groomer recertification course, contact ISSA Groomer Training Coordinator Chris Willey at (563) 920-9010 or ISSA.RSC@gmail.com.

Please note Iowa Snowmobile Trail Grant Program applications and reimbursements are handled through the Groomer Tracking Systems website at ia.groomertrackingsystems.com. Here are specific links.

Groomer Tracking: gts.groomertrackingsystems.com/

Trail Grant Application and Reimbursement: ia.groomertrackingsystems.com/state/

Other documents you may find useful for trail and groomer operation:

Groomer Selection Matrix

Groomer Operator Manual

Groomer Operator Log

Groomer Operator Training Checklist

Iowa Snowmobile Regulations

L andowner Lease Agreement (updated 2022)

Program Letter to Potential Landowner (updated 2022)