Iowa snowmobile trail grant program manages Snowmobile Trail Grant Funding in iowa



The Iowa DNR on Sept. 11, 2017, signed a cooperative agreement with the ISSA to assume control of the snowmobile trail grant process and the distribution of registration funds. The contract also transferred ownership of the groomer fleet to the and administration of the program Iowa Snowmobile Trail Grant Committee (ISTGP). This is a committee part of the ISSA but operates independently per the DNR contract. The committee represents ALL snowmobilers that register their snowmobile in the state of Iowa. No affiliation with the ISSA is required to be a Region Representative or Administrator on this Committee. Please use the following email address to contact the ISTPG: ISSA.RSC@gmail.com.



Iowa snowmobile Trail grant program COMMITTEE MEMBERS



Administrative Positions by Election (Four-Year Terms)

Chris Willey, Past ISSA President/Groomer Training Coordinator

John Kahler, Past ISSA President


Technical Advisor

Terry Durby, Past ISSA President


Members By Position

Seth Bram, ISSA President

Kate Taylor, ISSA Vice President


Members By Election (Three-Year Terms)

Randy Magg (Western representative)

John Gallentine (Central representative)

Mark Kuennen (Eastern representative)


Iowa DNR Representative

Jessica Flatt


Iowa Rec Trails Advisory Committee Representative

Jim Willey, Past ISSA President



eastern representative up for election nominations due oct. 15



The Iowa Snowmobile Trail Grant Program is a nine-member board, consisting of ISSA officials and representatives from three regions across Iowa. This board represents all registered snowmobilers in Iowa. The state is split into three regions with a representative for each elected to three-year terms over staggered years. This fall, the East Region representative seat—currently held by Mark Kuennen from Maynard—is up for election.


The only requirement to serve on the ISTGP committee is to be a currently registered snowmobiler in that specific region (see map above). The candidate does not need to be an ISSA member. Nominations are due Oct. 15 and can be sent to the ISTGP by email at issa.rsc@gmail.com. Ballots will be cast Saturday morning, Nov. 21, at the 2026 ISSA Convention at the Best Western in Clear Lake. Eligible voters must reside in the East Region. You do not need to be registered for the convention or be an ISSA member to vote.


“This election will be by ballot only at the registration desk at convention,” ISTGP Co-Administrator Chris Willey explained. “The regional position nominee must reside within that region at the time of the nomination. Ballots can be cast by any registered snowmobile owner residing in the region that is up for election.”



DOCUMENTS



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/


Please click on the ISTGP Handbook at right for complete program details. The annual deadline for mileage reimbursements is May 1. The annual deadline for trail grant applications is June 1. Trail sign orders are also placed through SNARS and due June 1.


Other documents clubs and the riding public may find useful:



Groomer operator training



Effective November 2024, all groomer operator training in Iowa falls on the snowmobile club in charge of their groomer. A list of certified operators needs to be uploaded to the SNARS program on Groomer Tracking Systems website each year, and all groomer operators need to satisfy the following criteria:

  • Must be 18 years old
  • Hold a valid Iowa Drivers License
  • Follow ISTGP guidelines, procedures and rules
  • Complete in-cab training with a certified operator
  • Maintain valid club-issued certification
  • Permission from the club responsible for the groomer you are operating

Groomer operator training is a stipulation of the ISTGP's contract with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and a requirement of the ISTGP's insurance coverage on its grooming equipment. Here are documents clubs can use to facilitate their in-house operator training program.

For more information or further guidance, contact ISSA Groomer Training Coordinator Chris Willey at (563) 920-9010 or ISSA.RSC@gmail.com.





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