Environment DEC
From the August 2008 issue
Governor Announces Additional Major Funding for Snowmobile Trails
Governor David A. Paterson recently announced that the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) will implement new procedures to help ensure that funds paid to the state each year for snowmobile registration fees will be dedicated to trail maintenance and other related program activities. As a result, the state will nearly double the amount of funding it is projected to provide for local snowmobile trail maintenance grants from $2.87 million in 2007-08 to $5.34 million in 2008-09.
Premier Snowmobiling Destination
Higher than anticipated snowmobiler registration fees have created a surplus that will be dedicated to trail maintenance
"Our state's network of snowmobile trails is an important tourist attraction and economic engine, particularly upstate," said Governor Paterson. "We undertook a careful review of our grant payment procedures and determined that we could improve that process. Accordingly, we will be able to nearly double our annual investment in local trail improvement and maintenance, helping to ensure that New York remains a premier destination for snowmobilers from across the county."
The amount of funding provided each year for local snowmobile trail maintenance grants is determined by projected revenues from snowmobile registration fees. Previously, OPRHP set grant levels and reimbursements in the fall of each fiscal year based on its initial revenue estimates. Oftentimes, however, during the course of the year, income from registration fees came in higher than projected, but grant payments were not increased accordingly. Revenues outpaced expenditures and excess balances built up in New York's Snowmobile Trail Development and Maintenance Account.
Fees to be Dedicated to Snowmobiling
Under the new procedures, OPRHP will reevaluate the amount of revenue the state has received from snowmobile registration fees at the end of each fiscal year. Surplus funds will then be dedicated to trail maintenance efforts through additional grant payments. This will help ensure that money from these registration fees will be spent in a way that specifically benefits snowmobilers.
Based on a review of revenues collected in previous years, as well as the current fund balance, OPRHP projects that it can nearly double its 2008-09 local trail maintenance grant payments to $5.34 million. This represents an increase of nearly $2.5 million or approximately 86 percent. Over the next several years, the remaining excess balance will be spent down solely on trail maintenance and related program activities.
Other Actions to Increase Grant Funds
There are 2500 miles of state-owned snowmobile trails in New York
New York is also taking other actions to ensure that increased funding will be available for local grants. Currently, OPRHP and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) are authorized to spend $1.1 million annually from the Snowmobile Trail Development and Maintenance Account on activities they undertake to help maintain approximately 2,500 miles of state-owned snowmobile trails. Over the next three years, the agencies will reduce the amount of funding they withdraw from this account by a cumulative total of $1 million ($200,000 in 2008-09, $400,000 in 2009-10, and $400,000 in 2010-11). This money will be used to help fund local trail grants and reimbursements.
Reducing the amount that OPRHP and DEC are authorized to draw off the account will not have any adverse impact on the maintenance of state-owned trails. Through increased efficiencies and the identification of other financial resources, these agencies will still be able to maintain the high quality of New York's state-owned trail system even after the change in funding structure.
More comments from officials present at the announcement are contained in the complete press release. See "Related Links" below.
Related Links
Complete Governor's Press Release (leaving DEC's website)
