Across The Country

Christine Jourdain
American Council of Snowmobile Clubs
www.snowmobilers.org/

Change is in the air.......

Soon the warm summer breeze will change to the crisp fall breeze.  The November elections will soon be here and change will be around the corner.  Before Congress completes the 110th session, changes are bound to come.  2009 will be upon us before we know it -- and more changes will impact us.  It's just that time of year.

Some of the changes that will impact us directly will be the reauthorization of the Highway Bill, and where the Forest Service will call home.

As you may know, a portion of the gas tax that we pay every time we fill our sleds is put into the Recreation Trails Program, which comes back to our Snowmobile Trails Program.  We only receive a small percentage of the tax – it has been less, but never has it been more.  It is critical to our snowmobile trails programs.  Every state receives these dollars and most often distributes them through a grant application process.  The dollars are used to supplement the trails program, from building trails, to building or replacing bridges, to helping with the purchase of groomers.  Those dollars are now in jeopardy.  This program is now in jeopardy.

The RTP program is a very small piece in the Highway Bill.  Larger pieces in the Highway Bill include programs that do not pay into the system through the purchase of gas.  Those pieces are also in jeopardy -- but remember, they are only a taker -- not a contributor.

I know most of the snowmobile programs are not over-flowing with cash these days.  This is a critical program for snowmobilers across the country.  This is a program worth fighting for -- and we must start now.

The program actually expires in September, 2009, but it will take many months to get reauthorized.  It is expected that there will be several extensions prior to reauthorization -- and we want to be part of the extensions.  But, it will take work -- and the work must start now.  The work must start at home, in your local Congressman’s district.

All Congressmen are up for re-election this fall.  They will be spending a lot of time home in their districts this fall campaigning.  It is time for you to mention to your Congressman the importance of this program.  It is important that they understand how it benefits their district – bring it home for them.

Make it a point to see your Congressman this fall when he is home.  It is not difficult for you to talk to him – especially about something that you love, snowmobiling.  It will only take you a couple of minutes, yet it will be worth millions – literally.

Another change that may occur is where the U.S. Forest Service calls home.  The Forest Service is part of the Department of Agriculture, and has been part of the Department of Agriculture since it's beginning -- over 100 years ago.  However, there is currently a study being done to see if they would be a better fit in the Department of Interior, along with the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

A member of congress has requested the General Accounting Office complete an exercise and report the pros and cons of the Forest Service remaining a part of Ag or being moved to Interior.  This study is expected in February or March of 2009 and will be discussed in the 2010 Budgets.

There is a distinct possibility that the Forest Service could become a part of the Department of Interior……time will tell. 

Will it be good for the Forest Service…..time will tell.

Will it benefit the budget of the Forest Service…time will tell.

How will it impact recreation……time will tell. 

Change is in the air.  Let’s make the best of fall and get ready for the first snowfall.

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The American Council of Snowmobile Associations (ACSA) is a national organization that was formed to unite the snowmobile community. Because snowmobiling is enjoyed by millions of individuals across the United States, it was imperative that a strong national organization be formed. ACSA is that organization.

ACSA is your voice for snowmobiling on national issues. Many snowmobilers are mistaken when they think national issues have no impact on their snowmobiling. Across the United States there are thousands and thousands of miles of snowmobile trails on public and private lands. Will these lands remain open for snowmobiling in the future? Long term use of the lands is no longer certain. Only the unified voice of the entire snowmobile community will help to guarantee the continuation of our sport.