MICHIGAN SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION NEWS

Today (March 10, 2008), I saw this message on the Michigan Interactive website regarding keeping the trail from Indian River to Chaboygan open permenantly. Two years ago it was opened on a trial basis for two years. The time is up on the trail basis and the DNR is going to make a recommendation whether or not to keep the trail open.

Some people are writing the DNR to asked that the trail be closed. Please show support for the trail. Be positive and mention the benefits of the trail:opens up additional loops, helps the business community, is heavily used and very popular. We need to thank the DNR for opening the trail and additional comments that you may wish to make.Snowmobile trails fall under the Forest Management Division of the DNR. Bill O'Neil is the supervisor for the Northern half of the lower peninsula for the Forest Management Division oneilw@michigan.gov (in Gaylord). Jim Radabau is the state coordinator for trails (all types of trails). radabauj@michigan.gov (in Lansing). Linda Boyd is the director of the Forest Management Division boydlm@michigan.gov (in Lansing). Mindy Koch former director of the Florest Management Division and now Deputy Director kocha@michigan.gov (in Lansing)."

Michigan-DNR Director’s Approval of Mullett Lake Trail Access Comes with Restrictions
Posted: 9/29/2006

Contact: Bill Manson: (616) 301-2743

MSA Concerned About Safety Due to Restriction of Hours

Grand Rapids, Mich. – The Michigan Snowmobile Association (MSA) today applauded the order from Rebecca A. Humphries, Director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), providing final state approval for snowmobiling near Mullett Lake. The director’s order at today’s Natural Resources Commission meeting followed months of study and public input that resulted in a restriction of hours and a 35-mph speed limit along the 12-mile stretch. The trail opening does address MSA’s decade-long effort to re-connect the Gaylord-to-Cheboygan Trail.

“For more than ten years we have tried to find a solution to this problem. We commend the DNR for providing relief to snowmobilers, and the Granholm administration for supporting Michigan’s economy,” Bill Manson, Executive Director of the MSA, said. “However, everyone must still address the fundamental issue of safety due to the restriction of hours.”

Heeding concerns voiced by a few landowners with homes on Mullett Lake, the DNR decided to restrict all snowmobile traffic from midnight to 8 a.m. making the 12-mile tract Michigan’s only trail area not opened 24 hours per day.

“We have no problem with the speed limit, but we are very concerned about the traffic restriction from midnight to 8 a.m. The DNR tried to appease 26 landowners that are apparently going to file a lawsuit anyway. This was the wrong move because inevitably someone is going to be put in harm’s way,” said Manson.

The MSA is especially concerned about the safety of approximately 100,000 out of state riders that may not be aware of the restriction of hours near Mullett Lake. It’s likely that riders will begin south of Mullett Lake headed for an overnight stopping point in the northern Lower or Upper Peninsula. Those riders not passed Mullett Lake by midnight will have two dangerous paths from which to choose – the lake or the highway. Unknown freezing conditions and traffic on Highway 27 make either route very dangerous, especially at night. Lack of a feasible alternative route is what necessitated opening the trail.

The trail’s opening will provide an economic boost to Michigan’s economy. Thousands of snowmobile riders travel throughout Northern Michigan every winter, pumping over $1 billion into the State’s economy each year. The average snowmobiler spends $4,000 each year on related products and tourism, and spends an average of 7.2 nights per season in a hotel or motel. The impact is felt by thousands of small businesses that depend heavily on snowmobile tourism during the long winter season in Northern Michigan. A contiguous network of snowmobile trails is an important component of winter tourism.

The DNR’s action to establish a contiguous trail system is supported by business chambers and hundreds of small business owners. The DNR took public testimony at Indian River on August 2, 2006 to help develop the guidelines for snowmobiling near Mullett Lake. Many supporters spoke on behalf of the business community.

The small group of Mullett Lake homeowners continue to threaten legal action against the state for opening the trail to snowmobiles. Some of them have recently suggested their property rights are being hindered because the DNR asked them to remove personal property from the trail.

“For years the Mullett Lake homeowners have used the state-owned trail as personal storage sites for docks, boat trailers and lawn furniture. Some have even built permanent structures on the trail’s right-of-way. It’s rather obvious why they don’t want us to use the trail. Snowmobilers just want to use state-owned land for riding,” said Manson.

The DNR Director’s order was the final step of a three-step process. In June the DNR’s Trust Fund Board voted to rescind language banning motorized use of the trail, and then the DNR held public hearings to gather testimony. Mullett Lake trail access upholds the State’s promise made over ten years ago to connect the trail for snowmobile use.

Snowmobile trails in Michigan are open from December 1st through March 31st.

Colored Snowmobile Headlight Lens Caps are now ILLEGAL in Michigan.
As of March 22, 2004, colored lens caps for snowmobiles became illegal in Michigan. Part 821, section 31 of the snowmobile law now reads: Sec. 82131.(1) A person shall not operate a snowmobile without displaying a lighted headlight and a lighted taillight. However, the headlight shall not be covered with a headlight lens cap of any color.

Speed limits in Michigan:
1. Safe and reasonable
2. Posted on any road
3. Just fast enough to maintain forward motion when within 100 feet of any building or fisherman.
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At 6:30PM on Oct. 2, 2003 the Alger County Road Commission voted to keep the roads open in Alger County. H-58 from the Beartrap east to the Kingston Plains, and H-13 from Wetmore south to the county line were in line to close. Safety for the residents, snowmobilers and plow drivers were sited as the main reason for the proposed closing. Additional cost to the road commission for extra plows after snowmobiles pack the sides were also a consideration. At one point of the discussion I thought we were doomed. Two of the three commissioners were both sighting bad experience with sledders. A commitment from State, County and DNR law enforcement to step up patrols on the two roads were the deciding factor to try it one more year. The decision was prefaced with the warning that if snowmobilers don't start using the roadways wisely they would close them for the next year with no discussion held. The local clubs and grooming authority vowed to work with the commissioners to install additional signing and help with the match for the sheriff patrols.

Bill Manson
Michigan Snowmobile Association