upstate rider
06-11-2003, 10:49 PM
Oneida County ATV Organization being established.
The OCASA will host an ATV organizational meeting on Monday, June
16th, 7PM at the Stanwix Veterans & Men's Club (6774 Lamphear Rd, Rome).
The intent of this meeting is to establish a County Wide 4 wheeler
organization that will have a trail system totally independent of any
farmers' fields or snowmobile trails. We will also review a County Law
and a City of Rome law being written to protect farmers from 4 wheeler
abuse.
C. Lee Hinkleman, Sr. stated, "Farmers are closing down
trails to off road use due to four wheelers tearing up fresh seedlings
and damaging property intended for planting. Farmers allow snowmobiles
on their land since they are driven on the snow and cause no damage.
But once the snow melts this land becomes farmland again and the use of
any vehicle on the land can cause severe damage preventing the farmers
from having a successful crop. We are asking that all four wheelers
simply stay off our 560-mile trail system unless they have the explicit
permission of the landowner for use of the land. Our clubs have spent
years developing what we have and do not wish to loose what we have
worked so hard on."
He further stated "All we are asking is that everyone respect the
landowners. We do not own our 560-mile system, they do."
SNOWMOBILING FACTS
Hinkleman stated:
. Insurance cost for clubs went up 289% in 2002
. Our volunteer supported trail system is non-taxpayer supported
. $20 million in snow related tourism money (Based on a study by the
Oneida County Convention and Visitors Bureau)
. Over 9,000 registered sleds in Oneida County
. Lewis County has 20,000 snowmobiles on their trail system every
weekend (Oneida County has not done a study on this although we know it
to be in the thousands)
. 560 miles of groomed and insured trails in Oneida County which is a
multi-use system that attracts enthusiasts with interests ranging from
equestrian, cross country skiing, mountain biking, to numerous other off
road activities. During hunting season handicapped hunters use our
trails for easy access.
. County Association received a $45,000 loan from the county to help us
through our insurance crisis. Association had requested a grant but
this was turned down by legislators to include Legislator Michael
Damsky, Chairman, Tourism Committee H: 732-1836 W: 724-3173.
. Monthly Oneida County Area Snowmobile Association Meetings are
attended by hundreds of snowmobilers. We easily have the highest
attendance numbers of any club in Central New York.
The OCASA will host an ATV organizational meeting on Monday, June
16th, 7PM at the Stanwix Veterans & Men's Club (6774 Lamphear Rd, Rome).
The intent of this meeting is to establish a County Wide 4 wheeler
organization that will have a trail system totally independent of any
farmers' fields or snowmobile trails. We will also review a County Law
and a City of Rome law being written to protect farmers from 4 wheeler
abuse.
C. Lee Hinkleman, Sr. stated, "Farmers are closing down
trails to off road use due to four wheelers tearing up fresh seedlings
and damaging property intended for planting. Farmers allow snowmobiles
on their land since they are driven on the snow and cause no damage.
But once the snow melts this land becomes farmland again and the use of
any vehicle on the land can cause severe damage preventing the farmers
from having a successful crop. We are asking that all four wheelers
simply stay off our 560-mile trail system unless they have the explicit
permission of the landowner for use of the land. Our clubs have spent
years developing what we have and do not wish to loose what we have
worked so hard on."
He further stated "All we are asking is that everyone respect the
landowners. We do not own our 560-mile system, they do."
SNOWMOBILING FACTS
Hinkleman stated:
. Insurance cost for clubs went up 289% in 2002
. Our volunteer supported trail system is non-taxpayer supported
. $20 million in snow related tourism money (Based on a study by the
Oneida County Convention and Visitors Bureau)
. Over 9,000 registered sleds in Oneida County
. Lewis County has 20,000 snowmobiles on their trail system every
weekend (Oneida County has not done a study on this although we know it
to be in the thousands)
. 560 miles of groomed and insured trails in Oneida County which is a
multi-use system that attracts enthusiasts with interests ranging from
equestrian, cross country skiing, mountain biking, to numerous other off
road activities. During hunting season handicapped hunters use our
trails for easy access.
. County Association received a $45,000 loan from the county to help us
through our insurance crisis. Association had requested a grant but
this was turned down by legislators to include Legislator Michael
Damsky, Chairman, Tourism Committee H: 732-1836 W: 724-3173.
. Monthly Oneida County Area Snowmobile Association Meetings are
attended by hundreds of snowmobilers. We easily have the highest
attendance numbers of any club in Central New York.