7361-R3_MSA_Nov2020_MaineSnowmobiler

Maine Snowmobile Program vs MSA

Thinking Snow, Hello Snowmobilers. I hope everyone stayed healthy over the summer. As we all navigate through this pandemic, I’m finding that we are ready for snow and getting back out on trails even more than in the past. Get out and help a club with their pre-season work. There is always brushing that needs to be cut, bridges to build and reaching out to the landowners for permission and a thank you for allowing us to have a trail on their property. Remember to be an ambassador for the sport of snowmobiling, and we all will have a safe enjoyable season. I’d like to take this time to talk about the differences with what the Maine Snowmobile Associa- tion (MSA) and the State of Maine Snowmobile Program do for the sport of snowmobiling. A lot of people get the two programs con- fused as to what is the difference. I have put together some of the

differences hopefully to answer that question. The fact is both pro- grams work together in order to be successful, they just have different responsibilities. How to reach the State of Maine Snowmobile Program 22 State House Station,18 Elkins Lane, Augusta, Maine 04333 Tel 207-2874957 What the State of Maine Snow- mobile program does: The State of Maine Snowmobile Program administers the in-aid grants to the snowmobile clubs to help them offset the cost of main- taining trails and grooming. The majority of the revenue comes from the users that register their snow- mobiles. The program also receives a small percentage of the gas tax. There are four (4) grant programs that the State of Maine Snowmobile Program oversees. The In-aid Club Grant, In-Aid Municipal Grant, In-Aid Disaster Relief Grant and the

Capital Equipment Grant. These all have their own set of rules and guidelines that need to be meet. The State of Maine Snowmobile Pro- gram works with the State of Maine Snowmobile Advisory Council with recommendations on these grants. The State of Maine Snowmobile Program help clubs to stay current with the bureau of taxation and incorporations. The Maine Snow- mobile Program holds trail licenses with large landowners who allow snowmobile trails on their lands. The State also handles the Land- owner Liability Insurance that helps protect the 14,000 miles of snowmo- bile trails that are in this State and on private owned land. Also, dis- tributes the snowmobile trail signs, but NOT the ITS signs. How to reach the Maine Snow- mobile Association (MSA) P.O. Box 80, 7 Noyes PL, Augusta, Maine 04332 Tel. 207-622-6983 What the Maine Snowmobile

Association (MSA) does: The MSA is the sports lobby- ist at the State House. Watching for any bills that effects the sport of snowmobiling. Without them, the sport wouldn’t have the voice needed when bills are presented in Legislation. The MSA is the one to meet with representatives and legis- latures to inform of issues and con- cerns that could impact the sport of snowmobiling. And there can be a lot of them while in session. The MSA helps clubs with promoting memberships, safety through media and fund raisers like the Super Raffle. The MSA meets with clubs to coordinate the Interconnected Trail System known as ITS. They coordi- nate the Statewide ITS Map and other safety material you see on the trails. The MSA distributes the ITS signs and does trail inspections for safety. As you can see, both offices are very important and have their own

individual responsibilities and pro- grams. The two constantly are work- ing together to keep the clubs strong as possible. Either through financial support from the State of Maine Snowmobile Program. Or the Maine Snowmobile Association through constant support dealing with legisla- tive bills, encouraging memberships and the help in promoting the sport. Thank you to the landowners who allow snowmobiling and thank you to the thousands of volunteers who groom and maintain the trails. Join a club and be part of a great group. Joe Higgins Supervisor Off-Road Vehicle Snowmobile Program State of Maine Dept. of Agriculture Conservation and Forestry Bureau of Parks and Public Lands Off Road Vehicle Office (207) 287-4959 Fax (207) 287-8111

The calendar features pho- tographs from across the state, contributed by MSA members whose work cap- tures the beauty and and excitement of snowmobil- ing in MaineMaine. It includes information about the MSA, the list of MSA-affiliated snowmobile clubs, and marks major holidays throughout the year. The price of the calendar is $10, plus postage. Calen- dars are shipped USPS/Pri- ority Mail - please include your US Postal Service mailing address. Calendars are also available at the MSA Office, 7 Noyes Street Place, Augusta. The calendar is produced by the MSA; proceeds ben- efit the Maine Snowmobile Association. Thank you for supporting the association through your calendar purchase.

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Here’s my order for the 2021 Snowmobile Maine Calendar

Number of Calendars: ________ x $10.00 = _____________ + Postage (1 Calendar): $3.00 _____________ (2-5 calendars): $7.75 _____________ Total Payment: _____________ Checks payable to the Maine Snowmobile Association Mail Calendar(s) to: Name: __________________________________________ Address:_________________________________________ City/State/Zip:____________________________________ If paying by credit card: Name:__________________________ Ph:_______________ Address:__________________________________________ Card Type Check One: MC_____ VISA_____ Discover _____

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Card #___________________________ CVV Code:_______

Signature: ________________________________________

Mail form and payment to: MSA-Calendar, PO Box 80, Augusta, ME 04332 Credit Card purchases may be faxed to: 207-622-7669

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