Governor Signs Bill That Allows Nonresidents To Snowmobile Free On Certain Days

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Governor John E. Baldacci yesterday signed a bill that will allow the Commissioner of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to allow out of state snowmobilers to ride on trails without registering their sleds during special events.

"This bill will provide a direct economic impact in the areas where there are snowmobile festivals. These festivals have the ability to draw over a thousand riders, and these riders need to purchase meals, gas and other supplies, injecting money into the local economy," said Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Commissioner Roland D. Martin.

"This bill reaffirms our support for the snowmobile industry in Maine by giving organizers of large snowmobile festivals the latitude they need to be Maine's winter recreation ambassadors," said Senator John L. Martin D-Aroostook County, sponsor of the bill.

Governor Baldacci signed bill L.D. 89 as emergency legislation, allowing the bill to take effect immediately. The bill was sponsored by Senator John Martin, and co-sponsored by Senator Bruce Bryant, Senator Chandler Woodcock, Representative Ross Paradis, Representative Troy Jackson, Representative William Smith, Representative Dave Trahan, and Representative Thom Watson. The bill received the approval by both houses of the legislature this past Thursday, January 13.

The bill authorizes the IFW Commissioner to allow snowmobile riders to participate in specific events in controlled areas without registering their sleds. The emergency nature of the bill allows the commissioner to use the new law this year, for events such as the International Snowmobile Festival that February 4,5,and 6 in Madawaska and Edmundston, New Brunswick. That festival alone draws over 1,200 riders to the area. Last year, the festival ran during a free snowmobile weekend, when registrations were not required.

The bill also repeals a section of Title 12, section 13104 that allowed the Commissioner to designate one weekend a year as an open snowmobile weekend, where all snowmobiles registered outside the state could be used in the state without being registered.

The wording of the new law allows "snowmobiles registered in another state or in a Canadian province may be operated without a Maine registration at a special event or festival organized to occur in this state if such operation is approved by the commissioner. An event or festival organizer must submit a request in writing to the commissioner 60 days prior to the event or festival and shall include a map of the trails where operation will be allowed."

Proposed cutline for attached picture: Governor John E. Baldacci signs LD 89 into law on Tuesday afternoon at the Governor's office. Standing behind Governor Baldacci, left to right, is Maine Snowmobile President Aleta Rioux, Representative Thom Watson, Senator John Martin, IFW Commissioner Roland D. Martin, Senator Bruce Bryant, Representative Ross Paradis, Representative Troy Jackson and Maine Warden Service Colonel Tom Santaguida.

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