Released on December 11, 2009
The Government of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association (SSA) have signed a new, five-year, Trail Management Agreement. It includes greater trail management, accountability and reporting requirements which are intended to improve the safety, quality and efficiency of the snowmobile trail system in Saskatchewan. The previous three-year agreement expired in March 2009.
"We are always looking for ways to improve and sustain our trail system," Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Dustin Duncan said. "Trails provide wonderful opportunities for recreation so people can experience nature in a way that respects the environment and encourages its thoughtful conservation."
The Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport engaged Trails Work Consulting to review the snowmobile sector in Saskatchewan and provide recommendations to help it become more sustainable.
Since 1999, the SSA has acted as trail manager for the Saskatchewan snowmobile trail network pursuant to The Snowmobile Act.
"The new agreement provides the long-term sustainability of snowmobile safety promotion and provides the public with safe snowmobile trails," Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association President and CEO Chris Brewer said. "Improving the quality of signage, trails, efficiencies and making updates to equipment will be undertaken to provide safe snowmobiling to all in Saskatchewan."
Since 2005, all snowmobile registration fees collected by Saskatchewan Government Insurance have gone to the SSA in its capacity as trail manager to maintain provincial snowmobile trails and promote safe snowmobiling. The Trail Management Agreement specifies the roles and responsibilities of both the Government of Saskatchewan and the SSA in this regard.
For more information on the snowmobile sector review results, please visit www.tpcs.gov.sk.ca.
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For more information, contact:
Art Jones
Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport
Regina
Phone: 306-787-3506