Members of Franklin County snowmobile clubs are rallying behind a $2.9 billion environmental bond bill that they say will improve the quality of and access to trails not just for snowmobiling, but for various types of outdoor recreation.
If passed, S.2542, “An Act to Build Resilience for Massachusetts Communities,” also called the Mass Ready Act, would bring around $587 million to the state Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) for maintenance of natural land such as forests and state parks, among other infrastructure. The bill, contributing to the state’s environmental protection goals, has been endorsed by the Snowmobile Association of Massachusetts.
“[The] bottom line is that anything that would improve funding for DCR is going to benefit anybody who likes being outdoors,” said Buckland Riders Snowmobile Club President Steven Howland.
The legislation, proposed by Gov. Maura Healey, was most recently referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
The Snowmobile Association of Massachusetts maintains more than 2,000 miles of trails, mostly in western Massachusetts.
“We do the grooming,” Howland explained. “We probably do the lion’s share of maintenance on the trails that everybody uses.”
Howland stressed the importance of the bill, saying that it would not only contribute to winter sports such as snowmobiling, but would benefit all trail users and bolster many outdoor activities, such as hiking, horseback riding or cross-country skiing.
“The funding really just improves quality and access for everybody,” he said.
The Franklin County snowmobile clubs also assist with maintaining and building new bridges to meet state standards. If the DCR secures this funding, there would be more opportunities to upgrade bridges and roads that are nearing the end of their lifespan, and more opportunities to build new bridges, which in turn would protect the wetlands below.
The Mass Ready Act details its goals in western Massachusetts, specifically citing flood control. When flooding, hurricanes or other incidents of extreme weather occur, trails can get damaged, and while volunteers from snowmobile clubs maintain the land, Howland said severe road damage can be insurmountable.
“Something like road damage is certainly beyond the scope of a snowmobile club,” he said, citing a key trail that is closed due to damage. “Increased funding for the DCR would help with regular maintenance and sort of unexpected maintenance of state forest land.”
In a statement endorsing the legislation, the Snowmobile Association of Massachusetts said it would be “a gross understatement to say that levels of funding are appropriate to show proper respect for our environment.”
“This bill could, in great measure, bring funding levels to DCR that would maintain and build better recreational opportunities for our citizens within our state park system,” the statement continues, “while offering the appropriate levels of protection for the environment and respect for our natural heritage that could also enhance tourism in the state and tax benefits that we would experience from that.”
Like Howland, Ed Skorupski from the Conway Snowmobile Club said there is always ongoing maintenance to be done by the clubs. He hopes that the possible funding for DCR would allow for trails to be more consistently maintained and that some of that money might benefit the Conway State Forest.
“Hopefully this leads to better drainage, more culverts, or upgraded or upsized [culverts], within the state forests, because they noticed during those flooding events that those were overwhelmed,” Skorupski explained.
Howland emphasized that the funding in the bill goes beyond just trail improvements, saying that it could ultimately boost the local economy.
“Funding the DCR and maintaining these resources does benefit the town, because it maintains access for people who might come through the town and spend money locally,” he said. “These state forests bring in tourist money to the local towns.”