In order to get more money for snowmobile trail maintenance, Chautauqua County leaders believe the state should increase registration fees for the winter recreation vehicles.

During the Chautauqua County Legislature meeting, lawmakers adopted a motion in support of the Snowmobile Trail Development and Maintenance Fund.

Motions do not hold any legal authority but are designed to show a position of a governing body. It would be the state’s decision if snowmobile registration fees are increased or remain as they are.

In the motion, the county noted snowmobile clubs maintain 423 state funded miles of trails throughout Chautauqua County and 10,500 miles of trails statewide. The maintenance of trails in the county is mainly done by volunteers.

Since 1987, the state Snowmobile Trail Development and Maintenance Fund has been utilized by municipalities and their snowmobile club partners to properly groom and maintain their local snowmobile trails, including through the purchase of equipment.

“The snowmobile community, including the New York State Snowmobile Association and the clubs in Chautauqua County have requested an increase in the snowmobile registration fees to support trail maintenance,” the motion states.

The motion notes that there has not been a registration fee increase in New York since 2005.

According to the New York Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation website, it costs $100 to register a snowmobile in New York. That price is lowered to $45 to individuals who are members of an organized snowmobile club.

The websites states that all money collected from snowmobile registration, minus $5 per registration, is placed into a dedicated snowmobile trail development and maintenance fund account.

Before the vote, Legislator Lisa Vanstrom, R-West Ellicott, expressed her support. “I think that snowmobiling is one of the few winter activities that visitors and residents alike can enjoy and share,” she said.

Legislator John Davis, R-Frewsburg, agreed, but added he thinks other motorized trail opportunities should be included. “I think the time has come based on conversations I’ve had with some of my constituents to include discussions about ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) and UTVs (utility terrain vehicles) and provide areas where they can be ridden safely in New York state,” he said.

The motion for higher snowmobile fees was unanimously approved.