Trail permit fees for snowmobile season remain among lowest in country
No further exemptions granted

This year�s fee structure for mandatory trail permits required by snowmobilers using groomed trails will remain among the lowest in the country, Tom Hedderson, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, announced today.

For the 2005-06 season, the cost of a trail sticker season pass for the Island remains the same at a fee of $80. The short-term rates range from $20 to $40 for three-day and seven-day stickers.

In Labrador the rates have been standardized. A season pass is now $100. The short-term rates range from $11.50 for a day pass to $17.25 for a weekend pass and $57.50 for a weekly pass. The residents of a number of northern and southern coastal Labrador communities who currently receive a trail grooming subsidy from government will continue to receive stickers free of charge.

"The sale of mandatory trail permits generates the necessary revenue to maintain over 5,500 kilometres of groomed trails � an infrastructure that was built through a federal investment of $21 million. Maintaining the trails will further develop our winter tourism product, offer a better and safer snowmobiling experience and ensure the sustainability of the trails for the future," said Minister Hedderson. "Over 14,000 trail stickers were sold last season, raising approximately $981,000 in revenue to groom and up-keep the trails."

Following new legislation requiring mandatory permits last year, government reviewed the potential for permit exemptions for trappers, woodcutters and cabin owners. Minister Hedderson today confirmed that government has completed its public consultation and will not grant any further permit exemptions to individuals who use groomed snowmobile trails.

In August the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation released a discussion paper and survey seeking the public�s view on further exemptions. There was a limited response from the public on the issue � there were only 105 responses, of which 64 people supported exemptions of some type.

The fee structure remains low in comparison with other provinces. In New Brunswick a seasonal trail permit is $207. In Ontario a seasonal trail permit is $230.

"In order for our province to remain competitive and maximize our tourism potential, we need to ensure the sustainability of our trail infrastructure and further develop our tourism product," added Minster Hedderson. "Granting further exemptions would have a severe impact on the financial viability of trail grooming activities currently undertaken by the Newfoundland and Labrador Snowmobile Federation and the Labrador Winter Trails Association."

Media contact: Susanne Hiller, Communications, (709)729-0928

2005 12 13                         2:45 p.m.