'Pay to play' fee would help fund grooming

Grooming trails for snowmobiles isn’t cheap, and a proposal currently in the Legislature would require those who use state-groomed trails to help pick up more of the tab.

Now in the Senate, House Bill 300 would create an $18, three-year permit for those taking motorized equipment and “fat bikes” onto trails groomed either by the state or organizations using state grants.

Speaking in support of the proposal, Scott Herzog, president of the Montana Snowmobile Association, said the funding is needed to keep up the quality of the trails, on which use has doubled in the last eight years.

“This is not a tax we’re asking for, this is a pay to play,” Herzog said, adding that the number of snowmobiles registered in Montana has grown from 22,000 to 60,000 in the past decade.

For each permit issued, $1 would pay for enforcement, $2 would stay with the vendor who sold the permit and the remainder would go into a special revenue fund to pay for grooming and grants to organizations that groom trails. Permits could be picked up at gas stations and convenience stores.

Trail users renting snowmobiles would be exempt but must have proof of the rental. Failure to purchase a permit would a misdemeanor and carry a fine between $25 and $100.

Outdoor recreation, hospitality and environmental organizations have offered support for the bill.

“I want to stress that there’s been no increase in money coming to this program since 2003,” said Bob Walker, representing Our Montana, a Billings-based group that advocates for environmental and cultural preservation. 

“The cost of groomers has almost doubled, we’re talking in the $200,000 to $300,000 range. This would provide some finance and would certainly help bring the program up to a modern-day, more professional and safer program.”

The bill was heard in the Senate Fish and Game Committee Tuesday after passing the House on an 88-11 vote.

Reporter Samuel Wilson can be reached at 758-4407 or by email at swilson@dailyinterlake.com