Articles:


The following articles are for your reading pleasure:

The following articles are for your reading pleasure:


Do You Want To Drive Or Do You Want To Ride?
Especially if you are coming from Ohio or Pennsylvania
Read More

Letter from Chautauqua County’s Office of the Sheriff to Snowmobilers
Read More

County Meeting 2009-11-14
Read More

Guidelines for Responsible Snowmobiling
Read More

Your Federation Dollars at Work
Read More

New York State General Obligations Laws
Read More

Do You Want To Drive Or Do You Want To Ride?

Click here for readable/printable pdf version of the following article


SNOWMOBILE
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY

Ohio & Pennsylvania Snowmobilers:

Do you want to drive or do you want to Ride?

Why drive past Chautauqua County, New York on your way to Ontario, Old Forge, Tugg Hill, or Quebec?  We are hours closer in each direction!

Chautauqua County is 5 hours closer than most of Ontario’s trails.
Chautauqua County is 6 hours closer than Old Forge and Tugg Hill.
Chautauqua County is 12 hours closer than Quebec.

They are all great destinations, but you can ride here for an extra 10, 12, or 24 hours before you have to head home!

All trails in Chautauqua County are scheduled to open the week before Christmas.

Chautauqua County has 400+ miles of well groomed and well signed trails.

We have a variety of types of trails:  old railbeds, open fields, seasonal roads, State Forest Lands, through the woods, up the hills, and down the valleys.

All snowmobile trails are on one County-wide Trail Map.

   Chautauqua County’s last
  9-years avg. snowfall is 235”.
  Mayville is the County Seat.
  2000-2001: Mayville got 258”
  2002-2003: Mayville got 259”
  2008-2009: Mayville got 295”

www.chautauquasnow.com


100% All-Volunteer Clubs


www.cherrycreeksnogoers.com


www.ellerysnocruisers.com


www.trailbreakers.com


Sunset Drifters

(back to top)

Chautauqua County’s Office of the Sheriff to snowmobilers

Click here for readable/printable pdf version of the following article



(back to top)

County Meeting 2009-11-14

Click here for readable/printable pdf version of the following article


Area Leaders Meet with Snowmobile Clubs

Cooperation and communication are needed to keep Chautauqua County snowmobiling safe and enjoyable according to Chautauqua County Legislator Fred Croscut. Croscut organized a meeting of local officials, state elected representatives, law enforcement, and members of the areas snowmobile clubs on Saturday, November 14th at Webb’s in Mayville. The meeting provided a forum for discussion and information sharing for such issues as snowmobile registration procedures, economic impact of snowmobiling, the role of snowmobile clubs, and priorities regarding law enforcement.

State Senator Catherine Young spoke about the importance of snowmobiling to the district’s wintertime tourism industry and economy. She went on to commend the volunteers with area clubs for improving the riding experience for visitors and local snowmobilers. Assemblyman Joe Giglio reported that he and other State elected representatives have been fighting to keep designated State funds from snowmobile registrations flowing to clubs for trail grooming and maintenance.

Cherry Creek Sno-Goers member Rick Engasser presented information regarding the activities of area clubs and statistics concerning snowmobiling in the area. Engasser pointed out that the clubs have become far more efficient in recent years, equating them to small businesses, but staffed only by volunteers. Volunteers in clubs in Chautauqua County contribute 1,830 hours to grooming (mostly at night), another 2,200 hours of trail maintenance and development time, and safety patrol functions. Clubs operate 20 groomers which groom over 400 miles of State-reimbursed trails and another 200 miles of secondary trails. Although the volunteers are what makes it all possible, Engasser and others stressed how important the land owners who give permission for trails to cross their land are. Without cooperation and mutual appreciation between land owners and riders, snowmobiling would not exist in Chautauqua County the way it does today.

Snowmobile clubs in Chautauqua County include the Chautauqua Lake Snowmobile Club, the Cherry Creek Sno-Goers, the Ellery Sno Cruisers, the Lake Effect Trailbreakers, and the Sunset Drifters. The Chautauqua County Snowmobile Federation is comprised of members from each of the clubs and serves as a forum for communication, coordination, and planning.

Engasser presented four main priorities for the local snowmobiling industry. They are land owner relations, effective law enforcement and safety, signing & marking trails, and resources necessary to maintain and groom the trails. In terms of resources, it was noted that the clubs do not rely on any general State or local tax dollars but instead "pay their own way" by using a portion of snowmobile registrations, selling ads on trail maps, charging club dues, putting on fund-raising events, and seeking grants for capital projects.

Mr. Engasser concluded the presentation by stating the official snowmobile season will continue to be the day after the conclusion of shotgun deer hunting season. There was a lot of discussion about ways to keep snowmobilers off the trails until hunting season is over, and at other times when the trails aren’t in proper riding condition. It was determined that ongoing communication to snowmobilers was the best method to enforce this concern. Chautauqua Lake Snowmobile Club member Chris Jaynes presented information about bridge repairs on segments of the trail system, stating that there are ongoing challenges to keeping all bridges in repair.

Barb Lucariella of the Department of Motor Vehicles informed attendees that the Mayville DMV office will again be open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to as late as 3 p.m. This has been tremendously helpful in the past for snowmobilers that have yet to register their sleds in New York when they arrive. It is a law that snowmobilers must have a valid New York registration as well as proof of insurance. Lucarella stated that renewals are already coming in, including many from out-of-state. The number of registration in the 2008/09 season was over 4,000. Snowmobilers that join a club in New York State receive a reduced registration cost. This arrangement helps spur membership in clubs which in turn improves the flow of information to snowmobilers and keeps trails in good working condition.

Don McCord, representing the Chautauqua County Planning Office informed the audience that most of the trails in Chautauqua County have been plotted for GPS systems, a task that should be repeated every two to three years as changes in the trails occur. McCord let club members know that Chautauqua County will soon be sending out contracts for 2010 so that the clubs can receive reimbursements from the State through snowmobile registration fees. In 2009, local clubs received $299,000 for the more than 400 miles of trails groomed, maintained and signed by the clubs.

The discussion on law enforcement centered on public safety issues and ways to protect the interests of land owners in the trail areas. Making sure that snowmobilers are not operating under the influence of alcohol was the top public safety issue, followed by curbing excessive speed and dangerous operation. Law enforcement officials stated that the majority of snowmobile operators do not engage in these behaviors but that they will be watching out for those that do. This drew a strong positive response from club members at the meeting.

In addition, law enforcement personnel monitor for noise violations on modified sleds. The extremely loud snowmobiles are an irritant to land owners and may lead to strained relations between land owners and those maintaining the trails. Officers will also check for valid NYS registration and proof of insurance. Law enforcement includes the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s office, the New York State Police, the New York Park Police, and the Department of Environmental Conservation officers. Police agencies usually have a presence out on the trails with officers on snowmobiles, as well as sporadically checking at road crossings from vehicles. The law enforcement effort is supplemented by the volunteer safety patrol, which sends out snowmobilers in groups of two or more to monitor safety, conduct safety inspections, and report emergency and dangerous situations.

There was a lot of discussion about ways to avoid having snowmobilers stopped more than once by different agencies. The solution hinges on requiring that proof of insurance be provided when registering a sled. In this way, law enforcement personnel would be reasonably assured that a sled was both registered and its rider insured. Such action would require a State Law. Law enforcement representatives maintained however that they would still need to be out there checking for impaired riders, noise violations, lapsed insurance, and overall public safety.

Jack Vanzile, of the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Navigation-Snowmobile Enforcement unit, stated that information on snowmobile safety courses is available at www.sheriff.us, in the Navigation Unit section. Additional information on safety courses is found at www.trailbreakers.com. Snowmobile registration assistance is available at the Chautauqua County DMV, 716-753-4229.

Additional officials at the meeting included Jim Caflish, Chautauqua County Legislature District 21, Jerry Park, Chautauqua County Legislature District 5, Marty Bova, Mayor of Mayville, Don Emhardt, Supervisor Town of Chautauqua, Andrew Avery, NYS Office of Parks & Recreation, Scott Ritchie, NYS Park Police, Chad Juenker, New York State Police, Darin Shultz, Chautauqua County Finance Director, and Andrew Nixon, Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau.

        New York State Senator Cathy Young                                      Rick Engasser

(back to top)

Guidelines for Responsible Snowmobiling

Click here for readable/printable pdf version of the following article


Guidelines for Responsible Snowmobiling

As an off-road experience, snowmobiling can have risks. Every snowmobile rider using snowmobile trails in New York State should understand and accept the following:

  • All snowmobiles will be operated meeting legal requirements and all operators and passengers know and obey all New York State laws pertaining to the use of snowmobiles.
  • It is recognized and accepted that snowmobiling is essentially an off-road activity taking place in an unpredictable natural environment.
  • The grooming and maintenance of trails, when provided, is meant solely to enhance the comfort and enjoyment of safe and prudent operators and passengers.
  • It is not practical or possible to maintain all trails uniformly or to remove all unexpected or unknown trail conditions.
  • Weather conditions affect trails and snowmobile operation and they may change without warning.
  • Trail access is a privilege, not a right.
  • The majority of trails are on privately held lands and respecting the wishes of the landowner is key to protecting the trail.
  • The snowmobile operator is ultimately responsible for the safe operation of his/her snowmobile:
  • Know your limit, Ride within it.
  • The NYSSA member clubs are volunteer-based organizations with finite resources and manpower.
  • Snowmobile operators and passengers will:
    • not consume alcohol or do drugs prior to or while using the trails.
    • ensure that snowmobiles are operated with appropriate care and control at all times.
    • ride in control at a prudent and reasonable speed under the prevailing trail and weather conditions.
    • stay to the right side of the trail at all times.
    • know that there may be grooming or other maintenance activities under way at any time of the day or night which may take up the whole or any part of the trail and have the right of way
    • know snowmobile trails are not engineered highways.
    • be aware that emergency and cell phone service may not be available from all trail locations.
    • follow all posted signs.
    • know that snowmobiling on trails in New York State is regarded as a family-oriented activity.
    • know the unique and particular dangers of ice crossing.
    • dress appropriately for all conditions and will have appropriate safety and emergency equipment at all time.
    • respect landowner wishes, obey posted signs, and stay on the trail

(back to top)

Your Federation Dollars at Work:

Click here for readable/printable pdf version of the following article


Your Federation Dollars at Work

Ray Head, past Federation President

As President of the Chautauqua County Federation for the past three years, it has been my privilege to work with area club leaders and members.  Our accomplishments have come about through the cooperative efforts of these volunteers and the clubs they represent.

With the financial support of local businesses our crowing accomplishment has been the county-wide trail map.

Next we were able to standardize road crossing signs.  These green and white markers are located under the stop signs and give the name of the road being crossed (picture #1).  Arby’s and D&S Glass sponsor these aids to navigating our trails.

Our 1-800-242-4569 trail condition and club events hotline is free thanks to Chautauqua County Vacation Bureau.  It gives up-to the minute information on snowmobiling in the county.  Call it yourself, and be informed.
Local radio stations give trail condition & events reports, similar to ski reports.  These are sponsored by local businesses interested in supporting snowmobiling.

New this year, we have put together our own brochure.  All the clubs are detailed to include addresses, web sites, and membership information phone numbers.  These brochures are available in surrounding state dealerships and at the display located on the I-86 rest area near Bemus Point.

The theme is "Join Where Your Ride….Ride Chautauqua County

The new membership increase is causing a great deal of confusion at the DMV’s throughout New York Sate.  Not so here in Chautauqua County.  The Federation met the challenge by placing large county snowmobile maps, with membership applications, at all three DMV’s in the county.  We were one of the few to foresee the confusion and made it possible to join any club, license your sled, and get your free trail map right at the DMV.

   <--- As seen in all three County DMVs

Our latest accomplishment is the county-wide “trail closed” signs.
These signs are another effort to inform riders when and when not to ride.
They are located on the back side of trail stop signs.
The two-hundred and twenty signs are sponsored by Schutts Arctic Cat in Jamestown.  The clubs determine the placement of the signs on their trails.  The “trails closed” side of the sign (picture #2) means “trails are not open and are considered unsafe for travel”.  Riders of closed trails are trespassing and can be arrested, unless they own the property they are riding on.  When the green and white Schutts Arctic Cat billboard side is showing, this means trails are open (picture #3).  Besides open and closed, there is one more trail designation that we do not have a sign for called “limited” (used only on the 800 phone number and radio trail condition reports).  This means that “most trails are passable for snowmobiling, some trails may be closed, and extra caution is advised”.

  Picture #1          Picture #2         Picture #3

As a coordinating organization for the independent snowmobile clubs of Chautauqua County, it should be noted that the Federation is not a governing agency for the clubs.  Our organization is merely a central clearing house for ideas that benefit the clubs, as well as all those who ride here.

Join a club where you ride…  Ride Chautauqua County”

One last but most important note.  None of our accomplishments are as important as the local landowners granting us the privilege to snowmobile on their land.  They absolutely receive no reimbursement, financial or otherwise.  So, be respectful, don’t litter, and stay on the designated trail at all times.  If you know or see a landowner, tell them “thanks a lot”

(back to top)

New York State General Obligations Laws

Click here for readable/printable pdf version of the following article


New York State Consolidated Laws
General Obligations Law


ARTICLE 9 - TITLE 1  CONDITIONS ON REAL PROPERTY

9-103.  No duty to keep premises safe for certain uses; responsibility for acts of such users.

S 9-103.  No duty to keep premises safe for certain uses; responsibility for acts of such users.

1.  Except as provided in subdivision two,

A.  an owner, lessee or occupant of premises, whether or not posted as provided in section 11-2111 of the environmental conservation law, owes no duty to keep the premises safe for entry or use by others for hunting, fishing, organized gleaning as defined in section seventy-one-y of the agriculture and markets law, canoeing, boating, trapping, hiking, cross-country skiing, tobogganing, sledding, speleological activities, horseback riding, bicycle riding, hang gliding, motorized vehicle operation for recreational purposes, snowmobile operation, cutting or gathering of wood for non-commercial purposes or training of dogs, or to give warning of any hazardous condition or use of or structure or activity on such premises to persons entering for such purposes;

B.  an owner, lessee or occupant of premises who gives permission to another to pursue any such activities upon such premises does not thereby

(1)  extend any assurance that the premises are safe for such purpose, or
(2)  constitute the person to whom permission is granted an invitee to whom a duty of care is owed, or
(3)  assume responsibility for or incur liability for any injury to person or property caused by any act of persons to whom the permission is granted.

(Added L 1980)
C.  an owner, lessee or occupant of a farm, as defined in section six hundred seventy-one of the labor law, whether or not posted as provided in section 11-2111 of the environmental conservation law, owes no duty to keep such farm safe for entry or use by a person who enters or remains in or upon such farm without consent or privilege, or to give warning of any hazardous condition or use of or structure or activity on such farm to persons so entering or remaining. This shall not be interpreted, or construed, as a limit on liability for acts of gross negligence in addition to those other acts referred to in subdivision two of this section.

2.  This section does not limit the liability which would otherwise exist

A.  for willful or malicious failure to guard, or to warn against, a dangerous condition, use, structure or activity; or

B.  for injury suffered in any case where permission to pursue any of the activities enumerated in this section was granted for a consideration other than the consideration, if any, paid to said landowner by the state or federal government, or permission to train dogs was granted for a consideration other than that provided for in section 11-0925 of the environmental conservation law; or

C.  for injury caused, by acts of persons to whom permission to pursue any of the activities enumerated in this section was granted, to other persons as to whom the person granting permission, or the owner, lessee or occupant of the premises, owed a duty to keep the premises safe or to warn of danger.

3.  Nothing in this section creates a duty of care or ground of liability for injury to person or property.

(back to top)