The organization that represents the 53 snowmobile clubs in the province that maintain snowmobile trails is trying to make trail fees included with snowmobile registration.
As it stands right now, snowmobilers must buy a Snopass for $150, to be able to access the province’s 12,000 km of snowmobile trails.
Snoman Incorporated is hoping to see all owners of registered snowmobiles pay trail fees.
The president of Snoman Alan Butler, says they are just trying to maintain a viable snowmobile trail system in Manitoba. He added that most of the money from the Snopass goes toward the upkeep of the trails.
Butler went on to say that only 19,000 snowmobilers bought Snopasses, which is a low number considering the fact that there are 35,000 snowmobiles registered in Manitoba.
If the change comes into effect, drivers using the trails without a Snopass will be fined $488.
A combination of conservation officers and RCMP will be used to patrol the trails.
For the proposed changes to become law, they will have to be passed by the provincial conservation ministry.
If the government decides to adopt the changes, the system will mirror the one currently in place in Saskatchewan.
The Association of Manitoba Municipalities is supporting Snoman, and is urging the provincial government to adopt the changes.
Butler is hoping the changes will be made in time for next season.
Right now, commercial fishermen and trappers are exempt from having to purchase a Snopass, and if the changes are made, more exemptions may come down the pipeline.
Vintage sled could see up to a 50 percent reduced rate. An exemption would also be given to drivers who live in remote communities, as long as they only drive within the community.
Butler said that the reason that Snoman is proposing the changes is due to a lack of volunteers and increased maintenance costs.
He added that a lack of winter tourism in rural Manitoba is forcing businesses like restaurants and hotels to rely on snowmobilers.
According to Butler, snowmobiling contributes $300 million to the economy every year and produces around 900 related jobs.
