HELENA – Last spring the 2015 Montana Legislature passed House Bill (HB) 167 and HB 300. The new legislation updates snowmobile and off-highway vehicle (OHV) permits in order to increase funding for trail maintenance and grooming programs across Montana effective Oct. 1
HB 300 enacts a new Snowmobile Trail Pass for Montana residents. All Montana residents operating mechanized equipment on designated groomed snowmobile trails will need to purchase a Snowmobile Trail Pass for each vehicle. Mechanized equipment includes: snowmobiles, fat-tire and regular pedal bicycles and converted motorized snow bikes. The new trail pass does not apply to rental snowmobiles or nonresidents.
While skiers and mushers are not legally required to purchase a trail pass, Montana State Parks Snowmobile Program Manager Seth McArthur said, "We are asking that they purchase one to support the groomed trails that they are using."
The Snowmobile Trail Pass is $18 and is valid for three seasons, July 1 through June 30, regardless of the purchase date. The trail pass must be attached to the equipment on the left side cowling below the windshield. Revenue generated by the trail pass will go to the Montana State Parks Snowmobile Program with 40 percent of the funds used for grooming trails and 60 percent of the funds used to purchase and maintain grooming equipment.
"With the cost of trail grooming and equipment maintenance rising every year, it's become harder to effectively sustain the Snowmobile program," said McArthur. "The funds from the new trail pass will help to ensure that Montana's 4,000 miles of trail will continue to be groomed."
HB 167 raises the current Off-Highway Vehicle Nonresident Temporary Use Permit from $5 to $27 per year. Increased revenues will help support OHV trail maintenance, noxious weed abatement, OHV education and enforcement efforts.
"Revenues from the permits will bolster our OHV program funding," said Erin Proctor, Montana State Parks OHV Program Manager. "This will allow us to better address motorized recreation needs in the state that have been continually put on hold due to lack of resources."
The permits are available at 166 vendors across the state and may be purchased from local vendors including Kurt's Polaris, Rovero's and the Rich Ranch or online at: https://app.mt.gov/als/index/index.html. When ordering online, allow 7-10 days to receive the pass in the mail and carry receipt of purchase until the sticker arrives.
For more information on the Groomed Snowmobile Trail Pass contact Seth McArthur at 406-444-3753 or smcarthur@mt.gov or visit http://stateparks.mt.gov/recreation/snowmobileProgram.html
For more information on the OHV Nonresident Temporary Use Permit contact Erin Proctor at 406-444-7642 or eproctor@mt.gov or visit http://stateparks.mt.gov/recreation/ohvProgram.html
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