snowman 700
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- Joined
- Oct 10, 2005
- Messages
- 166
- Location
- Mid-Michigan
- Country
- USA
- Snowmobile
- 2011 Apex SE
2012 Vector (wifes)
Email from the DNR On the enhanced enforcement. Also on the Sound Checks. "Conservation officers made over 520 contacts with visitors during their snowmobile patrol efforts, the majority of which were positive interactions. 57 verbal warnings were given for various violations, and 21 citations were issued, nine of which were for sound violations."
Statewide DNR News
Feb. 10, 2016
Contact: Lt. Skip Hagy, 906-293-5131, ext. 4100
Enhanced snowmobile enforcement during I-500 race weekend benefits thousands of riders
Conservation officers from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources stepped up snowmobile patrols Feb. 5-7 during the International 500 Snowmobile Race weekend in Sault Ste. Marie, which helped ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for the several thousand visitors and residents who took to the trails. Patrols began Friday afternoon and ended Sunday morning.
Conservation officers made over 520 contacts with visitors during their snowmobile patrol efforts, the majority of which were positive interactions. During these contacts, officers answered questions, gave directions, assisted snowmobilers whose sleds had becoming stuck in snow or had broken down, and much more.
“Safety on the trails is paramount, and it’s our top priority,” said Lt. Skip Hagy. “With stepped-up patrols, our goal is to provide a safe experience for everyone. We want everyone to have a good time, ride responsibly and make it home when they’re done.”
Hagy said there were no deaths or accidents in the area during the race weekend.
“We received many positive comments and thanks from trail riders during our enforcement efforts,” Hagy said. “They appreciated the patrols, felt safer because of our presence, and even with the increased traffic, felt safe riding with their families.”
In addition to Michigan residents, officers had contact with snowmobilers from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Ontario as they were out enjoying the Sault Ste. Marie area trail system over the weekend.
The enhanced enforcement effort also focused on snowmobile noise violations, part of a statewide effort to create more enjoyable experiences for all trail riders and ensure the state’s 6,200 miles of snowmobile trails – 50 percent of which run through private land – remain open to snowmobilers in future years.
During race weekend patrol efforts, 57 verbal warnings were given for various violations, and 21 citations were issued, nine of which were for sound violations.
Michigan’s vast snowmobile trail system is the result of partnerships with private landowners who, through annual permits between the landowners and snowmobile clubs, open portions of their land for snowmobile trails. Without these partnerships, the expansive, interconnected trail system enjoyed by thousands of snowmobilers each year wouldn’t exist.
“When snowmobilers behave unethically or illegally, including running snowmobiles with illegal decibel levels, private landowners can and have opted out of signing another annual agreement, and trails have closed,” Hagy said.
Under Michigan law, the muffler on a snowmobile must be in good working order and, when in constant operation, noise emission cannot exceed 88 decibels at 13.1 feet, as measured using the 2004 Society of Automotive Engineers standard J2567 for a stationary snowmobile manufactured after July 1, 1980.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers are offering snowmobile sound testing from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 20, at the DNR customer service centers in Marquette, Newberry and Gaylord. Sound testing is offered only for 2-stroke machines manufactured after 1980. Conservation officers also will be available during this time to answer snowmobile law-related questions.
Any test result above 88 decibels is failing. No enforcement action will take place should the snowmobile test non-compliant at one of the three locations during the testing day. If the snowmobile sound test fails, snowmobile owners are encouraged to replace the modified exhaust with the original exhaust system from the snowmobile manufacturer. This action will ensure the snowmobile is compliant when on the trail.
For more information on snowmobiling in Michigan, including current laws and regulations, go to www.michigan.gov/snowmobiling.
Michigan conservation officers are fully commissioned state peace officers who provide natural resources protection, ensure recreational safety and protect citizens by providing general law enforcement duties and lifesaving operations in the communities they serve. Learn more about Michigan conservation officers atwww.michigan.gov/conservationofficers.
Feb. 10, 2016
Contact: Lt. Skip Hagy, 906-293-5131, ext. 4100
Enhanced snowmobile enforcement during I-500 race weekend benefits thousands of riders
Conservation officers from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources stepped up snowmobile patrols Feb. 5-7 during the International 500 Snowmobile Race weekend in Sault Ste. Marie, which helped ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for the several thousand visitors and residents who took to the trails. Patrols began Friday afternoon and ended Sunday morning.
Conservation officers made over 520 contacts with visitors during their snowmobile patrol efforts, the majority of which were positive interactions. During these contacts, officers answered questions, gave directions, assisted snowmobilers whose sleds had becoming stuck in snow or had broken down, and much more.
“Safety on the trails is paramount, and it’s our top priority,” said Lt. Skip Hagy. “With stepped-up patrols, our goal is to provide a safe experience for everyone. We want everyone to have a good time, ride responsibly and make it home when they’re done.”
Hagy said there were no deaths or accidents in the area during the race weekend.
“We received many positive comments and thanks from trail riders during our enforcement efforts,” Hagy said. “They appreciated the patrols, felt safer because of our presence, and even with the increased traffic, felt safe riding with their families.”
The enhanced enforcement effort also focused on snowmobile noise violations, part of a statewide effort to create more enjoyable experiences for all trail riders and ensure the state’s 6,200 miles of snowmobile trails – 50 percent of which run through private land – remain open to snowmobilers in future years.
During race weekend patrol efforts, 57 verbal warnings were given for various violations, and 21 citations were issued, nine of which were for sound violations.
Michigan’s vast snowmobile trail system is the result of partnerships with private landowners who, through annual permits between the landowners and snowmobile clubs, open portions of their land for snowmobile trails. Without these partnerships, the expansive, interconnected trail system enjoyed by thousands of snowmobilers each year wouldn’t exist.
“When snowmobilers behave unethically or illegally, including running snowmobiles with illegal decibel levels, private landowners can and have opted out of signing another annual agreement, and trails have closed,” Hagy said.
Under Michigan law, the muffler on a snowmobile must be in good working order and, when in constant operation, noise emission cannot exceed 88 decibels at 13.1 feet, as measured using the 2004 Society of Automotive Engineers standard J2567 for a stationary snowmobile manufactured after July 1, 1980.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers are offering snowmobile sound testing from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 20, at the DNR customer service centers in Marquette, Newberry and Gaylord. Sound testing is offered only for 2-stroke machines manufactured after 1980. Conservation officers also will be available during this time to answer snowmobile law-related questions.
Any test result above 88 decibels is failing. No enforcement action will take place should the snowmobile test non-compliant at one of the three locations during the testing day. If the snowmobile sound test fails, snowmobile owners are encouraged to replace the modified exhaust with the original exhaust system from the snowmobile manufacturer. This action will ensure the snowmobile is compliant when on the trail.
For more information on snowmobiling in Michigan, including current laws and regulations, go to www.michigan.gov/snowmobiling.
Michigan conservation officers are fully commissioned state peace officers who provide natural resources protection, ensure recreational safety and protect citizens by providing general law enforcement duties and lifesaving operations in the communities they serve. Learn more about Michigan conservation officers atwww.michigan.gov/conservationofficers.
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