$100+ to register your sled with passes!!! Make Your Voice Heard.

[WaBackcountry]

​

Attention Snowmobilers
The WSSA meets with WA State legislators this coming week. The WSSA is asking the legislators to increase registration fees by $20 ($10 a year for the next two), and allow the Parks Commission to implement a fee for motorized sno-park permits (additional $30-40). And you may need a Discover Pass for an additional $30 if you access certain areas, mainly DNR)
So this means it could cost well over $100 to register one sled.

Please contact your legislators and let them know how you feel on this.



Rep. Chris Reykdal (360) 786-7940; chris.reykdal@leg.wa.gov
Rep. Larry Springer (360) 786-7822; larry.springer@leg.wa.gov
Rep. Drew Hansen drew.hansen@leg.wa.gov
Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon joe.fitzgibbon@leg.wa.gov
Sen. Sharon Nelson (360) 786-7667 sharon.nelson@leg.wa.gov
Sen. Steve Hobbs (360) 786-7686 steve.hobbs@leg.wa.gov
Sen. Don Benton (360) 786-7632; don.benton@leg.wa.gov
Rep. Kristine Lytton (360) 786-7800; kristine.lytton@leg.wa.gov

 

[94fordguy]

$100 per sled isn't exactly accurate.... Folks who don't ride the DNR don't need the Discover Pass and you don't have to get more than 1 snow park permit if you have more than 1 sled.

I'm gonna leave with this comment. If you don't realize how close we are to losing the grooming we have now due to insufficient funding, GO TO A GROOMER'S MEETING!!!!!! The last fee increase for sleds was about 10 years ago if I recall correctly, we're so far OVERDUE for an increase it's stupid, that's why it seems like a lot all at once.



I'm so irritated I'm not going to say another word.

 

[winter brew]

We need more money to maintain the existing snoparks and grooming program. The surveys show the majority of sledders are for this. Whether its just a $20-$30 increase or $100 its still cheap for a full year of access.
I am all for it as long as ALL the money stays in the snowmobile program.

Also, a little correction. We do not need a Discover pass and a snopark permit is included in the price of our current sled refistration....which is what, $32 or close to that?? Fuel prices alone justify an increase, this stuff has to be paid for or we lose it.

 

[Hotchief]

Bring it on.

I'd gladly pay $100 per year per sled to protect the sport in our state.

Based on the rates the guys pay to ride on the east coast, it is still very reasonable.

I'd pay $500 per year per sled if they'd start clearcutting in the summer too...

 

[norsepeak]

cost 150 a year for a snowpark pass in B.C. and they only groom the main trails. I only use snowparks maybe 3-4 times a year and ride groomed trails about the same amount, but I think it's not too out of line.

 

[summ8rmk]

90% of my riding is on DNR land so I do need the pass. $30 a yr and I have plowed parking. Lets see u get that at ur house for a yrs plowing! Do u have kids in school? Do u know where the 'state matching funds' come from for school improvement? Thats right DNR !

I have to ride the trail for 4-7miles minimum to get to the riding areas. When they're 2ft mogul's it hurts. If we don't increase our fees then we will have 2ft mogul's all the time!

 

[Midwest_Cat]

i would disagree with the FIRST post. i'd gladly pay more/yr to "register". sure it'll suck if you have more than one sled, or a family, but considering all the complaining about grooming/plowing/ect that goes on something needs to be done. this might thin the heard or make it stronger. but from my perspective whats happening now isnt working. we all use the trails so lets band together, and pony up.

i moved from thurston to pierce over the summer and my truck registration went from $58 to $108 (without notice pretty much...untill i looked at the clerk like deer in headlights). then we made our way to registering my daily driver too. i could see $ signs comming from her finger tips as she was entering everything in the computer...Why the increase? oh, it was because of the RTA tax (never heard of it untill that day)... all for a stupid commuter train i'll never use. [/rant]

so, the point im making is id rather pay a little more for something ID USE than something i wont.

 

[WaBackcountry]

We need more money to maintain the existing snoparks and grooming program. The surveys show the majority of sledders are for this. Whether its just a $20-$30 increase or $100 its still cheap for a full year of access.
I am all for it as long as ALL the money stays in the snowmobile program.

Also, a little correction. We do not need a Discover pass and a snopark permit is included in the price of our current sled refistration....which is what, $32 or close to that?? Fuel prices alone justify an increase, this stuff has to be paid for or we lose it.

You are wrong on your correction Winterbrew.

The WSSA is asking that the government separate the Sno Park permit so that it has to be paid for in ADDITION to your sled registration. They are suggesting to legislators that we pay an additional $30-40 for a Sno Park permit plus the Discovery Pass ($30) which most of us DO need that ride at multiple areas around the state. I would be happy to send you the email directly from WSSA if you PM me.

 

[WaBackcountry]

Bring it on.

I'd gladly pay $100 per year per sled to protect the sport in our state.

Based on the rates the guys pay to ride on the east coast, it is still very reasonable.

I'd pay $500 per year per sled if they'd start clearcutting in the summer too...

So would I....but we are not going to get clearcutting.

 

[Midwest_Cat]

Email from WSSA 2-21-12:

WSSA needs your help!<?xml:namespace prefix = u5 /><u5></u5><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
The legislators below need to hear from you regarding removal of the fuel tax lid, increasing registration fees by $20 ($10 a year for the next two), and allowing the Parks Commission to implement a fee for motorized sno-park permits. Constituents are especially needed, but most of these legislators want to hear from any snomwobilers. <u5></u5><o></o>
Meetings are set up and you are encouraged to attend in person or by speaker phone. Please contact Terry Kohl at tkohl@comcast.net or (206) 265-1724 ahead of time so he can let the lawmaker know who will be there. Terry can also provide talking points if you are unsure of what to say. (If you are not interested in participating in the meetings, we’ve included e-mail addresses and encourage you to contact these legislators about this legislation.)
------------------------------------
My response 2-21-12:
Before I move forward with understanding what your asking, what is the “fee” for the motarized sno-parks, and how much?<u5></u5><o></o>
<u5> </u5><o></o>
I’m all for increasing registration, but what is our added exposure for the moarized sno-park fee?<u5></u5><o></o>
<u5> </u5><o></o>
Any help is appreciated.
---------------------------------
Follow up response from WSSA 2-21-12:
The legislation is actually putting in place a mechanism to allow the Parks Commission to implement a fee, and not an actual fee amount. The Parks Commission would then work with State Parks Winter Rec. and the Snowmobile Advisory Committee to set a fee (when/if the Committee recommended). The Parks Commission would take comment from anyone offering it before implementing a fee. As for the amount envisioned, State Parks has indicated it should equal the non-motorized sno-park permit fee which is currently set at $40.

Regardless of your position, I strongly encourage all snowmobilers to contact their legislators and let them know how they feel. Snowmobilers are all over the place on this so it is important for everyone to speak up so legislators have a feel for what the majority wants.

I'm attaching the point paper used during Olympia Days for your review.<o></o>
<u5>--------------------</u5>
<u5>Attachment:</u5>
<u5></u5>
<u5>

THE WASHINGTON STATE SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION (WSSA)<o></o>​

<o> </o>

WSSA supports increase of revenue for the Snowmobile Program<o></o>​

<o> </o>
1. Increase snowmobile registration fees from $30 to $40 July 1, 2013, and from $40 to $50 July 1, 2014. Note: this fee was last increased from $20 to $25 in 2001, and from $25 to $30, in 2002.<o></o>
2. Permit a special winter recreational area parking permit fee to be issued and determined by the Parks & Recreation Commission after consultation with the Snowmobile Advisory Committee.<o></o>
<o> </o>
Snowmobile Program Funding: These funds are used to purchase snow grooming equipment and are transferred to public and private providers of trail grooming and snow removal services. The Snowmobile Program receives funding from 97% of the snowmobile registration fee and 61% of their fuel tax refund. The Program is totally supported by dedicated funds, no tax dollars. <o></o>
<o> </o>
Funding Needs: $2,300,377/Biennium in Projected Needs between 2010 and 2019. <o></o>
The Joint Transportation Committee (JTC) January 12, 2011 Final Report, “Review of Fuel Tax Refunds for Nonhighway or Off-Road Use of Gasoline” reports the snowmobile account has additional future projects needs of $2,300,377/Biennium and $11,501,887 over 9 years. Per this report, a $40 fee increase would cover these unfunded needs; a $20 registration fee gain would raise half of the needed funds. Likewise, a full refund of their fuel tax refund to 100% would cover the rest of the unfunded needs.<o></o>
Unfunded Needs = $2,300,377/Biennium or $11,501,887 Total for 9 years<o></o>
$20 Reg. Fee Gain = $1,271,515/biennium or $6,357,575 Total for 9 years <o></o>
<o> </o>
WSSA Survey and WSSA Board Approval of Legislation<o></o>
During the WSSA 2012 annual funding meeting, the WSSA board discussed in depth the need for an increased revenue stream and the results of a State Parks & WSSA survey. Following the discussion, the WSSA board members voted to approve the above legislation.<o></o>
<o> </o>
2012 Snowmobile Survey Results: A survey of WA State snowmobilers conducted in 2012 by the WSSA and State Park’s Winter Recreation Program resulted in the following:<o></o>
1. Support for higher registration fees: YES: 57%; 1010 votes / NO: 43%; 749 votes.<o></o>
Choices for fees were $15, $20, $25, $30, or other amount. There were 131 “other” responses which ranged from -$10 to +$200. Of those responses 89 (5%) were less than $15 and 41 were greater than $30 (2%). The most frequent amount mentioned for less than $15 was $10 (57) and for over $30 was $50 (24).<o></o>
2. Paying for annual sno-park permit: NO: 57%; 1003 votes / YES: 43%; 756 votes. <o></o>
The estimated cost of a snowmobile Sno-Park Permit was reported as $40 for the season, or $20 per day, and would be issued to a specific vehicle. Note: the proposed legislation does NOT raise this permit fee; rather, the decision to raise fees and to what amount is determined by WA State Parks after consultation with the Snowmobile Advisory Committee. <o></o>
<o> </o>
Contacts Terry Kohl, Lobbyist, 206.850.6030, tkohl@comcast.net; <o></o>
Daniel Fallstrom, WSSA Legislative Chair, 360.710.5011, dfallstrom3615@wavecable.com</u5>

 

[Lushbomb]

1st world problems.. Such a pain!!

if you can't afford another $30 for a pass or registrations, you're in the wrong sport.
imo..

 

[Midwest_Cat]

The biggest thing with the proposed increases is having to pay an additional $30-40 for the Sno Park Pass. This combined with the existing $30 Discover Pass is over the top.

how many riding areas, out of ALL the riding areas, NEED a discovery pass? you keep comming back to the discovery pass...but everywhere i ride a discovery pass is not required.

 

[ripalip2]

45$ for the sled and 40$ to park all year, (I'm in) ride those beat up trails a couple weeks and you will change your mine . I like groomed trails in and out.

 

[summit800]

Your all dreaming if you think that raising the amount you pay is going to see any more grooming! we had more money 3 or 4 yrs ago and I dont see any more grooming then than I see now, unless of course you ride on thursdays!! and another thing, even if we did more grooming , we don't get the right kind of cold weather for them to last more than a day , so r they going to groom every other day at your snowpark .... no there not, so they wont be any better than they r now!

 

[summ8rmk]

Withou an increase the grooming will be much worse next yr and all following yrs.

 

[rmkboxer]

it was posted on here last year to raise registration passes, a bunch of people whined saying they can't afford it with a family. I support it and what happenned now is the tabs are not going up as much but now you will have to buy a snow park permit, I don't have a discovery pass and I have no idea where you need one to ride. It will be easier on a family but more of a jump for a single rider. it needs to be done so I think they need to just do it

 

[summit800]

Withou an increase the grooming will be much worse next yr and all following yrs.

it never gets ant better, and I do not think it will ever get better !! the only place that its any good is out at last resort and thats because they have rental sleds!! and there own groomer!!

 

[summit800]

it was posted on here last year to raise registration passes, a bunch of people whined saying they can't afford it with a family. I support it and what happenned now is the tabs are not going up as much but now you will have to buy a snow park permit, I don't have a discovery pass and I have no idea where you need one to ride. It will be easier on a family but more of a jump for a single rider. it needs to be done so I think they need to just do it

No, we will have to pay it , but the grooming will not be any better and then we can listen to all the whinners still complain about the grooming , And I'll be the first on here to tell you so!!

 

[WaBackcountry]

Update: The Discovery Pass is now $35. This is required in state parks, trails, trail heads, state recreation land and DNR land.

They have not been enforcing it the last year or two but apparently they are this year.

 

[summit800]

Update: The Discovery Pass is now $35. This is required in state parks, trails, trail heads, state recreation land and DNR land.

They have not been enforcing it the last year or two but apparently they are this year.

But as far as using it for snowmobiling, there only a couple of snow parks on the east side that need them, I'm I right ? I for one have never bought one or needed one , Im not a hiker,Hunter (in this state)or hang out at state parks