Gov. Blagojevich announces more than $250,000 to enhance snowmobile trails throughout Illinois

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today awarded state snowmobile trail grants totaling $252,400 to seven local governments and to the statewide snowmobile association for trail maintenance, equipment, and safety improvements for public-access snowmobile trails in Illinois.  The grants were announced at the Illinois Association of Snowmobile Clubs (IASC) annual convention in Naperville.

 

"These grants will provide local partners with needed equipment and funds for maintenance that will enhance safety for snowmobile riders on a number of public-access trails enjoyed by thousands of Illinois residents and visitors to our state," Gov. Blagojevich said.

 

The state snowmobile grant program is funded entirely by snowmobilers through the registration fees they pay. The cost to register a snowmobile is $18 for three years. There are more than 40,000 registered snowmobiles in Illinois.

 

The snowmobile grant program is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.  Applications for the next round of grants are available by contacting the IDNR Division of Grant Administration, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL, 62702-1271, or by calling 217/782-7481.  Applications are accepted March 1-May 1.

 

The Snowmobile Grant Program recipients and project information for Fiscal Year 2008 are listed below:

 

 

Freeport Park District (Stephenson County), $26,000 for the purchase of a 165-horsepower tractor to groom the Jane Addams Trail for snowmobiling and to groom other public snowmobile trails in Stephenson County during the winter.  The tractor will also be used to mow the shoulders of the Jane Addams Trail during warm weather months. 

 

Knox County Sheriff's Department (Knox County), $8,200 for the purchase of a snowmobile, radios, and snowmobile helmets, gloves and suits for use by rescue personnel. 

 

Lake County Forest Preserve District (Lake County), $20,900 for the purchase of two snowmobiles, a snowmobile trailer, and four sets of helmets, pants and jackets to be used by forest preserve district police to better patrol the county's snowmobile trails. 

 

Lena Community Park District (Stephenson County), $12,000 for costs associated with the operation and maintenance of a snowmobile trail groomer to be used for grooming public snowmobile trails in the Lena area. 

 

Loran Township (Stephenson County), $41,600 for the purchase of a tractor to pull a snowmobile trail drag to groom public snowmobile trails. 

 

Rockford Park District (Winnebago County), $45,000 for the operation and maintenance costs related to four snowmobile trail groomers that are used to groom public snowmobile trails - and the operation and maintenance costs of the Snowmobile Response Team (SRT), which consists of two snowmobiles and a trailer, and is used to respond to snow related emergencies. 

 

Stephenson County Emergency Management Agency (Stephenson County), $23,700 to purchase two snowmobiles and a rescue sled to be used in winter emergency situations.                                          

 

 

Illinois Association of Snowmobile Clubs (all northern Illinois counties), $50,000 to assist with funding the annual liability insurance that is required on all public snowmobile trails maintained by private snowmobile clubs in Illinois.