The following info pretty much came straight from the horses mouth so to speak. It was sent as part of the trail report from Seney. Don Reed has been elected President of MSA so he and his wife Diane KNOW what is going on Clubs are in a world of hurt.

RUMOR CONTROL: “There was a lot of rumors and publication about not having groomed trails this year. MSA, representing the grant sponsors, has been battling proposed changes from the DNR all summer long. A compromised was finally reached when they went over their heads to the NRC (Natural Resource Commission)last month; we thought. But when the addendum came out last Friday disappointment prevailed. Again the DNR reworded the handbook but didn’t change the content. Most grant sponsor are refusing to sign the grant application until the changes are made as agreed upon. What that means to you is that we don’t have a signed grant for grooming operation this season yet, which means we don’t get paid to groom. Many other organizations are in this predicament. Most grooming that is taking place right now is with out a signed grant and out of their own pockets. If you come north to ride right now, be aware if this and contribute heavily to the area you are riding in to cover the cost.”

TASA IS IN THIS SAME BOAT, ALTHOUGH WE DON’T NORMALLY GROOM UNTIL WE CAN OPEN THE GATES ON THE NORTH TRAILS (after muzzle loading season) AND IT HAS BEEN YEARS SINCE THERE HAS BEEN ENOUGH SNOW SOUTH TO EVEN THINK ABOUT GROOMING THIS EARLY.

Cathy Clementz, Secretary and Trail Reporter for the Tahquamenon Area Snowmobile Association, Newberry