Winter recreation grants
will strengthen snowmobile trail system

Almost $200,000 in state grants for snowmobile trail maintenance and local law enforcement for western New York communities will directly aid municipalities, support law enforcement efforts and secure insurance coverage for the snowmobile organizations whose members provide regular maintenance on the state-designated trail system. The announcement was made by Assembly Republican Leader Charles H. Nesbitt and Governor George Pataki.

State grants totaling $199,975 will be awarded in the following counties: $94,775 for Genesee County, $30,750 for Monroe County, $26,150 for Niagara County and $48,300 for Orleans County.

The winter recreation local grants program is funded by snowmobile trail grant fees collected by the State Department of Motor Vehicles at the time of registration. The grant awards are part of more than $5.8 million in grants statewide, including $4.9 million in direct municipal grants, $150,000 for law enforcement and $795,000 to secure insurance coverage for approved snowmobile organizations.