b'VAST DirectionBy VAST Executive Director Cindy LockeVERMONT ASSOCIATIONWhat do recreation trails in Vermontdone? We are always met with, WellI dont get any benefit from the state.mean to you? I assume you use themthere is no money to do anythingI dont like a bill the governor just to snowmobile and many of you forelse. So where does that leave us?signed, or that the legislature just summer recreation too. Well, let meThis leaves us with a very fragile trailpassed.tell you what it takes to have trails ininfrastructure. Seventy-five percent Vermont and keep them. I know thatof Vermont is owned by privateI dont like that my town or the state some of you are already aware, but itlandowners and eighty percent ofagreed to (you pick: school choice, never hurts to remind folks. Also, thisVAST trails are on private lands.raise taxes, change zoning, or allow may give you some tools when youThese landowners often pay muchcertain usage on town roads).talk to your local state representativeshigher taxes to own their land hereNow, can you really blame the who get voted into office every tworather than in neighboring states.landowner? I mean what else do years. Often, trail organizations are used tothey have? They have no way to VAST was at the forefront of gettingtry and settle a dispute for reasonsbargain with the state or town in most the state of Vermont to acknowledgethat dont even have to do withinstances; they dont get any sort of the importance of protectingsnowmobiling, but the landownertax break or incentive to let all of us private landowners by making surefeels that VAST would be able to helprecreate on their lands and I am afraid landowners were held harmless forthem more if they threaten to shutthat this wont change any time soon. any results of opening up their landdown their land to our members.Unless we all make a real effort to for recreation. This work took place inHere are some examples that haveeducate our legislators and those we the 1970s.But that is where any sortcome about just since my time atput into office. of beneficial action to protect or thankVAST during the last five years: We certainly have some supporters landowners stopped. My state taxes are too high. in the Vermont State House, but we For the past forty years, VAST andMy town taxes are too high. also have many who dont know other outdoor recreation organizationsus. Some just dont like motorized have been asking, What else can beI dont like my neighbor. sports because they either feel we are noisy, smelly and have a big carbon foot print (another trendy saying Get a Grip! with no basis in fact). If you can give them an example of something else to think of, it can turn into a much more thoughtful and two-sided conversation.Hands on for safety! So please engage your legislators. Ask them how they feel about outdoor recreation in Vermont and whether they feel it and landowners should be protected. Tell them how much money, time and sweat you pour into snowmobiling and volunteering in Vermont.This is not an election year, but we need to get started now. Legislators need to know you are watching them and what they vote for on the House and Senate floor. This fall I will be posting on the VAST website information for you all with facts and figures about snowmobiling in Vermont. If we are looking for support on important legislation, I will let you know. Removing your hands from theFondly,handlebars while riding is unsafe.VAST discourages the use of countdown hand signalsVermont Association of Snow Travelers26 Vast Lane, Barre, VT 05641802-229-0005 www.vtvast.org'