b'VAST Direction By VAST Executive Director Cindy LockeAs you know, VAST relies on theyou detailed reports and to help yourVERMONT ASSOCIATIONgraciousness of private landowners towhen they do not feel they have anyvoice be heard. allow us to access their lands. Privaterecourse with the State or their town,You can also reach out to me. Send me property accounts for about 80% of ourVAST and its clubs, are often the onlya letter outlining what you are going trail system. In Vermont, landownersones that will listen to them. Whilethrough, or have gone through, or what get nothing for allowing the publicwe cannot always do anything inyour fears are. What about solutions? access to their properties. Well, thatsreality about these types of landownerWhat would you like to see the State not entirely true: they get immunitycomplaints, much as we may try, weof Vermont do for you because you (indemnification) from being helddo listen, we do understand, and weallow recreation on your lands, such as responsible should something happencertainly do care. snowmobiling, hunting, etc.? I would to someone using their lands, unlesslike to collect these letters to share with the landowner intentionally has doneCurrently in the works are reforms tolegislators and state leaders. Here is a something to specifically harm thatACT 250 and other pieces of legislationlink where you can look to see what person. VAST also holds a multimillionthat could affect private landownerscommittees your local legislator sits dollar trails liability insurance policyrights to do what they want on theiron: https://legislature.vermont.gov/. that covers our landowners, volunteers,own lands. Some changes would evenClick on Committees and then click etc. The point is, landowners get nomean the State of Vermont could doon the Vermont House: Agriculture direct subsidy, from the state for themore investigating and enforcement& Forestry: Natural Resources, Fish use of their land for allowing outdooron private land. I know we all& Wildlife. For the Vermont Senate: recreation. In fact if they take any typewant to make sure animals, plants, Make a DifferenceAgriculture; Natural Resource & of payment for opening up their landwaterways, forests, etc. are protected,Energy. Remember, just because for public use, the afore mentionedbut we also need to make sure our Nominate Someone your local legislator may not sit on a indemnification from the State is voidprivate landowners are protected fromcommittee I listed, does not mean they (state law).unnecessarily intrusive legislation.have no influence and no reason to NOMINATIONS AREDUEMAY 1, 2021Because VAST has about 4000 milesI am also accustomed to spending anot be able to voice your concerns and of trails in Vermont on private lands,lot of time in the Vermont Statehousereport back to you at any time.it is often we who get a call from atalking to legislators and state leaders VAST volunteers and clubs are dedicated and Also you can reach out to the landowner who is unhappy withmyself and through our lobbyist, even committed all year long. Please take the time tocommissioners of the Agency of something the State of Vermont orif, nowadays, its only on the phone nominate someone who deserves recognition. Agriculture, the Agency of Forest, their own town has done. This call toor via Zoom. Its frustrating to see bigParks and Recreation and the Agency us might be just a threat to shut downissues being discussed by the folks you Horizon VolunteerTrailblazerSnowmobiler of the Yearof Fish & Wildlife. Help us help you! the VAST trails on their land or theyvoted for if some of them seem to haveSnowmobile Family of the Year Clubs, please pass this message on may actually shut the trails down,no regard for you and your concerns.Jr. Snowmobiler of the Year (age limit 15) to your landowners. Contact me at even though VAST has done nothingSo, this is what I propose. Ask yourDealer of the Year Snowmobile Club of the Year cindy@vtvast.org for assistance, or send ourselves. This happens because thelocal legislator for reports on what is Awards for ClubsTrail Relatedme your letters!landowner does not feel they arehappening with issues like ACT 250Most Improved Trails Best Signed Trails getting anywhere with the State or theiror forest fragmentation. Dont let themFond Regards,Best Groomed Trails Trail Project of the Yeartown with whatever the issue is theyuse the excuse that they may not be are having. I understand this because,on that committee. Ask them to give To obtain nomination forms go to vtvast.org/awards.htmlMake a Difference Two $1500Nominate SomeoneSCHOLARSHIPS NOMINATIONS AREDUEMAY 1, 2021APPLICATIONS AREDUE MARCH 1, 2021VAST volunteers and clubs are dedicated andVAST awards two $1,500 scholarships annually.VASTcommitted all year long. Please take the time to Scholarship Awards are open to VAST members, their spouses and/ornominate someone who deserves recognition.dependents of all ages to help you further your education in any postHorizon VolunteerTrailblazerSnowmobiler of the Year secondary school, including vocational/technical education.Two Chances to Win!The applications of the top five finalists will Snowmobile Family of the Yearalso be submitted for consideration to the Northeast Chapter of Jr. Snowmobiler of the Year (age limit 15)the International Snowmobile Councils (NEISC) Scholarship Awards Dealer of the Year Snowmobile Club of the Yearprogram. The NEISC awards two $500 scholarship awards annually. Awards for ClubsTrail Related All applications must bepostmarked or faxed NO later than March 1, 2021 Most Improved Trails Best Signed Trails For application go to: vtvast.org/scholarships.html or call (802) 229-0005 ext. 10Best Groomed Trails Trail Project of the YearPlease send all applications to:26 Vast Lane, Barre, VT 05641|fax: 802-223-4316| email: cyndy@vtvast.org To obtain nomination forms go to vtvast.org/awards.htmlTwo $1500 SCHOLARSHIPSAPPLICATIONS AREDUE MARCH 1, 2021VAST awards two $1,500 scholarships annually.VAST Scholarship Awards are open to VAST members, their spouses and/or dependents of all ages to help you further your education in any post secondary school, including vocational/technical education.Two Chances to Win!The applications of the top five finalists will also be submitted for consideration to the Northeast Chapter of the International Snowmobile Councils (NEISC) Scholarship Awards program. The NEISC awards two $500 scholarship awards annually.All applications must bepostmarked or faxed NO later than March 1, 2021 For application go to: vtvast.org/scholarships.html or call (802) 229-0005 ext. 10Please send all applications to:26 Vast Lane, Barre, VT 05641|fax: 802-223-4316| email: cyndy@vtvast.org'