Big Clean-up On Snowmobile Trails

[TOOTHPICK]

THIS FROM STEINBACH ONLINE

The South East Sno-Riders snowmobile club has been very busy since a snow storm three weeks ago took down a large number of trees in the southeast. Piney Reeve Duane Boutang says the trails are a mess. "It's real bad. Virtually every mile of the trails, trees have fallen across them. A serious number of people are working at trying to get those cleared up before snow. There are areas, obviously, that we can't get into because it's not frozen yet. They are doing a yeoman's effort trying to get this thing done."

Boutang is optimistic that a lot of the trails will be cleared in time for the coming sledding season. "I think they'll get the major trails open. The one from Woodridge to Falcon Lake, the Tin Pan, is always a struggle because of the muskeg and water crossings. That will probably be the last one they tackle. The rest of them, I'd say they are well on their way. I'm sure they are about 50 per cent done on some of the major feeder trails, the ones that come in from Steinbach and some of those areas into Woodridge and surrounding country."

Boutang says some volunteers are using their own tractors to clear felled trees and adds Enns Brothers in Steinbach has also lent the club some equipment to assist in the clean-up.

He notes snowmobile tourism is big business for Piney as sledders come from all over the province to ride the trails. Boutang adds, "We hope for some snow. Last year was pretty bad but the forecast says there will be more moisture and colder weather so that should work in our favour."

[RAZORNATOR]

Who do we contact to get involved .

[SLEDDER]

there is contact info in this link
http://www.steinbachonline.com/index...&Itemid=100413

[gold miner]

the best way to fix that mess is run a little d3 dozzer down those trails cutting with a saw is a waste of time just to many down good luck guys

[Oerlikon80]

A D3 would be rather dangerous the best way is with a small excavator with a grapple or a thumb or even a feller buncher. That way it can pull the logs out of the rats nest and if it's got a buncher or harvester it can even cut them up and stack them to the side.

[JAG GAL]

I would be shocked if they did, but the government should help out for safety's sake and for the sake of tourism. Snowmobiling and Atving generate big tax revenue and really help out many small towns in the winter months with their business.

BTW...it's nice to hear of businesses, who profit from our sports, who are willing to pitch in and help in any way! It is much appreciated by many!

Well as soon as hubby gets home with the new saw we are off to see what we can accomplish! It may not seem like much in the big scope of things, but every little bit helps. Plus it's better than sitting at home worrying the trails won't be open for sled season (or winter Atving if that's your passion).

[Oerlikon80]

You could always come join our group on Sunday we're meeting at that Esso cardlock east of Richer. I think the least thing conservation could do is let people take the fallen wood home for firewood all that wood just adds to all the fuel already in the forest and makes the forest fires worse and more devastating.

[JAG GAL]

Originally Posted by Oerlikon80

You could always come join our group on Sunday we're meeting at that Esso cardlock east of Richer. I think the least thing conservation could do is let people take the fallen wood home for firewood all that wood just adds to all the fuel already in the forest and makes the forest fires worse and more devastating.

I would love to join the group, but unfortunately work gets in the way of EVERYTHING this weekend, lol.

[garyh]

Well it is nice to hear that they are getting together to start the clean up. It is an over wheleming amount of trees to clear. It will be nice to see the various user groups out there working together for one common goal. After this weekend I should have most of the private properties and repairs to out building done for awhile. I think then it will be time to help out on trail clearing and help out our local snowmobile club. Maybe this will help the relationship between the user groups. Thanks.

[boakley]

amazing the number of trees down. Unless you see it first hand you would never believe.

My 5ha cottage lot in RM Piney has about 150 - 200 down alone! got 20 cut up and put through the diesel chipper / shredder. At this rate would need another solid 2 weeks to clean up if I didn't do anything else like going to work.

A new twist: did go for a small sxs ride wednesday, Sure didn't get very far. And now with all the moisture in the last month areas that were dry enough all year and maybe able enough to support some equipment are now wet/muddy, etc... In my area the beaver ponds that were dry all year are now FULL.

Me thinks a lot of areas will need to freeze up before work can even begin.

I think it will be years before alot of the trails are open again. All this rain lately is not going to help and if a big dump of snow comes this winter it will only make matters slower. Seems like a real bad situation from many fronts. And those trails that are open like the fire gaurds will see a lot of traffic as so many of the other trials are impassable.

even with 1,000 volunteers the task ahead is enormous and can only imagine a lot of the side trails will never be opened again.

[Oerlikon80]

It's too bad the Provincial Government isn't a little more proactive and quicker to respond to these things and give out permits for people and companies to clean up the trails and use the fallen trees for firewood and or lumber. If conditions are dry again next year what will all this downed wood do for the fire season? There is enough damage from this year and last year's fires as it is in the Sandilands alone.

[TOOTHPICK]

Originally Posted by RAZORNATOR

Who do we contact to get involved .

Dave Boutang, President of the S.E. Sno-Riders says they could use more volunteers to assist in the clean-up. He adds people can call Trail Coordinator Jeff Sorokowski 204-429-2049 after 7 p.m.