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Posted: January 20, 2009
(Barrie, ON January 05, 2009): Across Ontario,
snowmobilers have been doing their part to keep nature
beautiful for more than 40 years. This January, the Ontario
Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) celebrates these
achievements during Provincial Snowmobiling Environment
Month and reminds snowmobilers: to stay on OFSC trails; to
leave tracks not trash; to avoid noisy after market
mufflers; and to maintain sleds at peak operating
efficiency.
Environment month celebrates snowmobiling’s evolution to
cleaner and more advanced technology. Today’s snowmobiles
run more efficiently, effectively and quieter than ever
before, with 98% fewer hydrocarbons and 94% less sound than
older sleds. Significantly reduced emissions, virtual
elimination of smoke and smell, and much greater fuel
efficiency herald a good news story for the future of
snowmobiling. Overall, snowmobiles account for only a small
fraction of all the motor fuel burned annually in Ontario.
Provincial Snowmobiling Environment Month also highlights
that the presence of OFSC snowmobiling is contained, minimal
and seasonal. While Ontario’s total land area is just over
900,000 square kilometres, the surface footprint of all OFSC
snowmobile trails is approximately 122 square kilometres,
about the same as one good-sized town. By choosing to ride
on clearly defined and organized trails that take up less
than .0025% of our overall landmass, OFSC snowmobilers
substantially reduce interaction with wildlife and plants.
In addition, trail riding occurs with a blanket of snow
protecting the earth, thereby further mitigating any impact.
After the snow melts, nature flourishes again from spring to
fall on OFSC trails.
Provincial Snowmobiling Environment Month is also a
celebration of many OFSC stewardship accomplishments. Each
OFSC snowmobiler contributes one dollar from the fee for a
Snowmobile Trail Permit to the OFSC Environment Fund. The
OFSC has invested more than $1.35 million from this fund to
underwrite worthy environment projects such as fuel
containment systems, erosion control, and reseeding and
replanting.
Recent Environment Fund initiatives also include sponsoring
a University of Waterloo engineering team for the Society of
Automotive Engineers (SAE) Clean Snowmobile Challenge. This
annual international competition helps create new technology
to further reduce exhaust emissions and sound. Meanwhile,
the OFSC is also partnering with the internationally
recognized School of Environmental and Natural Resource
Sciences (SENRS) at Fleming College (Peterborough, Lindsay,
Cobourg & Haliburton) to work strategically in advancing
environmental and natural resources stewardship programs and
initiatives.
The OFSC is committed to proactive leadership and support
for snowmobiling and snowmobile trails, to conserve, protect
and appreciate the environment in a responsible, long-term
sustainable way, which enhances the health, enjoyment and
prosperity of Ontarians, by working with stakeholders in
many ways, including effective planning, education, programs
and environmental
projects.
For more OFSC Provincial Snowmobiling Environment Month
info,
please contact Leta Elsner at 705.739.7669
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