Snowmobiles need state trail sticker

People planning to ride on any state or grant-in-aid snowmobile trail in Minnesota this winter are required to purchase a Minnesota Snowmobile State Trail sticker for their snowmobile. State legislators passed the new sticker law during the 2005 legislative session. The law went into effect Oct. 1.

The trail sticker is $16 for an annual permit and $31 for a three-year sticker which can only be purchased at the time of registration or renewal of registration. The price includes a $1 filing fee. The annual permit will only be valid from Nov. 1 through April 30 of each year. Anyone caught without a valid trail sticker will be required to purchase an annual permit at the price of the three-year permit, $31, plus applicable fines.

According to the legislation, the revenue generated from the trail pass must be used for grants-in-aid, trail maintenance, grooming, and easement acquisition. The funds will go to clubs to support their maintenance and grooming costs.

The annual Minnesota Snowmobile State Trail sticker can be purchased from a deputy registrar or any of the electronic licensing agents throughout Minnesota or by telephone at 1-888-665-4236.

The three-year sticker may only be purchased at the time of snowmobile registration at a deputy registrar office or through the mail from the DNR at 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155.

Additional information about the state trail sticker, including proper placement, can be found in the 2005-2006 Snowmobile Regulations handbook or on the DNR website at www.dnr.state.mn.us.

More than 18,000 miles of the 20,385 miles of snowmobile trails in Minnesota are groomed and maintained by local volunteer snowmobile clubs through the grant-in-aid program.