By Cecilia Nasmith

Northumberland County Council says that trails in the Northumberland County Forest will remain closed to snowmobiling indefinitely, based on a lack of progress in reaching a user agreement with the local snowmobile club.

These trails are typically accessible to snowmobilers through an annual agreement between the county and the Great Pine Ridge Snowmobile Association. Following more than a year and a half of discussion and negotiation to arrive at an updated agreement – which would ensure continued access while strengthening protections from liability and risk for county taxpayers - an agreement is still outstanding, prompting council to take this step.

In an open letter issued today to members of the GPRSA, county council acknowledged that “this is disappointing news for many in our community who look forward to snowmobiling as an opportunity to enjoy the forest, connect with nature, and have fun with friends and family.

“This is not the outcome council was striving for. However, without a proper agreement in place, the burden of risk related to this recreation activity is simply too great to place on Northumberland taxpayers.”

In late 2019, following a standard review of the existing annual Memorandum of Understanding with the GRPSA, Northumberland County proposed an updated user agreement. With motorized sports like snowmobiling representing a higher degree of risk for accidents and injuries than other recreation activities permitted in the forest (and with municipalities across Ontario facing growing liability and insurance costs under the provincial Joint and Several Liability framework), an updated agreement was deemed a necessary step.

Without enhanced protections, under current Joint and Several Liability legislation, a serious legal claim could result in Northumberland County paying 100% of the damage awards even if found only 1% responsible for the claim. This presents the potential of a substantial property-tax increase to fund this cost.

The response of council - as a steward of taxpayer dollars – was to direct that an updated standard agreement be circulated to all clubs representing motorized trail users in the county forest in order to mitigate this risk. This updated agreement was quickly finalized with clubs representing ATVers and off-road motorcyclers, ensuring these activities could move forward for the summer season.

Despite a deadline of May 31, 2021, for implementation of an agreement with the snowmobile club, an agreement remained outstanding as of council's June 16 meeting.

In its letter to GPRSA members, council expressed appreciation for the history of collaboration between the county and the GPRSA.

“We are hopeful that we will receive a signed agreement from the club in the future, enabling snowmobilers to access the trails once again, while ensuring an acceptable level of risk for the county and Northumberland taxpayers,” the letter said.

“Until that time, trails in the forest must regrettably remain closed to snowmobiling.”

The full open letter from Northumberland County Council to members of the Great Pine Ridge Snowmobile Association is posted at Northumberland.ca/SnowmobileTrailClosures.