Have a Trail Complaint?
Here is the procedure for doing something about it.
The following procedure is laid out to ensure that complaints are investigated and followed up on in an efficient and constructive manner and that the local club is part of the process of resolution.
Landowner complaint criterion: A landowner is any person who owns or occupies property on which there is an issue with snowmobile operation, whether or not an official trail crosses that property
Trail complaint criterion: Signage deficiencies or unsafe structures affecting trail safety; lack of grooming, only if there is evidence that no grooming is occurring; and lack of trail # and junction ID signs on maintained trails
1. Trail and Landowner complaints received by NYSSA in any form that have not been dealt with satisfactorily by clubs themselves, shall be handled by the NYSSA Trail Coordinator. Upon receipt of a complaint by any NYSSA Officer, staff or District Director, the complaint is to be immediately forwarded to the Trail Coordinator via email and acknowledged by the Trail Coordinator within two business days.
2. Complaints can also be sent directly from a concerned snowmobiler to the Trail Coordinator via email or phone 1-888-624-3849 ext 102. The Trail Coordinator is to acknowledge the complaint within two business days to the referring party.
3. The Trail Coordinator is to first investigate a complaint to determine if it is valid and is referencing a state-funded or club-maintained trail. This should be accomplished as soon as possible and may require a physical inspection of the trail in question.
4. In order for a complaint to be investigated, the original complainant shall provide their name and address to the Trail Coordinator. The complainant may choose to remain anonymous to the club and process, unless non-disclosure prevents final resolution of the complaint.
5. If the complaint is confirmed to have substance, the Trail Coordinator will complete the following:
a. Contact the club, including all its Officers, to explain the nature of the complaint and seek out a resolution;
b. Inform the respective District Director (if any); and
c. Keep the District Director (if any) informed of all progress on resolving the complaint.
6. In some instances, the Trail Coordinator may determine that a signage deficiency complaint warrants an inspection by a STEP Trails Advisor and/or the Trails Coordinator. If warranted and the inspection reveals that the alleged deficiency is present and not in compliance with the NYSSA adopted signing guidelines, the following will be notified:
a. Responsible Club officials;
b. District Director (if any);
c. NYSSA Trails and Safety/Education Committees; and,
d. OPRHP snowmobile unit.
– All such notifications must be accompanied by photographs that accurately illustrate the continued presence of said signage deficiency. It should be noted that the involvement of any STEP Trails Advisor must be initiated by the Trails Coordinator to be considered an “authorized STEP inspection” with regard to said deficiency.
7. Once a resolution is reached, the Trail Coordinator will complete the following:
a. Notify the complainant and District Director (if any) of the outcome; and,
b. Update the Trails and Safety Committees prior to or at the next regular NYSSA Board meeting on each viable complaint, with the nature of the complaint, status of the process, and final resolution.
