More gas tax funds sought for sled trails

AUGUSTA – Outdoor recreational interests want a bigger cut of the state’s gas tax to help pay for snowmobile trail grooming, boat launch construction and other programs. But some lawmakers on Monday questioned whether that was a good idea at a time when the state is trying to plug a looming hole in its highway budget.

“You have to take a broader look … ,” said Rep. Royce Perkins, R-Penobscot, at a hearing on the bill Monday. “I hear a lot more complaints about the roads [than] the snowmobile trails. There’s no comparison. It’s as simple as that.”

Many on the Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife seemed sympathetic to the plight of snowmobile clubs that rely on volunteers and shoestring budgets to groom Maine’s 12,000 miles of trails. But some seemed unsure that the answer is LD 2081, the bill that proposes increasing by $1.1 million a year to about $4 million the share of gas tax funds that go to snowmobile, ATV and motorboat programs.

About $148 million is raised annually from the 22-cent-per-gallon tax. Programs such as trail grooming and boat-launch construction now get $3 million, or about 2 percent. A University of Maine study determined last year that $1.1 million is the difference between what those programs get now from the tax and the amount paid by snowmobile, ATV and boat users in gas taxes.

Sen. Marge Kilkelly, D-Wiscasset, is the sponsor of LD 2081 and chairwoman of the two-year study of the distribution of gas tax revenue. She said money should be distributed differently so recreational users get back the share they are spending.

At the same time, Kilkelly noted she became involved because it is a typical David-and-Goliath cause.

“I’ve always sided with the Davids. This is one of those cases,” she said.

The bill’s co-sponsor, Rep. Joe Clark, D-Millinocket, called LD 2081 an “uphill fight,” but one worth pursuing, because more money is needed for education and enforcement involving snowmobile, ATV and motorboat recreation.

Bill Costs of The Forks, owner of the Inn by the River and president of the Kennebec Scenic Snow Riders, said winter businesses that rely on snowmobiling need assistance.

What Maine’s snowmobile clubs receive from the state to pay for the cost of grooming trails doesn’t compare to the revenue the sport brings to the state, according to Bob Meyers, executive director of the Maine Snowmobilers Association.

“Last year, 100,000 snowmobilers rode 145 million miles and spent $12 million in state sales tax,” he said.

But those who opposed diverting highway funds to recreational users pointed to the Department of Transportation’s impending budget shortfall.

“You’re talking about adding more to a $90 million hole,” said Rep. Charles Fisher, D-Brewer, chair of the Transportation Committee. “The way to handle a budgetary shortfall is just to start saying no.”

Mike Donohue, representing the Automobile Association of America, wanted to know what would follow if LD 2081 passed.

“What’s next, lawn mowers, snowblowers, chain saws, wood chippers?” he asked. “We’re talking about people’s toys.”

Deirdre Fleming covers outdoor sports and recreation for the NEWS. She can be reached at 990-8250 or at dfleming@bangordailynews.net.