Nevis Trailblazers administrator Karl Dierkhising presented Hubbard County Commissioners with the club's updated snowmobile trail grooming route this week.
The last comprehensive listing of trails was compiled 30 years ago when permits were first issued for grooming, he told the board.
As club administrator, Dierkhising said he has been contacting private landowners, townships and counties that have legal trails crossing their land or rights of way. He will garner current signatures for the trail permits.
The club "kept current with private landowners, but has left townships and counties as is when they were originally signed, unless new areas were added or changed.
"Some of these date as far back as 1979," he told commissioners.
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The permits are still viable, as they are open ended unless terminated by written notice, he explained. But he recommended a five-year "rotation," to keep current signatures on file.
The club grooms approximately 110 miles of trails, seven drivers rotating shifts to head out five days a week. Dierkhising, who works full time as an auto mechanic, is often aboard the Tucker from midnight to 6 a.m. Saturday nights.
The route sends groomer drivers through Mantrap, Nevis and Crow Wing Lake townships, as well as Huntersville in Wadena County.
The club will no longer be grooming the Shallow River bridge this winter, located west of Nevis, Dierkhising said they recently learned.
Snowmobiles will be allowed, but the maximum weight limit on the bridge has been set at 1,000 pounds, precluding the groomer Dierkhising explained.
The Crow Wing River bridge on Akeley's western brim was deemed impassable by the groomer last winter, a weight limit of 1,500 pounds.
The weight limits preclude about three miles of trail grooming near Nevis and about a mile near Akeley, he said.
"The DNR is looking for bonding money for bridge replacement," Dierkhising said.
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Grants are provided to snowmobile clubs based on location in the state, average snowfall, length of season and other criteria. Funding comes from snowmobile registration fees, snowmobile trail passes and 1 percent of un-refunded gas tax .
The portion of expenses not covered under the grants are paid for by clubs through fundraisers and donations.
