Snowmobile impacts on the environment and residents' quality of life:
Snowmobiles are known to cause a number of environmental impacts when driven off-trail: vegetation damage due to snow compaction; destruction of sub-nivean habitat; and stress to wildlife. Generally, the Whitehorse area does not get enough snow depth to prevent vegetation damage from snow compaction. In addition, vegetation that protrudes above the snow isn't always flexible enough to withstand being driven over without damage (bark stripped, branches snapped).
Below are just a couple of the many studies about snowmobile impacts.
Snowmobiles are known to cause a number of environmental impacts when driven off-trail: vegetation damage due to snow compaction; destruction of sub-nivean habitat; and stress to wildlife. Generally, the Whitehorse area does not get enough snow depth to prevent vegetation damage from snow compaction. In addition, vegetation that protrudes above the snow isn't always flexible enough to withstand being driven over without damage (bark stripped, branches snapped).
Below are just a couple of the many studies about snowmobile impacts.
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Yukon government brochure summarizing snowmobile impacts in the Yukon (click the link below or icon on the right):
http://www.env.gov.yk.ca/environment-you/documents/SnowmobilesandtheYukonEnvironment.pdf |
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Popular Mechanics has an excellent article on low-impact snowmobiling, recommending that snowmobilers:
“Stay on the trail. Designated snowmobiling trails are meant to protect vulnerable ground. Stay on marked trails and never take your snowmobile across wetlands, along shorelines, or into streams or riverbeds—these areas are especially sensitive to disruption. If you want to explore these places, park beside the trail and walk in (if it is legal to do so).”
See the full article at the following link:
https://www.popularmechanics.com/adventure/outdoors/a10039/the-secrets-of-low-impact-snowmobiling-16443445/
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The Klondike Snowmobile Association (KSA) homepage ( https://ksa.yk.ca/ ) indicates that they are aware of snowmobile impacts. But their recommendations lack specific standards. Regrettably, their suggestion to use "pre-existing trails when available" is ambiguous.
A responsible snowmobile club would promote clear environmental protection guidelines, and state that snowmobiles should stay on designated snowmobile trails or existing back-roads.
A respectful snowmobile club would cooperate with a community’s wishes for quiet non-motorized trails and greenbelts in their neighborhood.
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Popular Mechanics has an excellent article on low-impact snowmobiling, recommending that snowmobilers:
“Stay on the trail. Designated snowmobiling trails are meant to protect vulnerable ground. Stay on marked trails and never take your snowmobile across wetlands, along shorelines, or into streams or riverbeds—these areas are especially sensitive to disruption. If you want to explore these places, park beside the trail and walk in (if it is legal to do so).”
See the full article at the following link:
https://www.popularmechanics.com/adventure/outdoors/a10039/the-secrets-of-low-impact-snowmobiling-16443445/
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The Klondike Snowmobile Association (KSA) homepage ( https://ksa.yk.ca/ ) indicates that they are aware of snowmobile impacts. But their recommendations lack specific standards. Regrettably, their suggestion to use "pre-existing trails when available" is ambiguous.
A responsible snowmobile club would promote clear environmental protection guidelines, and state that snowmobiles should stay on designated snowmobile trails or existing back-roads.
A respectful snowmobile club would cooperate with a community’s wishes for quiet non-motorized trails and greenbelts in their neighborhood.
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Some photos from the Whitehorse area...
Above: snowmobiling off-trail... and breaking trees.
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Snowmobiles are powerful. Their tracks can dig through deep snow and rip out soil & vegetation when used off-trail, as seen in the sprayed debris in the above photo. Most of the damage is still covered by snow, and will only become visible in the spring.
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Snowmobiles have been observed veering off roads or trails and ending up in prohibited environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs), where they damage fragile vegetation, as shown in the photo to the left taken in the Hidden Lakes area near Riverdale. Snowmobiling in ESAs and other areas that lack snow cover causes damage to the root zone, creates rutting, and increases erosion. These effects degrade the trails & greenspaces for all users. |
Driving snowmobiles all over greenbelts causes multiple annoyances to nearby residents, such as noise, exhaust, safety hazards, damage to vegetation, and the resulting aesthetically unpleasant rutted landscape.
The problem with Whitehorse's Snowmobile Bylaw
Whitehorse's Snowmobile Bylaw doesn't prohibit the operation of snowmobiles on non-motorized multiple use trails or off-trail, except for those areas listed under "Excluded Areas" and in Section "C" of the bylaw.
(Link to Snowmobile Bylaw: http://whitehorse.ca/home/showdocument?id=74)
The lack of a directive in the Snowmobile Bylaw to keep snowmobiles on designated Motorized Multiple Use trails is contributing to the notion that snowmobile impact is negligible, and this may lead to careless behavior. When snowmobiles use non-motorized multiple use trails, it can result in the widening of trails which only encourages more use by ATVs or snowmobiles.
According to the Snowmobile Bylaw, when operating off-trail or on non-motorized multiple use trails, snowmobiles are not to "damage any vegetation or ground." Environmentally sensitive areas (ESA's) are prohibited to snowmobile use at all times, whether covered in snow or not. Sadly, these bylaw provisions are often ignored as indicated by the above photos.
The Snowmobile Bylaw needs to be revised to restrict all snowmobiles to designated Motorized Multiple Use trails. This could be done by adding "non-motorized trails, greenbelts, open spaces" to the list of "Excluded Areas" found in the bylaw. This would be consistent with the ATV Bylaw. It would also clear up the on-going confusion about trail use by snowmobiles and ATVs.
There is an extensive network of designated motorized trails in Whitehorse for snowmobile use. Click the link below to see the City's map of designated motorized trails:
http://www.whitehorse.ca/home/showdocument?id=4210
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Whitehorse's Snowmobile Bylaw doesn't prohibit the operation of snowmobiles on non-motorized multiple use trails or off-trail, except for those areas listed under "Excluded Areas" and in Section "C" of the bylaw.
(Link to Snowmobile Bylaw: http://whitehorse.ca/home/showdocument?id=74)
The lack of a directive in the Snowmobile Bylaw to keep snowmobiles on designated Motorized Multiple Use trails is contributing to the notion that snowmobile impact is negligible, and this may lead to careless behavior. When snowmobiles use non-motorized multiple use trails, it can result in the widening of trails which only encourages more use by ATVs or snowmobiles.
According to the Snowmobile Bylaw, when operating off-trail or on non-motorized multiple use trails, snowmobiles are not to "damage any vegetation or ground." Environmentally sensitive areas (ESA's) are prohibited to snowmobile use at all times, whether covered in snow or not. Sadly, these bylaw provisions are often ignored as indicated by the above photos.
The Snowmobile Bylaw needs to be revised to restrict all snowmobiles to designated Motorized Multiple Use trails. This could be done by adding "non-motorized trails, greenbelts, open spaces" to the list of "Excluded Areas" found in the bylaw. This would be consistent with the ATV Bylaw. It would also clear up the on-going confusion about trail use by snowmobiles and ATVs.
There is an extensive network of designated motorized trails in Whitehorse for snowmobile use. Click the link below to see the City's map of designated motorized trails:
http://www.whitehorse.ca/home/showdocument?id=4210
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Quotes from various Whitehorse surveys and plans:
- 2010 Riverdale Neighbourhood Plan: Section 1.5.3, Questionnaire outcome (page 9)
“Motorized recreational vehicles (ATVs, snowmobiles) were identified as a major point of contention in the community. Many feel disturbed by motorized activity and identify it as a safety issue, particularly in regards to children. The consensus seems to be that laws regarding these vehicles are not being respected and must be more stringently enforced.”
“Furthermore, trails need to be strongly designated as motorized or non-motorized. Many also expressed concern regarding the erosion of trails, and general environmental damage caused by these vehicles.”
- 2010 Whitehorse Official Community Plan section 18.5.1:
“Where feasible, consideration shall be made to separate multi-use trails (which accommodate motorized and non-motorized recreation) from non-motorized trails. Future multi-use trail development shall avoid environmentally sensitive areas wherever possible.”
- 2011 Whitehorse Snowmobile Survey (statistically valid) results:
https://www.activetwa.org/uploads/2/2/7/6/22767404/110701_snowmobile_bylaw_report_july_2011.pdf
“It is important to separate motorized and non-motorized trail use: 59% agree 23% disagree”
(This survey was part of the 2011-2012 public consultation process for the new Snowmobile Bylaw.)
- 2014 Hillcrest Neighbourhood Plan - section 3.4.4.3:
“The City should continue to explore methods such as improved signage, barriers (Figure 11), and compliance monitoring, to ensure All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and snowmobiles are used only on trails where motorized vehicles are permitted.”
- 2015-2050 Whitehorse Sustainability Plan:
“Manage greenspace to rehabilitate, limit access, and limit fragmentation” (page 20)
- 2015 ORV impacts and management measures - Survey conducted by Yukon conservation Society, Friends of McIntyre Creek, Porter Creek Community Association
Respondents made numerous comments on the need to keep motorized vehicles off non-motorized trails summer and winter.
- 2016 Whistle Bend, Porter Creek, Takhini survey:
May 2017 “Porter Creek/Whistle Bend/Takhini/Range Point Trail Plan Report:
http://whitehorse.ca/Home/ShowDocument?id=8364 (report is on pages 17 to 24 of agenda package)
Quoting from page 5 of report:
“Survey respondents were also asked to weigh in on the matter of the designation of the paved perimeter trail in Whistle Bend. Options provided (and responses) were as follows:
• Non-motorized year-round (54% agree, 23% oppose, 23% neutral)
• Motorized winter only (34% agree, 40% oppose, 24% neutral)
• Motorized year-round (24% agree, 48% oppose, 27% neutral)”