No snowmobiling allowed on GRCA lands for 2020-2021 season

There won't be any snowmobiling allowed on Grand River Conservation Authority lands for the 2020-2021 season.

The decision comes after theconservation authority and snowmobile clubs were unable to reach a license agreement, according to the GRCA.

In September 2019, the GRCA says it received a request from some snowmobile clubs in a variety of areas to amend some of the clauses in their agreements, which were up for renewal.

The proposed changeswould have increased the GRCA's obligations, liability and risk as a private landowner, according to the conservation authority.

The GRCA goes on to say that in order to accept the changes from the snowmobile clubs, it wouldneed to develop an enhanced risk management program, including moreinspections, signage, equipment and staffing. But the conservation authority doesn't have the resources or framework to make those changes, according to the GRCA.

"While we would like to reach an agreement with the clubs, we must also consider other factors associated with the changes they have proposed," saidGRCA chair Helen Jowett in a press release.