Whitehorse residents want defined snowmobile trails

A Whitehorse resident is asking city council to restrictsnowmobiles to motorized trails.

Dorothy Lebel says the current bylaw allows snow machines off-trail in greenbelts and on non-motorized trails providing they don't damage vegetation oroperate in 'Environmentally Sensitive Areas'.

The Active Trails Whitehorse Association member says the rules are not followed in the Riverdale subdivision.

They often flatten or even break trees. I oftensee snowmobiles driving on sensitive areas, and I believe this happens because they may be driving on the Grey Mountain Road and decide to drive off the roadwhere they can cause a good deal of damage to vegetation, says Lebel.

She says there are plenty of trailsaround Riverdale designated for motorized traffic that snowmobilers can use

Whitehorse City Council is currently reviewing its bylaws around all-terrain vehicle and snowmobile use. The city offers more than 200 kilometres of trail which includes different styles. There is single-track for bicycle and walking use, paved sections within the city and connections to the Trans Canada Trail.

The city is examining the gaps between the city bylaw and territorial legislation set to come in effect this spring.

Whitehorse City Council is also considering whether Rotary Centennial Bridge, a pedestrian walkway across the Yukon River connecting the Millennium Trail, should be open to motorized off-road vehicles.

Snowmobile enthusiasts have also made their case to the city and have begun a letter-writing campaign. Theirinterests are represented by the non-profit Klondike Snowmobile Association.