New Brunswick All Terrain Vehicle Federation Federation News Volume 5, Issue 1 January 2010 President s Message Inside this issue: Joint Trail Projects 2 Mandatory ATV Trail Passes New Presidents + Executive Committees 3 3-4 Meetings 5-6 Paid Newspapers Articles NBATVF Executive Members: President - Daniel Boucher Vice-President - Herman Berry Secretary - Marc Haché Treasurer - Paul Branscombe 7-8 General Manager - Jacques Poirier NBATVF Office 1925 Hanwell Road, Unit C Hanwell, New Brunswick E3C 1M4 Phone: (506) 472-5130 or (506) 459-1411 or 1-888-847-1100 Fax: (506) 472-5140 Email: nbatving@nb.aibn.com Communications Coordinator: Jacques Nadeau Aim Far and Aim Well: Planning Our Future Our Way! Hello Fellow ATV Enthusiasts: It seems we just started the year 2010, yet our agenda is already full. Several projects are now underway with input required from Federation members. Remember - and be assured - that the Federation will not always be pushing you so hard for information. Remember that this is a time of great opportunity and that these are crucial trail building years for us. We have looked for funding for so long to build our trails and now it is here. And what timing: it seems that no sooner have we created our Strategic Development Plan that envisions a provincial ATV trail network, than this new Federal Infrastructure program arrives, supported by a Province willing to help us with funding as well! These are the years we will look back upon as the good old days when we worked so hard together, from information gathering to paperwork to building trails, in order to make our dreams come true. Our work plan pushes us to better plan, organize and structure our ways of doing things. We are growing in so many ways and some of this may be unwelcome, or you may see something as not contributing to our common goal of Viewing New Brunswick from the Inside more trails, linked provincially. If this is the case, please send me your feedback with real suggestions on how your Federation and its member clubs could improve or innovate in new directions. Our success lies in our ability to plan our needs for ongoing and long term. And of course this Daniel Boucher, NBATVF President means that we must work together, contributing the information and effort that we are each able to provide for the common good. As you prepare your project submissions, please feel free to contact us for assistance. Your success is the success of all, and we will work with you to ensure the best outcome for your project. Remember the strength of this Federation: we are building trails simultaneously and soon we will achieve our Vision of a Provincial trail that connects all clubs around the province. It is achievable and it is within reach. Bravo to all of us who are working towards it. In the meantime happy winter riding! And be careful on the trails. Daniel Boucher, President
Page 2 Joint Trail Projects In 2009, we were fortunate enough to receive funding for 31 ATV trail projects worth more than $1.3 million. In addition, 7 more projects were approved for funding by the National Trail Coalition (NTC). These 3-way projects were submitted jointly by the New Brunswick All Terrain Vehicle Federation (NBATVF), the New Brunswick Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (NBFSC), and the New Brunswick Trails Council Inc. (NBTCI). The total cost of these projects is $1.3 million. NTC is providing $650,000 (half of the cost). The 7 joint trail projects are: Name Location Description Total Cost NTC Contribution Lower Brighton Culvert Hartland Replace concrete culvert Grog Brook # 3 Bridge Robinsonville Rehabilitate and replace parts Five Fingers Brook Bridge Saint-Quentin Rehabilitate concrete foundation White s Brook Bridge Kedgwick Rehabilitate concrete footings Upsalquitch River Bridge Robinsonville Rehabilitate concrete foundation $110,000 $55,000 $200,000 $100,000 $25,000 $12,500 $55,000 $27,500 $340,000 $170,000 Pokemouche Bay Bridge Inkerman Replace steel beams $450,000 $225,000 Bartholomew River Bridge Blackville Rehabilitate concrete $120,000 $60,000 Inside Story Headline foundation Total -- -- $1,300,000 $650,000 Request for Federal ATV Trail Funding We are very confident that the Federal government will extend the program to 2010. We are asking Federation Clubs to submit their 2010 ATV trail development request to the Federation office by March 31, 2010. The 3rd Annual "WHEEL N FOR KIDNEY HEAL N" The 3rd Annual "WHEEL N FOR KIDNEY HEAL N'" is revving up for another great year of Wheeln, Winnin, and Fun, and we need your help. Last year we put out a challenge to the ATV clubs of New Brunswick to raise as much money as they could to help those living with kidney disease and with the support of the NB ATV Federation and 3 of its club they raised over $9000 for The Kidney Foundation of Canada. The club that raised the most money, the York North Ridge Runners, won $1000 in cash sponsored in part by Richard Ames of Exit Realty, and the individual that raised the most money, Stanley Crouse, won a $500 gift certificate from MacLean's Sports. The Kidney Foundation has provided each club with the tools they needed to promote and collect pledges for their "Wheel n for Kidney Heal n Event", the posters, the pledgeforms, and the Grand Prizes. The ATV Clubs generously invited members from their clubs and their communities to come out for a great day of ATVing. Keep checking out the NB ATV Federation website and news letter for more details on how your club can help and have a chance to win! For more information about this event and The Kidney Foundation of Canada call 1-877-453-0533, click www.kidney.ca/nbpei, or email amber.morgan@kidney.ca.
Page 3 Mandatory ATV Trail Passes In a letter received in December 2009 by Federation President Daniel Boucher, the Minister of Public Safety Hon. John Winston Foran confirmed that his Department will not yet proclaim legislation to make the ATV passes mandatory. Your Federation will continue to lobby for the necessary legislative tools to enforce the mandatory ATV trail passes system approved by our delegates at the 2009 AGM. A meeting will be scheduled shortly with the Ministers of Public Safety and Natural Resources. Cost of ATV Riders Safety Course Please note that there will be some changes starting in 2010 to the cost of ATV Riders Safety Course. The cost of the course is $100. However, the New Brunswick All Terrain Vehicle Federation offers the following discounts: 100% reduction for children from 6 to 15: cost = $0 80% reduction for members: cost = $20 Consequently, the cost for a non-member is $100. Starting on April 1st, 2010 there will be a cost of $35 for the use of a Federation s ATV during the course. New President for the Kedgwick ATV Club Roland Truchon is the new President of the Kedgwick ATV Club in replacement of François Savoie. Congratulations Roland! Thank you for your services François. The other members of the Executive are: Vice President: Edgar Béchard Treasurer and Secretary: Marie-Reine Simon Directors: Gisèle Coulombe Roland Simon Maxime Savoie Old train station along the ATV trail New President for the Skedaddle Ridge Trails People Inc. ATV Club Lee Byram is the new President of the Skedaddle Ridge Trails People Inc. ATV Club. Congratulations Lee! Thank you to Allison Kent, former President, for all his hard work. The other members of the Executive are: Vice-President: Paul Badgley Treasure: Villa MacKenzie Secretary: Marilyn Everett Membership: Beryl de Beaupré Directors: Allison Kent Beryl de Beaupré Lorne Craig (Honorary) Lloyd Culberson Marilyn Everett Donnie Hayes Meetings with Brun-Way On November 24, 2009 and December 11, 2009, Federation President Daniel Boucher met with representatives from Brun-Way in Fredericton. The purpose of these meetings was to discuss part of the draft highway usage permit document (HUP) for bridges and trails between Grand Falls and Saint-Léonard.
Page 4 New President for the Memramcook ATV Club Jean-Guy Chevarie is the new President for the Memramcook ATV Club. Congratulations Jean-Guy! Thank you to Eugene Cormier, Past President. The other members of the Executive are: Vice President: Conrad Cormier Treasury: Roger Landry Secretary: Micheline LeBlanc Directors: Brian Cormier Charles Landry Guy LeBlanc Rejean LeBlanc Allain Richard Jean-Guy Chevarie, President New President for the Club VTT 2000 ATV Club On December 14, 2009, Rodolphe Roy was elected as new President of the Club VTT 2000 ATV Club. Congratulations Rodolphe! We offer our thanks to Marcel LeBlanc, former President. The other members of the Executive Committee are: Vice President #1: Camille Haché Vice President #2: Gino Bérubé Secretary: Louis Bérubé Treasurer: John Barbour Rodolphe Roy, President New President for Club VTT de l Ile de Lamèque Gaetan Paulin has been elected as new President of the Club VTT de l Ile de Lamèque. Congratulations Gaetan! We offer our thanks to Dany Chiasson, former President. The other members of the Executive Committee are: Vice President: Roger Ferron Secretary: Paul-Aurèle Haché Treasurer: Roger Ferron Gaetan Paulin Bill 21 Approved On December 18, 2009, Bill 21, An Act to Amend the Off- Road Vehicle Act was approved at the Legislative Assembly and received the Royal Assent the same day. This amendment is important to both ATV and the snowmobile communities for the following reason: No action or other proceeding lies or shall be commenced against an owner or occupier of land, a municipality, Her Majesty in right of the Province, a Minister of the Crown in right of the Province, another person or body or class of person or body prescribed by regulation or an employee, officer or agent of any of them for any injury, loss or damage suffered as a result of, arising out of or stemming from a person using, operating, riding or being towed by an all-terrain vehicle on an all-terrain vehicle managed trail. Aim Far and Aim Well: Planning Our Future Our Way!
Page 5 Meeting with DNR and Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement Unit On December 3, 2009, Federation General Manager Jacques Poirier attended a meeting with representatives from the Department of Natural Resources and from the Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement Unit to discuss trail issues at Woolastook Park in the Fredericton area. Board of Directors Meeting On Sunday December 6, 2009, Federation Board of Directors met in Fredericton to deal with regular Federation matters. Trail Working Group Committee Meeting On December 8, 2009, Federation President Daniel Boucher and General Manager Jacques Poirier attended a meeting of the Provincial Trail Working Group Committee. The meeting was part of a series of meetings set to discuss various components of the Trail Master Plan for the province, to be submitted by March 2010. Meeting with the Minister of Environment On December 8, 2008, Federation President Daniel Boucher and General Manager Jacques Poirier met at the Legislative Assembly Hon. Rick Miles, Minister of Environment. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss an important issue related to the Brake Water ATV Club and their development project this year Hon. Rick Miles, Minister of Environment Meeting with Ambulance NB On December 14, 2009, Federation President Daniel Boucher and General Manager Jacques Poirier attended a meeting in Miramichi City with representatives from Ambulance New Brunswick (ANB). Representatives from the New Brunswick Federation of Snowmobile Clubs were also in attendance. The purpose of the meeting was to receive information from ANB on their operation and to identify with the participants how they could work together in case of an emergency on ATV and on snowmobile trails. An action plan will be developed in the near future. Meeting on Joint-Use Trails On December 14, 2009, Federation President Daniel Boucher and General Manager Jacques Poirier attended a meeting in Miramichi City with representatives from the Department of Natural Resources, the New Brunswick Federation of Snowmobile Clubs and the New Brunswick Trails Council. The purpose of the meeting was to finalize the procedures for the implementation of a section of joint-use trails in Le Goulet area (agreement, signage, communications with members and the public, etc.). The Le Goulet model will be used in other areas of the province. Our work plan pushes us to better plan, organize and structure our ways of doing things.
Page 6 Meeting with the Tourism Industry Association of New Brunswick On December 16, 2009, Federation General Manager Jacques Poirier met at the Federation office with Scott Kennan from the Tourism Industry Association of New Brunswick. The purpose of the meeting was to explore the possibility for our Federation to become a member of the Association. The Tourism Industry Association of New Brunswick is the voice of tourism in the province. As a representative and industry driven organization, the Association provides leadership and direction, aiming towards making tourism a strong, competitive, sustainable growth industry in New Brunswick. Message from Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline We have been asked by Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline to share the message below with all our clubs and members. Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline (M&NP), through our aerial patrol, observe recreational traffic, including ATV s along our rights of way. Please note that M&NP does not own the lands through which our pipeline traverses, but rather we have secured a right of way or easement from private and corporate property owners. Therefore, these pipelines easements and rights of way should be treated as private property and permission for travel on them must be obtained from the private or corporate landowner. With respect to those lands owned by the Crown through which we traverse, we would recommend appropriate permission be obtained from the respective regional offices of DNR for ATV travel. In addition, the National Energy Board (NEB), our regulator, views ATV (and other recreational) traffic on our Right of Ways (RoW s) as unauthorized activities that require permission from the pipeline company. Even if permission is granted by landowners along our easement, M&NP does have a legal right to protect the integrity of our pipeline system. One of the key components of our pipeline integrity system is the Call Before You Dig safety messages displayed on the red and white signage along our Right of Way. These signs are imperative to us for indicating to the public and potential third party contractors, the presence of a high pressure natural gas pipeline. In closing, M&NP request that the ATV ing communities respect the NEB regulations, the landowner s private land and the surrounding environment, particularly those areas adjacent to rivers and streams which may have an unstable ground surface. Newspapers Articles on ATV and the Federation Newspaper articles paid by the Federation will be published in the Telegraph Journal and l Acadie Nouvelle on Wednesday December 16, 2009. The purpose of the articles is to promote ATVing and the Federation and its clubs on a positive note. You will find the articles on page 7 and 8 of this newsletter. Our success lies in our ability to plan our needs for ongoing and long term. And of course this means that we must work together, contributing the information and effort that we are each able to provide for the common good.
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