The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs says they hope to come to an agreement with the Grand River Conservation Authority.
Following a release by the GRCA saying they could not accept requested amendments to their agreement with local snowmobile clubs, OFSC CEO Landon French says the local clubs have a longstanding relationship with the GRCA and their trail system.
"We've been a partner of theirs for many years and the local clubs and districts have done a lot of work to promote those trails and build those trails through the Grand River Conservation Authority. We want to continue to be partners."
French says they have agreements with over 18,000 landowners for over 30,000 km of trails province wide, including 30 of 32 conservation authorities.
"The terms are the same whether you're a provincial park, a conservation authority or a private citizen allowing us to have trails on your farm, for example."
In regards to the GRCA insurance and liability issues detailed in their release, French says the only insurance the OFSC can obtain is general liability insurance for snowmobile related activities.
"The only insurance we can acquire is insurance for snowmobile related activity, whether that's preparing a trail, grooming a trail or riding on a trail. Any other activity on these trails we just can't cover and don't cover in any other part of the province."
French says he's confident an agreement can be reached that benefits the clubs and the GRCA this season.