Snowmobile enforcement nets numerous infractions

ELLENBURG | A recent heightened enforcement effort on local trails netted numerous infractions but also several opportunities for safety awareness and assistance. In the last week of January, Department of Environmental Conservation Region 5 forest rangers patrolled more than 311 miles of snowmobile trails along the Northern Tier to Santa Clara, Paul Smiths, Lake Clear, Saranac Lake, Bloomingdale, Tupper Lake and Long Lake. Rangers checked 395 snowmobiles for up-to-date registration, insurance and equipment. Multiple tickets were issued while rangers also assisted snowmobilers with replacing belts and offering directions. DEC said rangers work with snowmobile clubs and local groomers all season long to ensure safe trails each winter, officials said Feb. 1. During the Jan. 29 patrols in Ellenburg along the Cobble Hill Public Use area on the Chateaugay Woodlands Conservation Easement, rangers stopped a snowmobiler for failure to display proper registration. During the stop, rangers detected signs of intoxication and issued field sobriety tests, ultimately making an arrest for snowmobiling while intoxicated. After being processed at the New York State Police barracks in Plattsburgh, officers determined the driver had a blood-alcohol content of .13 percent. Officials are reminding riders about the dangers of impaired driving and asking all riders to be mindful of state operating laws and speed limits, including the state's maximum speed of 55 MPH, which applies on all local and club trails.

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Snowmobile enforcement nets numerous infractions

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