TO:  INTERESTED SNOWMOBILERS FROM:  Christine Jourdain As you probably know, the Highway Bill passed (finally!!) last week out of conference committee.  It appears it will be signed by the President next week.  There are a lot of details that are not readily available, but we've been able to get some of the basic details. The final amount for the Recreational Trails Program is $370 Million, which breaks down: 2005     $60 Million 2006       70 Million 2007       75 Million 2008       80 Million 2009       85 Million This is an increase of approximately 64% from the TEA-21 levels.  Not as much as we requested, but an increase, nonetheless, in a very tight budget. A big win for motorized users, THANKS to the snowmobilers, is the deletion of the 30/30 waiver provision, except for small states -- which are defined as states less 3,500,00 acres. Another addition is the authorization of funding for non-law enforcement trail safety and trail-use monitoring patrol programs and trail-related training from 5% allowable for use on educational programs for safety and environmental protection. YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK:  Yeah!!  Another victory in Congress last week when a rider was successfully attached to the Interior Appropriations bill that directs the National Park Service to keep in effect this coming winter a rule that authorizes use of up to 720 snowmobiles each day in the Park.  This is in effect, blocks the federal courts from barring the use of snowmobiles this winter. That does not mean the battle is over -- we're still there which does not please many of the green groups.  They're still doing their best to get the gates closed and locked on us .... they continue to try to wear us down. We need you to send a letter, very simple if you just click on our website, www.snowmobilers.org.  Print off the letter -- as many times as you need to get signatures from all of your family members and friends, then send it in.  Time is of the essence, so please don't delay -- do it today. If your snowmobile club has an upcoming event, take some letters with you.  If your family is having a family reunion, take some letters with you.  Numbers count -- and unfortunately we always lose there.  With your added help, maybe we can up our numbers this time around!! Thanks to each and every one of you for your help!!  Battles like these cannot be won without the hard work and passion that every snowmobiler has!! Have a great weekend! WEBSITE:  Don't forget to check out the new ACSA website, www.snowmobilers.org