(Note: It is important to note that an entire town are inholders and are being opposed by the park, which has swallowed up the town and wants no motorized recreation. Inholders are on the front lines of losing their freedoms and must work the hardest to protect their property rights.)

June 28, 2006

No author provided at originating website address/URL.

http://www.cbc.ca

A group in Eastern Newfoundland is lobbying the federal government to bend its rules and allow snowmobiling in a national park.

The Terra Nova Trail Riders want Ottawa to permit a corridor through Terra Nova National Park that would allow snowmobilers to access nearby trails.

It's illegal to operate a snowmobile inside the boundaries of Terra Nova, one of two national parks in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Robyn Spracklin, who lives in Charlottetown -- a community inside the park boundaries -- said it's unfair that she and others must drive for nearly 90 minutes to reach a trail.

"Everyone has to have a trailer, or a big truck or some way to tow their machine outside of the Terra Nova National Park boundaries, and to get to a location where they can go," she said.

"It is quite costly and time consuming."

The Trail Riders are appealing for federal permission to cut a 15-kilometre path from Charlottetown to another trail outside the park.

Park Superintendent Jewel Cunningham said the park opposes such a plan.

"There's a number of potential environmental impacts, such as contaminating soil and water from the exhaust emissions of snowmobiles, as well as spilled oil or gas," said Cunningham, adding that the park is concerned about disturbances to wildlife and habitat.

Copyright 2006, CBC.ca.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2006/06/28/terra-nova.html