BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

CANTON -- St. Lawrence County legislators have signed off to sponsor a snowmobile grant application through the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

According to the resolution passed during the full board meeting held July 1, St. Lawrence County has served as the local sponsor of the New York State Snowmobile Trails Grant-In-Aid Program since 1988.

The snowmobile registrations will be remitted to St. Lawrence County to be used for snowmobile trail development and maintenance, officials said.

Officials said the St.  Lawrence County Snowmobile Association and North Country Trail Maintenance Alliance are committed to continuing the maintenance of trails within the

County.

In other action, legislators also passed a resolution to sign contracts with designated trail maintenance entities associated with the New York State Snowmobile Trail Grant Program.

Officials said the program establishes a mechanism for allocating funds to local governmental sponsors engaged in the development and maintenance of snowmobile trails, designated as part of the NYS Snowmobile Trail System.

According to the resolution, the county is designated as the recipient of funds under the program and is designated as a "local sponsor" for receipt of NYS Snowmobile Grant funds.

"The Program establishes a mechanism for allocating funds to local governmental sponsors that engage in the development and maintenance of snowmobile trails designated as part of the State Snowmobile Trail System," the resolution states.

The county Planning Office has been tasked with the role of Authorized Project Administrator and will oversee the operations and deliverables on behalf of the county, officials say.

"Several snowmobile associations assist the County in maintaining the trail system and may be designated as Trail Maintenance Entities," officials said.