Groomer tracking approvals and supporting documentation from Iowa snowmobile clubs are due to the Iowa Snowmobile Trail Grant Program (ISTGP) May 1. All entries can be made on the Groomer Tracking Systems (GTS) website at ia.groomertrackingsystems.com. This includes uploading copies of fuel and expenses receipts related to grooming logs.
According to ISTGP co-administrator Chris Willey, GTS has corrected and rerun the data for the tracking. With last season being the first year and a data-gathering process, the ISTGP is going to pay both funded and non-funded mileage entries. Non-funded entries will be paid based on review by the ISTGP committee.
"We understand due to discrepancies in the mapping and tracking that grooming trails may have been recorded as 'Non-Funded' that are actually 'Funded' trails," Willey explained. "If we have reason to believe an entry should not be paid, we will get clarification from the club before not paying those miles. We are continuing to work to get these trails corrected for the future."
Willey reminded clubs that the ISTGP is not able to approve and pay mileage until the request is approved at the club level and submitted.
2024-25 Grant Applications
All clubs that plan to have trails next winter need to submit a grant application for the 2024-25 season by June 1. even if they don't have any major repairs or trail work. The grant application covers the club's cooperative agreement to have and operate a groomer along with the mileage reimbursement. The dollar per mile amount for the 2024-25 season has not been set.
"The ISTGP committee will review the budget at our July meeting and determine the amount at that time," Willey said. "Changes in RTP, Registration and Trail pass numbers and current legislation all play factors in our budget and what we have to work with."
The grant application for Trail Signs, Trail improvement or Development, Groomer Repairs and Requests is available on the GTS SNARS site. Willey said the ISTGP has "simplified" the grant process, and both forms should be "easier to submit" without having to download it and email it back
The application must be filled out at minimum with club contact information to qualify for insurance coverage, groomer use and trail mileage payment. Trail improvement projects and equipment requests are optional. Major groomer repairs have a separate form. Please note fuel and basic maintenance costs are covered by the trail mileage reimbursement. The Trail Sign Request is similar to those forms in the past.
V&V Insurances Invoices
The invoices clubs received in the mail are to notify you of your club's trail insurance coverage for the 2024-25 season. Clubs do not need to take any action. ISTGP pays that invoice in one large payment on behalf of each club as part of their trail grant.
"We paid that in April, and all clubs are insured for the coming year," Willey said.
Please email the issa.rsc@gmail.com for more information or questions on the ISTGP program.
