RAY BROOK - The state Adirondack Park Agency has approved new guidelines for snowmobile trails.

The rules are intended to improve the safety of snowmobilers while lessening the environmental effect on the Forest Preserve during the construction and maintenance of the trails.

The guidelines were approved 10-1. Commissioner Richard Booth cast the dissenting vote, saying the State Land Master Plan should be amended before the guidelines are approved.

The guidelines will move snowmobile trails from the interior of wild forest areas to the outskirts while also creating community connector trails. They allow tracked groomers on community connector trails. Snowmobile trails also will be required to have the same character as foot trails.

For the most part, the snowmobile guidelines were hailed by those involved as a major accomplishment and an example of how the state Department of Environmental Conservation, APA, snowmobile groups, local government leaders and environmental organizations could work together to achieve acceptable rules.

"I think that the theme of balance is something we have to look for in setting public policy, and to that end, I think that what you passed today represents that balance," said Mike Fischer, president of the New York State Snowmobile Association.

Fischer acknowledged the plan wasn't perfect, but that it was best to pass the compromise.

"There are environmental concerns that remain on the table," Fischer said. "There are logistical and safety concerns that remain on the table from the snowmobilers' perspective, but I do think that what you've done does give us a way to move forward."

Those who have been critical of the plan include Lake Placid Snowmobile Club President Jim McCulley and the three major Adirondack environmental advocacy organizations.

One major reasons the environmental groups objected is the process by which the guidelines were adopted. Representatives from all three have said there should have been an amendment to the State Land Master Plan before the adoption of the guidelines because they are inconsistent with those rules.

One major bone of contention is the use of tracked groomers.

Dan Plumley of Protect the Adirondacks! said his group would consider suing the state "when a unit management plan comes before this agency that attempts to actually implement the use of tracked groomers."

McCulley has fought against the assertion that snowmobiles cause environmental damage to the Forest Preserve or wildlife. He also opposed moving snowmobile trails away from the interior of wild forests, asserting that snowmobilers enjoy being in the wilderness.

Mike Lynch is an outdoors writer for The Adirondack Daily Enterprise.