Oregon State Snowmobile Association Wins Recreational Trails Program Achievement Award

Congratulations to Oregon Trails Coalition member organization and valued partner, the Oregon State Snowmobile Association, who was honored with an award for their work at the Coalition for Recreational Trails' 2026 Tom Petri Recreational Trails Program Achievement Awards Ceremony in Washington D.C. on June 25th.

The Oregon State Snowmobile Association (OSSA) implemented a comprehensive trail maintenance and enhancement project across multiple federal land jurisdictions, delivering meaningful improvements to trail conditions, user safety, and environmental stewardship. This large-scale effort was carried out through 16 active contracts spanning 16 counties and 9 National Forests, combining contracted services with dedicated volunteer labor to maximize both efficiency and impact. Encompassing approximately 277 miles of trail, the project extended beyond winter grooming to include year-round maintenance and rehabilitation, ensuring trails remain accessible, sustainable, and safe for a wide range of users. Through a coordinated operational structure, OSSA executed 16 formal contracts along with volunteer labor contributions from local clubs and members. The total projected cost was $240,733.20 with a two-year completion timeline; however, OSSA successfully completed the project under budget and nine months ahead of schedule, demonstrating strong fiscal responsibility and effective use of resources. Learn about the other national winners.

The Recreational Trails Program returns federal gasoline taxes paid by off-highway recreationists to states for both motorized and non-motorized trail development and maintenance. Oregon's RTP program is administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, and will have a new cycle of funding opening September 1.

Oregon Trails Coalition has joined many national partners in the National Coalition for Recreational Trails in advocating for full funding for the popular and oversubscribed program in line with the most recent study of the fuel tax paid by off highway recreationists. Early drafts of the anticipated federal transportation reauthorization bill preserve funding for this critical program for trails, but fail to address the decades-old funding shortfall from the original intent of the legislation, leaving many wonderful, eligible, community trails projects in Oregon and states across the nation without funding every year. We will continue to advocate for full funding for recreation trails.