Misorva Nov/Dec 2022

Michigan Snowmobile & ORV Association 4543 S. Division Ave Wyoming, MI 49548 (616) 361-2285 Fax (616) 363-0661 • www.misorva.org

Office Staff

Executive Director: Karen Middendorp karen@misorva.org • (616) 293-6256

2022 Executive Board

President: John Newman newman029@gmail.com • (586) 596-0389

Immediate Past President: Jim Kelts jkelts49@gmail.com • 989-506-3601

Vice President: Jeramey Valley jvalley@mac.com • (989) 751-6863

Secretary: Stephanie Hubbarth Bergen shb16@sbcglobal.net • (586) 524-5802

Treasurer: Mark Pankner (989) 798-0113 cell mpankner340@gmail.com

MICHIGAN MICHIGAN

Michigan Snowmobile & ORV Association News is published six times a year for $10 – September, November, January, March, May and July – by Midwest Sports Publishing Network (MSPN), 6595 Edenvale Blvd Ste 180, Eden Prairie, MN 55346. Application to mail at periodicals postage prices is pending at Eden Prairie, MN and additional entries.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Michigan Snowmobile & ORV Association, 4543 S Division Ave, Wyoming, MI 49548.

Anniv sary th

Heavy lake effect snow fell in the western U.P. of Michigan as this issue was going to print. SkiDoo dealer, Timberline Sports in Bergland, Michigan, shared this photo taken by Hamilton’s North Coast Adventures.

Features

8 ACCESSORIZE YOUR RIDE

Now is the best time to polish up your ride before all the snow flies. Take a look at a few of Arctic Cat, Polaris, Ski-Doo and Yamaha’s latest accessories.

12 FRESH SNOW

Arctic Cat has launched the all-new CATALYST snowmobile platform for 2024 and here are seven highlights. 14

FRESH DIRT

Landmaster and ARGO have each released some new EV models. These might be a great fit for your club’s trail prep tasks. 18

CAMP GRAYLING UPDATE

MISORVA shares their stance on the Camp Grayling Expansion.

CONTRIBUTIONS: Letters, manuscripts, stories, materials and photographs are welcome but cannot be returned unless sender provides a SASE. Michigan Snowmobile & ORV Association News is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photos and drawings. Submission of articles and letters implies the right to edit and publish in all or part.

ADVERTISING

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Send all advertising materials to: MSPN, Ad Department, 6595 Edenvale Blvd Ste 180, Eden Prairie, MN 55346

On the Web

Additional photos from MISORVA events can be viewed at mspninc.com/events/photos.

Digital issues of this magazine can be viewed and downloaded for free at misorva.org or mspninc.com/publications/michigan-snowmobile-news/.

For a full calendar of events in Michigan and beyond, visit mspninc.com/events.

Upcoming MISORVA

Copyright © 2022 by MSPN. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without consent of the publisher.

Events

Visit misorva.org for a list of updated MISORVA events.

Magazine Deadlines

The deadline for Club Flashback, Club News, Calendar of Events, photos and more submitted for the Jan/Feb 2023 issue is 12/5/22. Send all submissions to kale@mspninc.com or Attn: MISORVA, 6595 Edenvale Blvd Ste 180, Eden Prairie, MN 55346

PUBLISHER Joel Mellenthin EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Kale Wainer COPY EDITOR / ADMINISTRATOR Paula Jones

ART DIRECTOR Corey Friesen ADVERTISING SALES Diane Voight, Dwain Stadie PHOTO ARCHIVES C. J. Ramstad

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Kevin Beilke, David Fischer, Jim Urquhart

A FAST LAST COUPLE MONTHS

Let me start off this message with a trail challenge: in late November and early December of 2019, wind and heavy snow storms hit the snow belts in Michigan hard. This caused a lot of downed trees and obstacles on the snowmobile trails we love, and were an incredible challenge to the volunteer army that maintains the trail system.

During this time Neil Hill, the then vice president of the Straits Area Snowmobile Club, issued a challenge on social media for riders to stop and help work crews on the trail for 30 minutes. I’d like to put a twist on Neil’s challenge and ask that the riders spend the first 30 minutes of their ride removing any hazards they see in the trail. This will help the volunteer groomer drivers and club members keep the trails the best and safest they can be. This will allow the driver to keep the groomer working and not require him to stop it, get out of the cab, remove the object, and then return to the cab. With all they do for us I think this isn’t a lot to ask for, so please help them out if you can.

Wow, things have been going fast the last couple months. Let me start by apologizing to the organizers of the Allegan Snowmobile ORV Club. I had some great pictures of the ORV Amazing Race Ride that they put on and somehow they didn’t get to Kale, our editor. I will correct that.

I had two great weekends with the UTV at my buddy Mike Manson’s place in Glennie. Both rides were great times with friends. In between them, I picked up a new-to-me 2019 Ski-Doo Renegade 600 R to ride this year. It only had 1800 miles and should be great fun in the white gold.

In early September, Mary and I went on the 5th Annual SxS Run and Dinner put on by the committee to elect Dan Lauwers in Brockway, Michigan. This was an excellent ride with over 75 people. Dan has been a strong supporter of motorized recreation in Michigan. The ride had three stops and dinner in the senator’s barn. We had a great time and will definitely be back!

Then the next weekend I traveled to Eagle River, Wisconsin for the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Among those induced included two Michigan boys–Ed Klim and David Lowe. It was a fun-filled weekend with a trip through the snowmobile museum and a stop on the track where the Eagle River 500 is raced.

There was a pirate ride and chicken and fish dinner on Friday. Saturday morning the American Council of Snowmobile Associations (ACSA) held a Trails Committee Meeting at the resort at 8am. Of interest was a Trails Region Ride Thursday, February 2, till Sunday, February 5, at the Northern Waters Resort and Casino in Watersmeet, Michigan. Also discussed were trespassing, local workers shortage and the top two legislative issues in each participant’s state. This will be a great chance to get together with like-minded people and enjoy one of the sports we love. Saturday evening was the dinner and induction ceremony at the Eagle Waters Resort, a beautiful resort that reminded me of the movie Dirty Dancing.

Sunday on the way home I stopped off in Iron River and BOD member Erine Reimann gave me a personal tour of the Iron Range Trail Club Clubhouse and groomer barn. They had an excellent set up there and are using their grant from the Miracle Million Money to put in-floor heat in the shop area of the groomer barn.

Up next was a trip to Red BuDDDDDDDDDDD and the Motocross De Nations (MXON) with my cousins Al and Dan Newman. We had a great time and met up with the guys I parked next to four years ago at MXON who were from New York.

BORN FROM RACING BRED FOR THE TRAIL

The new 2023 MXZ Blizzard is the race-inspired ride you’ve been waiting for. Get precision handling and agility with maximum comfort thanks to the all-new REV Gen5 platform and a performance shock package. Plus, with your choice of powerful Rotax 850 E-TEC engines, you can be sure no matter what winter throws at you, this sled’s got it handled.

It was an international race with 27 countries sending three riders to race. Team USA came out on top for the first time since 2011. The whole weekend was great as a normal outdoor national motocross race in the United States draws around 25,000 people, the crowd was estimated at 125,000.

fall

starting in southeast Michigan, Mary and I

taken UTV rides around the house the last couple weeks checking

colors.

of mid-October they are just starting to turn. There’s

chill in the air and winter is near. On

second Friday in October, several of the executive committee will be enjoying a UTV ride in the Traverse City area led by Legislative Committee Chair Paul Anderson with special guest Tim Novak, the new State Trails Coordinator with the DNR Parks and Rec Department. This will be a great opportunity to

meet Tim and talk trails and motorized recreation.

I want to thank everyone for all the help the last two years I’ve spent as president. My term will end January 1, and was a very rewarding learning experience. With Jereamy as president, things will get taken care of, and I’ll be there to help any time I’m needed.

THINK SNOW

After a day of riding the action on the trails, come to Little River Casino Resort and keep riding the action into the night! We offer the best casino gaming, plus, we are located in the heart of Michigan’s great outdoors, where adventures like riding, fishing, hunting, hiking, skiing, golfing, and much more await you! When it comes to the best excitement in Northern Michigan, we’re right on track!

With the riding season fast approaching, now is the time to make sure your buggy is ready for another winter of adven ture with a quick tune-up and maintenance check. This is also the perfect time to refresh your returning ride, or improve your new one with accessories that complement your riding passion. With that in mind here’s some of our favorites for this winter.

Polaris Lock & Ride Flex Tall Adventure Tunnel Bag

If you never want the ride to stop, you know having enough storage is key to ensure you have the right gear and the right layers for changing conditions and temperatures. This is one of the reasons we love a big, capable bag like the Polaris Adventure Tunnel Bag. Providing plenty of protection, this secure storage bag lets you take what you want with you no matter where the trail leads. Cutting-edge Lock & Ride technology makes installation and removal a breeze, all without the need for tools. Simply push to secure the bag and lift to release, there’s no turning or twisting. Plus, you can mix and match several different Lock & Ride accessories, depending upon tunnel length. You can even retrofit older Polaris models to accept the Flex system.

Polaris Auxiliary Punch Light

Designed to fit the latest MATRYX models, the added “punch” of this LED light will extend your riding time long after the day ends. Designed to maximize your nighttime visibility so you can ride confidently, the bright light casts a pattern in your choice of forward and out to complement the factory headlight. Choose between the Punch Light option which provides better visibility further down the trail, or the Flood Light option for a wider range of vision close to your sled. By the way, this one really gives your Polaris a custom look as well.

Ski-Doo Heated Tank Bag

Hey, it’s cold outside. Of course, as snowmobilers we embrace the cold, but our personal electronics don’t feel the same way about our favorite season. That’s why we are digging the new Heated Tank Bag from Ski-Doo. The easy-to-access 2.4-liter (0.6 US gallon, 122 in cu) snowmobile heated tank bag has a full-length zipper and a map pocket. No need to remove the bag to access the gas cap. The 3W heated tank bag also features an insulated pocket to store batterypowered electronics such as a cell phone or a GPS device. The snowmobile bag comes with an RCA adaptor plug kit and access to a 12V plug-in port.

Yamaha Tunnel Flares

With the tapered tunnel design of today’s modern snowmobile, snow spray and kickback of ice and snow chunks is more common than ever, especially with longer tracked sleds. These simple and stylish tunnel flares mount quickly and keep unwanted snow spray off you and the rear of your sled. They’re especially effective during the spring snow conditions, where heavy, wet snow can quickly accumulate on your sled and the back of your jacket. Includes mounting hardware and fits Mountain Max, Sidewinder and Viper models going back to 2015.

Ski-Doo LINQ Trail Pro Bag

While we don’t like to play favorites, the Ski-Doo LINQ at tachment system has been the industry’s best design for nearly a decade. Not only is the system secure and easy to attach and remove, but there are countless accesso ries available and adapter plates so you can enjoy LINQ on other brands. The new LINQ Trail Pro Bag features the highest level of waterproofing. A watertight zipper (TiZip), map holder, and quick access storage make this bag a top performer. Best of all, it’s expandable from 9 to 30 Liters (2-6 gallons) and can even be stacked atop other LINQ accessories. Fits Gen5 and Gen4 models.

Yamaha Heated Goggle Holder

Every once in a while, we come across an accessory item that works so well, we can’t ride without it. Such is the case with the Heated Goggle Holder designed for SRViper chassis Yamaha snowmobiles like the Viper and Sidewinder models. The easy to install bag that mounts between the steering post and instrument panel has a mesh bottom allowing engine heat to filter through the bag. It’s the perfect size for goggles, extra facemask, or phone. There’s no better feeling than pulling out a warm, dry facemask or fog free goggles on a cold winter’s day. A simple half-turn clasp keeps items secure inside the durable, weather resistant denier nylon case.

Arctic Cat Dash Caddy

Arctic Cat SpeedRack II

When it comes to hauling gear or spare fuel, sometimes the best solution is the simplest one. This second-generation rack from our pals in Thief River Falls blurs the line between new tech and the proven strap-it method. The SpeedRack Gear Rack is equipped with a lightweight aluminum rack that mounts onto a SpeedRack base (not included), supported by the new SpeedRack II System. It has the capacity to fit a 2.5-gallon fuel can, with dimensions approximately 11x10-in. It is compatible with most Arctic Cat models and looks good even empty.

While we’re a firm believer in the more storage the better, location is also a key attribute. Having a place to stash your most requested personal items that’s easy to grab and stow sits high atop our priority list. The Dash Caddy offers exactly this kind of storage for everyday necessities with a sturdy polyethylene construction that fits neatly between the gauge and windshield. The compartment door features a foam seal to keep contents safe and dry. The caddy also comes with mounting instructions. Be sure to check your model specifics for fitment as the Caddy will not fit all windshield designs.

At the end of August, Polaris Snowmobiles initiated a stop ride/ stop sale for Model Year 2021-2023 MATRYX, 2015-2022 AXYS, and select Model Year 2013-2014 Trail Performance (Pro-Ride) snowmobiles.

As of 10/13/22, a media update was given to us (MSPN Inc) from Polaris, stating they have a validated repair available, and consumers affected should contact their Polaris-authorized dealer to schedule a free repair service. Dealers have received the repair instructions, training materials and have the ability to order repair kits. Additionally, Polaris has implemented the fix on MY23 SnowCheck snowmobiles and shipments have resumed.

As with all our stop rides, owners of affected snowmobiles should not ride until the repair has been completed by a Polarisauthorized dealer. As we previously shared, if the snowmobile must be started in order to trailer the sled to a dealer, customers should make sure the fuel tank is full and, if it is not, then they need to add fresh gasoline to fill the tank.

“We deeply appreciate our owners and dealers for their patience as we have focused on finalizing the repair for this stop ride/stop sale. Our team has been working tirelessly on this solution so our owners can have confidence in their sleds, get on the snow and enjoy the best season of the year.”

– Jenny Nack, VP and GM, Polaris Snowmobiles

Arctic Cat has historically been known for drawing a crowd during one of their product reveals at Hay Days, but the 2022 unveil set new crowd records as the masses gathered to see the all-new CATALYST platform. At the heart of the new CATALYST platform, the rider is the deciding factor in how it corners, cuts and handles, so you feel at one with the snowmobile. Here are seven highlights of the all-new platform. Visit Arctic Cat’s website for more info and details on how to be the first to ride one!

Centralized Design for More Responsive Handling

The centralized design makes the operator the active force and requires less rider effort to corner and carve, giving riders more control than ever before. The laydown engine design allows for mass centralization.

Durable and Easy to Service

The new drive system is belt-driven, unlike the current chain drive, resulting in fewer parts and allowing more power to the track with increased durability. The body work panels’ toolless design allows for easy removal and greater access to key components such as the belt, oil reservoir and coolant. The new seat is easily removable with a quarter turn for easy battery access.

Lightweight for Maximum Maneuverability

Improved Ergonomics for a More Comfortable Ride

The ergonomics, coupled with a narrower and centralized design, provides an agile, easily maneuverable sled minimizing rider fatigue and makes the operator a more confident rider. A more ergonomic design allows the rider to become one with the sled.

All-New High-End Styling

The platform’s aggressive exterior continues Arctic Cat’s heritage of creating state-of-the-art, cutting-edge snowmobiles. Its sleek, aerodynamic, and agile look with a signature LED headlight complements the innovation found inside. Sliding lap joints provide seamless transitions in bodywork for better fit and finish.

Optimized Suspension and Steering for Different Riding Styles and Segments

Optimized suspension and steering provide usespecific systems based on segment. The suspension and steering systems are differentiated based on mountain, trail and crossover segments where needed to provide better performance in varying conditions, but commonality was kept where it made sense, so the platform works for all segments. The geometry changes, paired with the new suspension, give the rider a more position-reactive sled and improved cornering for a more confidence-inspiring, agile ride experience. The sled works in tandem with the rider instead of the rider muscling the sled.

First Integrated Accessory Mounting System for Added Security

ATACH is the first integrated accessory mounting system for Arctic Cat allowing for quick and easy lockdown. To prevent theft, the system comes with a set of keys allowing you to physically lock your accessories to your snowmobile.

FRESH dirt

HUNT MORE AND HAVE MORE FUN WITH A LANDMASTER UTV

Make this the best hunting season ever with a Landmaster UTV. More than just an off-road vehicle, a side-by-side makes the hunting experience for you and others in your hunting party more enjoyable. With a Landmaster UTV you can more easily access remote areas, haul more gear, bring more friends, and most importantly have more fun outdoors.

No matter your hunting passion, one of the biggest benefits of hunting with a UTV is gaining access to more hunting locations. With Landmaster’s On-Demand 4-Wheel Drive and Ride Optimized Suspension System (L-ROSS), you can safely and comfortably travel over rough terrain, and crawl up, over, or through challenging situations. Even fully loaded with hunting gear and friends, our vehicles can travel over the most rugged terrain, allowing you to hunt areas where others can’t.

Speaking of gear, a Landmaster UTV is the best way to bring everything you need into the field in one smooth, comfortable, trouble-free trip. Most Landmaster UTVs have up to a 1,000lb bed capacity and a towing capacity of 1,750lbs, giving you the capability to bring dog kennels, decoys, duck blinds, guns, additional gear, and even a boat to the most remote locations. Plus, when you choose an L7x, L7XL-PRO, or the new EVx, you can also bring along five of your best friends.

Waterfowl hunters will find hunting with a side-by-side especially useful. Often, we’re either forced to choose what gear to bring and what to leave behind, or we have to make several trips from the truck or camp to the hunting area. With a UTV, you’ll have the space to bring along your favorite decoys, and the “nice-tohave” ones as well. Plus, being able to bring everything in one trip saves you time, so go ahead and hit that snooze button once more before heading out.

Of course, hunting often means mud, water, and hopefully some game. As hunters, we all know that feeling of trudging through

water or muddy stubble fields in the dark. With a UTV in your hunting arsenal, you can now drive right to those locations instead. With plenty of power, a locking rear-differential, and up to 11” of ground clearance, a Landmaster UTV can take you and gear through the nasty stuff. Once you’ve arrived, you can flip-on the standard LED headlights, or accessory LED light bar, and illuminate the entire area while you set-up decoys and blinds. You can also beat back the cold and inclement weather with an accessory windshield or full cab enclosure.

More than just capable, Landmaster UTVs are built to handle the kind of nasty, wet, and rough terrain upland and waterfowl hunters often encounter. With standard features like fullysealed half shaft boots and tie rod ends to weather sealed wiring connections, a Landmaster UTV can tackle wet, muddy conditions and be ready for more, year after year.

One of the best parts about using an UTV for hunting is how you can easily customize your vehicle for your individual hunting needs. For 2022, Landmaster has combined some of the most popular accessories into a factory installed hunting package. Dubbed the “Untamed” the package helps to create the ultimate hunting UTV with additional protection, storage, gun rack, LED light bar, and more. Plus, you get to choose between Forest Green or Desert Tan camo patterns.

Make this the year you bring along your newest hunting partner — a Landmaster UTV. You’ll access more places more easily, haul more gear along with your best hunting friends, and ultimately have more fun pursuing your passion.

Increase your hunting chances by going more places more easily when you add a side-by-side to your hunt.

FRESH dirt

ARGO KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES — NEW ATLAS EV AMPHIBIOUS XTV LAUNCHED

ARGOXTV.COM

ARGO, manufacturer of ATVs, SxSs, UTVs and the worldwide leader for amphibious Xtreme Terrain Vehicles (XTVs), released the 100 percent electric Atlas EV amphibious XTV at Hay Days, and we were there to test it.

If you are a club needing a go-anywhere vehicle to navigate swamps and pack trails without the fear of getting stuck, you may want to look at a fully amphibious ARGO XTV or the truly unstoppable CENTAUR XT as an investment to get those tough tasks done quicker, easier and safer.

The Atlas EV might be one of ARGO’s most powerful, easy to operate, maneuverable XTVs produced to date. Touting a 28kWh battery pack, power is delivered to a single electric drive motor as well as an independent steering motor. The ARGO Admiral E-steer™ transmission incorporates steer by wire technology for quiet, seamless and progressive maneuvers.

Most don’t realize ARGO has been a key player in the electric unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) and autonomous driving markets, and the Atlas EV demonstrates the vast knowledge and understanding ARGO has accrued in electrification and drive technology for over a decade.

The Atlas EV introduces ergonomic updates with an adjustable split front seat and contoured seating. The sleek cosmetic refinements to the headlights and internally recessed winch retain all the function while making this Sky Silver Metallic 8x8 one eye-catching, very capable machine.

The Atlas EV also comes standard with a comprehensive 12-inch touch screen display equipped with vehicle location technology, intelligent terrain mapping and on demand vehicle health reporting.

RIDE RIGHT AND RIDE SAFE

Make it home to your family and friends

Jessica Holley-Roehrs - Motorized Trails Specialist –Michigan DNR, holleyj1@michigan.gov

One of the great things about snowmobile and ORV recreation is being outdoors, often to explore remote areas, away from populated areas, AND away from services. Many of us love to take our machines deep in the backcountry to escape our day-to-day routines. Of course, this sort of recreation requires responsibility.

We should wear appropriate safety gear, recreate responsibly, travel with others and plan ahead. But, despite our best efforts, incidents can happen. Even incidents unrelated to the snowmobile or ORV recreation itself are possible – heart attacks, strokes, forest fires, animal run-ins and any number of other maladies can, and do, happen. As a result, it is imperative to be prepared whenever we go riding.

While there are lots of important steps to take to ensure your safe return home to family and friends, from a day (or more) on the trails, NOHVCC Partner, Steve Newton, has provided one very easy idea to make sure your loved ones can be reached in the event of any incident.

“One of our members on our last ride mentioned if something happened during the ride, he would not know who to call for an emergency. So, I came up with a form and have asked our club members to fill it out and keep a copy in their unit.”

The form includes simple information like name, address, emergency contact information, insurance information, etc. You could simply fill out the form, print and laminate it and keep it in your ORV or snowmobile. Then any riding partners, good Samaritans or emergency personnel would know who to reach out to in the event of an emergency.

Steve even took it one step further saying, “Patricia (Steve’s wife) and I have also started wearing “Dog Tags” with our information on them. We are on the road so much, if something happens, then the police would have our contact information.”

For anyone riding alone, these simple items could help first responders get the support you need more quickly.

As we all increasingly rely on cell phones and other electronic devices to navigate our lives, we can often overlook simple ways to be prepared. Steve and his club have come up with an easy way to ensure that our loved ones can be notified of emergencies – let’s all consider following their lead!

Another important tip along this line of thinking comes from the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association (ISMA, snowmobile.org):

FILE A PLAN

Airplane pilots and boaters file flight and float plans, respectively, so others know where to look if they’re overdue.

“Snow plans or ORV plans” describing your machine and your planned route can be time- and life-savers. Leave only with your family or friends.

Like those who file travel plans, always let your family and friends know you’re back or have arrived at your destination. No one likes needless searches.

As fall turns to winter, keep in mind the importance of the transition months where some of Michigan’s designated ORV trails now become snowmobile trails. Watch for trail maintenance activities, and soon enough – watch for the snow groomers. Both our ORV and snow trail volunteers do their best to keep the trails safe and enjoyable all year around. Let’s all respect and show appreciation for their work – whatever month it is!

I hope to meet you someday, with an emergency communication plan in hand, At the Trailhead.

NOHVCC SAFETY ETHICS

Wearing all appropriate safety gear on ALL rides, including a DOT compliant helmet, protective eyewear, and weather appropriate clothing including long sleeves, long pants, over-the-ankle boots, and gloves.

—Staying on trails, routes and areas designated for ORV/ snowmobile use.

—Never operating an ORV or snowmobile under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

—Avoiding on-highway use of vehicles designed solely for offhighway use.

PRESS RELEASECAMP GRAYLING EXPANSION

JOHN NEWMAN - MISORVA PRESIDENT

MISORVA’s support of motorized recreation and its stakeholders in the State of Michigan requires us to investigate proposed actions by both state and federal governments where our community may be negatively or positively affected.

While we wholeheartedly support all facets of our military, at this time due to the lack of specific information being provided by either party MISORVA opposes the Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center expansion into public recreational land.

The DNR is reviewing a proposal for the expansion of DNRleased lands available for low-impact Camp Grayling military training activities. The proposal for approximately 162,000 more acres of land around the camp, headquartered west of the city of Grayling in Northern Lower Michigan, is part of a desired update to accommodate evolving training methods. Under this new agreement, military personnel would be required to use the current existing trails, county roads, and open fields.

Military activity has been ongoing in the Grayling region for over 100 years. Camp Grayling is used by a cross-section of the U.S. military, including active-duty and National Guard forces; the 147,000-acre facility has served the military for training well.

In January 2022 Major Paul Barnes requested a proposal for a meeting with DNR Director Eichinger to expand Camp Grayling. This 162,000-acre expansion would make the camp the largest training facility in our nation. We as citizens and recreation enthusiasts of all types applaud our military forces and their training needs however, we question the expansion that will compromise the recreation that fills and retains the delicate economy of our state.

Safety for residents while ensuring the military can train soldiers and airmen is paramount, the existing area that has been in service for over 100 years and the local citizens and tourists visiting the area have mostly peacefully coexisted to date, residents are accustomed to the current level of training despite disruptions every now and then. Area residents are even tolerant of the sounds of aircraft and live fire that sometimes (literally) shake the foundations of their homes. Some local residences and get away cottages are just 500 feet from the range boundary, 2,800 feet from established artillery firing points and approximately one mile from the impact area. That is too close for sound to dissipate to a reasonable level for a residential area and therefore causes disruption to the tranquility.

CAMP GRAYLING MISSION, VISION, AND INFO

MISSION

Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center provides joint, all-domain training facilities with user-focused support, which enable rotational training units, interagency, unified action, and multi-national partners to meet modernization priorities, build and sustain readiness in order to overmatch and dominate our nation’s enemies.

VISION

Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center evolves within the National A/I-Domain Warfighting Center (NADWC) concept to challenge soldiers, leaders, and multi-echelons in the most realistic near-peer battlefield environment.

INFO

The Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center at Grayling, Ml is the largest National Guard training facility in the United States. It comprises 147,000 acres of fourseasons training lands, 337 square-km of restricted airspace, and up to 6000 Hz spectrum available. Camp Grayling supports the summer and winter Northern Strike joint exercises, and National Guard Exportable Combat Training Center Exercises. Camp Grayling provides premier facilities including a Combined Arms Collective Training Facility, two impact areas for indirect fire and aerial weapon systems up to 500-pounds, and three live-fire shoot houses. Specialized facilities include the Maneuver Area Training Equipment Site for pooled equipment, Multipurpose Range Complex capable of armor/crew served weapons and Combined Live Fire Exercise, and an Army Airfield with two 5,000-foot runways.

Camp Grayling, already the largest National Guard training center in the country, is a 147,000-acre training site, spanning portions of Kalkaska, Crawford, and Otsego counties. The central cantonment area is located in Crawford County, southwest of Grayling Township, and the rest of the property is largely used as maneuver area and range land.

Camp Grayling has a state-of-the-art Urban Operations training site, used to train soldiers to handle combat in urban environments. It features a mock village, including subterranean tunnels, to simulate wartime settings. The Michigan Army National Guard (MIARNG) mixes live training at the installation with virtual capabilities using state-of the-art simulation software.

Nonmilitary groups and agencies also use the ranges and other facilities, including Michigan state police, county sheriff departments, local clubs, and scout troops. The training area is also used by international partners such as Canada, Great Britain, Australia, Latvia and Liberia (part of the National Guard’s State Partnership Program that matches states with international security partners). Much of the land on and around Camp Grayling is managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) and leased to the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (MDMVA). The surrounding communities and townships are small, and the area is mostly rural and wooded, with abundant recreational uses.

While on the surface this appears to be much like the agreement currently in place, many more miles of trails will be affected. This new proposal also includes allowing private sector contractors to use the land as a test bed for new technologies. The Michigan National Guard (MING) has yet to explain why the current 230 square miles of training area are inadequate to support current future needs, or whether this is a national security necessity. They have also not explained why the use of these public lands by private companies would be let at such a discount.

According to the Traverse City Record Eagle in an article dated August 29, 2021, in 2017 National Guard and state officials found contamination from a class of thousands of manmade “forever chemicals” called PFAS at four places across Crawford County: the main camp by the lake, the airfield in town, an equipment site, and most recently, the irrigation fields for the city’s wastewaer treatment facility.

Efforts remain ongoing to study and map the community’s ground and water contamination through the Superfund program; eventually authorities are expected to decide how to clean up the widespread pollution. Investigations at the airfield are further along than at the main base by the lake. Military funding so far paid for whole-house water filtration systems in 18 homes discovered with drinking water tainted by PFAS chemicals associated with activity at Camp Grayling’s sprawling complexes. Results of tests at those homes showed water wells surpassed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 70 ppt lifetime

advisory level — the threshold for the federal Department of Defense to pay for clean water access because of pollution it caused.

A question posed to the DNRI use a side-by-side in many areas of west Crawford County/east Kalkaska County. Will I be able to do this during the summer?

Answer - The ORV status of these roads will not change if the expansion is approved. Roads currently open to ORVs will remain open and roads currently closed to ORVs will remain closed. If any forest roads are closed for a brief period of time to accommodate specific exercises, area residents and others will be notified by the military through social media and posting at access points.

MISORVA (Michigan Snowmobile and Off Road Vehicle Association) is a non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to the success of MOTORIZED RECREATION in Michigan. Protecting and Preserving Your Privilege to Ride. Representing Your Rights. Promoting Your Rights. Keeping You Informed. Promoting Safe and Responsible Use. Maintaining and Enhancing Trails. Sponsoring Fun-Filled Family Activities. To further your voice in Lansing, MISORVA has a full-time legislative consultant and a full-time office staff, all working on snowmobile and ORV related issues — locally, statewide and in Washington, D.C.

MISORVA Board of Directors and Regions Map

District 1

Ernie Reimann 906/367-1566

• erniereimann@gmail.com

Joe Chavis 906/265-7185 • upchavis@hotmail.com

Dave Karls 906/661-1200 • linda.karls7722@gmail.com

District 2

Don Britton 906/249-9594 • brittonjd@charter.net

Keith Churill 906/202-3568 • chur1171@charter.net

Rob La Londe 906/280-2218 • rlalonde@charter.net

Sean O’Neill 847-602-0456 • oneillsean@gmail.com

Keith Lynch 906/280-2193 •upsesky@yahoo.com

Chad Leiter chad.leiter@gmail.com

Donna Cody 906/450-9295 snowmobiledonna@gmail.com

District 3

David Satchell 989-743-5612 • catsatch@gmail.com

Roy Hart 989/370-3779 • roylhart@yahoo.com

Rich Rottier 616/550-8201 • richrottier@yahoo.com

John Griffin 906-484-6032 johngriffinrealestate@yahoo.com

Grant Dewitt 906/876-2388 • grantinhulbert@yahoo.com

District 4

Ken McCrum 989-657-4168 • kmccrum@charter.net

John Houk 989-734-7359 • rjhouk@frontier.com

Archie Cole 231-631-8865 brickheadcole3@outlook.com

Ron Schroeder 810/210-0686 • sleddog654@gmail.com

Kaye Houk 989-734-7359 • kjh64@frontier.com

Alan Kava 231-497-9260 • amkava@aol.com

Andrea Eder 989-350-0208 lovemydaisy1019@yahoo.com

District 5

Dave Gentry 989/450-1375 • morki74@hotmail.com

Gary Blazer 989-469-2541 • oharele@aol.com

District 6

Ted Truckey 269-506-1568 • truckeyfamily@gmail.com

Dave Titus 269/845-2401 • dave7649@aol.com

Paul Anderson 586-215-6849 •paul@sledsolutions.com

Pete Finch 231 884 9601 pete@coyotecrossingresort.com

District 7

Todd Maschke 989/551-3913 • tmask2013@hotmail.com

Lyle Curry 586-747-8509 • lylecurry23@yahoo.com

Brian E Hicks 989-871-4767 • bdhicks@tds.net

Emerson Corder 989/329-3981 • emersonscorder@gmail.com

Nick Ferrante 248/756-0695 • npferrante@gmail.com

Dan White 313/520-3828 • drdirt800@msn.com

District 8

Steve Veltman 231 861 2442 • veltmanhardware@aol.com

Dave

Nuechterlien 989-284-9305 • stoc895@gmail.com

Jim Berens 616/328-2521 • fsr401@sbcglobal.net

Randy Belliel 586/764-0973 • rjbelliel@comcast.net

Brad Beardsley 231/519-3723• sandmanbb1@yahoo.com

Cheryl Ziola 989/280-5453 • carlcheryl@hotmail.com

Mike Keith 231/750-4986 • xcrkeith@gmail.com

District 9

Lee Palmer 574-286-7457 • palmlee@yahoo.com

Jeff Mariucci 517-231-1624 • jeffmariucci@gmail.com

David Low 616-550-2707 • ddlow@att.net

Joshua Driscoll 616/218-5759 • jserepair@gmail.com

EXTREME

INDIAN

K

NORTHERN PWR SPRTS OF MIO INC 30 E KNEELAND ROAD MIO, MI

PAT’S

LAKESIDE MOTOR SPORTS, INC. 10964 90TH AVE MECOSTA, MI

LAKESIDEMOTORSPORTS.NET

M & M POWERSPORTS INC. 90 NAVY ST HANCOCK, MI MMPOWERSPORTS.COM

MEYER YAMAHA, L.L.C. 1355 US HIGHWAY 41 WEST ISHPEMING, MI MEYERYAMAHA.COM

NELSON’S SPEED SHOP 4566 S GREENVILLE RD GREENVILLE, MI NELSONSSPEEDSHOP.COM

PEACOCK

PLATINUM

PLATINUM