The generosity of property owners is what keeps snowmobiling alive in Moultonboro, as well as the rest of NH. Snowmobilers are an important part of the local winter economy. Over 180 properties with over 150 property owners have given the club permission for snowmobile traffic to pass across their land during the winter season. The club and its members are thankful to everyone that helps make this possible. This page is dedicated to maintaining good relations with property owners and includes information about permission forms, liability laws and liability insurance provided by the state and the NH Snowmobile Association. If there are any property issues, please contact us at info@moultonborosmc.org
Location:
The town government of Moultonboro includes a snowmobile trail layer on its public GIS system. Selecting the snowmobile trail layer and zooming in so that property lines are seen, users can see which properties the trails cross and get information about who owns each property. Access to the town GIS system is at www.axisgis.com/moultonboroughNH/
Fall Trail Prep: During the fall, club members check all the trails for brush or downed limbs and trees. We trim the trails so that it is safe for snowmobiles and groomers to pass. In October and November, signs and ropes are placed. If you have any special requests, let us know. Also, if you’d like to put up the ropes and signs yourself, we’ll provide you with the materials. In the spring, after the ground is thawed, we will remove the ropes and signs that are visible from the road. If adjustments to the trail are needed, please inform the club as soon as possible, so that the projects can be scheduled.
Permission Forms:
The state requires snowmobile clubs to have verbal or written permission from each property owner that its trails cross. Each year, the club submits a list of properties that its trails cross, and the property owners name. This ensures that the NH Bureau of Trails liability insurance policy covers every land-owner. When a property changes hands, we ask that the new owner download a permission form and send it to us, so that we can keep our records current. Unless otherwise specified, permissions are good until withdrawn. The permission form is online here or a permission form can be printed out at: Permission for Snowmobile Access 2023
Liability:
NHSA SnoTraveler 12/22 Article on Landowner Liability
Because snowmobiling is an important part of the winter economy, the New Hampshire state government supports the sport with several laws that shield property owners from liability. The laws are time tested and protect land-owners from lawsuits. There is a three prong approach that makes the liability protection strong. First, the laws state the property owner is not liable. Second, if someone files a lawsuit anyway and loses, that party is responsible for paying all reasonable legal costs. Third, the NH Bureau of Trails pays for a $2 million dollar insurance policy that protects against injury, property loss and liability, should a case go to court and win (very rare). For more information, please review the Landowner Partnership Brochure on the NH State Parks web site, found here
Links to the NH State Liability Laws (opens in new tab)
RSA 508:14 Limitations of Actions
RSA 212:34 Liability of Landowners
Bubblers
Effective July 14, 2019, dock bubblers may no longer impact properties, other than the owner of the bubbler. If your property provides lake access to snowmobilers and a neighbor’s bubbler is making the ice too thin for safe access, this law is for you. In addition, each bubbler (Aqua-Therm) must be registered with the town clerk, and the 50 cent fee paid. RSA 270:34. Registration forms for aqua-therms can be found here.
TITLE XXII NAVIGATION; HARBORS; COAST SURVEY
CHAPTER 270 SUPERVISION OF NAVIGATION; REGISTRATION OF BOATS AND MOTORS; COMMON CARRIERS BY WATER
Use of Aqua-Therm – Section 270:33
270:33 Heating, Agitating, or Other Devices in Public Waters; Safety Hazard. – No person shall put, place, operate, or cause to be put, placed, or operated in the waters of this state any so-called heating, agitating, or other device which inhibits or prevents the natural freezing of water, or forming of ice, and thereby impedes either the ingress or egress to or from the ice from any property other than that of the owner of the device. The person or persons responsible for the placement of the device shall ensure that warning signs are posted to warn of its location. Said signs shall read DANGER, THIN ICE and shall be of sufficient size to be readable at a distance of not less than 150 feet, and shall be visible from all directions and shall be equipped with reflectors and color-coded in a pattern unique for this purpose only. The department of safety is hereby authorized to establish said unique design and coloring and any homemade copies shall follow this design and coloring. The provisions of this section shall be enforced by any law enforcement agency under the direction of the department of safety pursuant to RSA 106-A:14 and the department of fish and game pursuant to RSA 206:26.
Source. 1973, 321:1, eff. Nov. 1, 1973. 2019, 37:1, eff. July 14, 2019.
Impact Studies
Many studies have been done about the impact of snowmobile traffic on land, plants and animals. A list of research can be found here. The club is always available to work with land-owners to minimize the impact.