Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush got his hands, or at least his boots, a little dirty on Saturday during the Snirt Run on Tug Hill. (Snow + dirt = Snirt). The annual event, held in early April as a kickoff to the ATV season, draws thousands of people from all over the Northeast to Tug Hill. Participants get a chance to enjoy the numerous and extensive trails, meet other riders, get one last chance to enjoy the winter’s waning snow, get some mud on their tires, and win prizes.

“I was very impressed with the participation and enthusiasm at the Snirt Run. The organizers of the event also did a great job in getting the trails ready and ensuring the safety of all the riders,” said Assemblyman Blankenbush. “From ATVing and snowmobiling, to fishing and hunting, the opportunities to enjoy the outdoors here on the Tug Hill are limitless.”

The assemblyman also noted that ATVs are used by 1.9 million New Yorkers each year and are economically vital to the North Country, with riders from all over the country eating in local restaurants, shopping in stores and staying in hotels.

The assemblyman is sponsoring legislation that would allow more owners of recreational vehicles to take advantage of the local trail systems. The bill, A6250 (also S3318, sponsored by Senator Patty Ritchie), redefines the definition of an ATV to include side-by-side utility vehicles up to 1,500 pounds. New York state has lagged behind other states in redefining ATVs to include UTVs, and as a result, the state has lost out on hundreds of thousands of dollars in registration and sales tax revenue, as well as tourism dollars.