press conference

For Immediate Release
December 28, 2004

Media Alert

For More Information, Contact Mark Latti, 287-6008 or Bob Meyers, 622-6983

What: Press Conference with Maine Warden Service Colonel Tom
Santaguida and Bob Meyers of the Maine Snowmobile Association

When: 11:00 a.m., December 30, 2004

Where: Maine Snowmobile Association Headquarters
7 Noyes Place
Augusta, ME 04332
(207) 622 - 6983

Directions: Route 95, Exit 109 (Western Ave.) Head towards city. At
rotary, continue on Route 17 and 201 and cross the Kennebec River on the Memorial Bridge. At Cony Circle Rotary, travel ¾ around rotary, and exit onto Bridge Street. Immediately after exiting onto Bridge Street, you will see Noyes Place, right next to Allard's Karate. The Maine Snowmobile Association is located at 7 Noyes Place.

Focus: Maine's Snowmobile Season is poised start, as New Year's Weekend kicks off the snowmobile season throughout much of the state. Last year in Maine, there were just over 200 snowmobile accidents in the state, and seven of those were fatal. The Maine Warden Service and the Maine Snowmobile Association are working together to ensure Maine's trails are among the safest in the nation.

Maine Warden Service Colonel Tom Santaguida will discuss how the Maine Warden Service increases patrol activity during peak times in order to get snowmobilers ride safer on Maine's trails.

Bob Meyers of the Maine Snowmobile Association will discuss his association's efforts to promote safe riding, and how local snowmobile clubs work with the Maine Warden Service to make
Maine's trails safer. Bob will also discuss IFW's and MSA's Interactive
Snowmobile CD.

Colonel Santaguida will also discuss how this agency charges reckless snowmobile operators. Snowmobile operators whose reckless operation results in the death of another person can be
prosecuted by the attorney general and held liable for their actions.
Reckless operation that creates the risk of bodily injury of another
can be prosecuted by the office of the district attorney.

Please join us in getting the word out to Make Safety A Priority on Maine's Snowmobile Trails this winter.
-30-

-Mark

Mark Latti
Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
mark.latti@maine.gov
207-287-6008
fax 207-287-6395
284 State Street
41 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333