City residents will have a chance at an open house on Wednesday to provide comments on the 34-page report produced by the snowmobile task force.

Bylaw manager Dave Pruden explained this morning the feedback will be combined with the findings of the task force and a previous public survey to help develop a new bylaw for city council's consideration.

Residents also have the opportunity to provide written submissions on the state of snowmobiling in the city up until May 5, Pruden explained during a news conference held to release the recommendations of the task force.

Pruden agreed some recommendations are general in nature and will need refining as the city administration and council move toward the completion of a revised bylaw in time for next winter.

Appropriate signage detailing trail use has been recommended but exactly what that would entail is a matter for further consideration, he explained.

Pruden said one thing is clear, and that is the city doesn't want to smother the network of wilderness trails with new signs.

Providing sufficient enforcement has also been identified as a priority by the task force but whether that means increasing existing efforts is a matter ultimately up to council, he said.

Associated costs, Pruden explained, are always a factor for consideration.

"The task force identified priorities as it related to each of their groups and we want to take a look at these priorities and come out with recommendations for council as we move forward with the snowmobile bylaw,” he said.

Pruden said after compiling and reviewing input, development of the bylaw is expected to run through June, July and August, in time for council to have it in place for next winter.

As is standard practice for all bylaws, he said, there will be opportunities for the public to review what is proposed.

Pruden pointed out the existing bylaw dates back to 1972, and was last amended in 1990.

A similar effort will begin next fall to replace the ATV bylaw, which also dates back to 1990, he said.

Wednesday's open house will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Westmark Whitehorse Hotel.

The snowmobile task force was created in January. Its membership includes the Yukon Conservation Society, the Ta'an Kwach'an Council, the Kwanlin Dun First Nation, Listers Motor Sports, the bylaw department, the Klondike Snowmobile Association, the RCMP, the community associations of

Riverdale and Porter Creek and the Yukon government.

Pruden said the recommendations from the task force are grouped into four categories: maps; legislation and bylaws; education; and economic impact.

Under education, for instance, the task force report indicates a need to emphasize education in the areas of mandatory requirements for helmets, the impact on land, access restrictions in the city and speed limits.

There is a need to identify, plan and develop trails connecting subdivisions with routes to the hinterland, the task force indicated, noting the need for a bridge or others means of crossing the Yukon River from Riverdale was most often mentioned.

The task force suggested when developing a new bylaw there is a need to keep in mind the economic impact generated by snowmobilers, from fuel sales to the purchase of new sleds, to the potential for increased winter tourism.

Pruden said whatever the new bylaw looks like, it will in all likelihood be accompanied by a significant education component, rather than a big stick.

Currently, for instance, the bylaw officer responsible for patrolling the city trails for about a third of his time has handed out five to seven tickets this winter for the more serious offences, or to repeat offenders, he explained.

Pruden said that doesn't mean he hasn't talked to more snowmobilers to educate them about less serious infractions being committed.