The Conservation Commission approved a snocross practice track that could bring in more racers, like those above at last year's event.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Conservation Commission on Tuesday approved the development of a snocross practice track on land on Curran Highway.

David Bond, who owns the property and The Range at the site, hosted last year's East Coast Snocross event and received approval last month to bring the racers back in February. The practice track could be a catalyst to make the city a center for snocross events, he said.

"It can attract a lot of the teams to come to North Adams and practice," he said. "When we saw 1,000 people come out last winter, we know this would have a good effect."

The operation would run on weekends from November into February if the weather cooperates. There is currently a practice track in Minnesota but nothing on the East Coast.

The track fell under the commission's purview because of its proximity to the river and wetlands and the need to pump water out of the river to make snow. The commissioners asked for a better scale drawing of the size of the track and how close it would be to those areas.

"It is in the floodplain ...  but I don't think we're changing the characteristics of the floodplain," said Chairman Jason Moran. "Snow isn't a fill, but to Gary [Palumbo]'s point, it comes down to the size in the riverfront area."

He encouraged Bond to "only encroach when you have to" and to shift the pit as far from the river as possible.

Bond said the track would be about the same size as last year but oriented east/west rather than north/south, which should alleviate some concerns. He also thought it possible bleachers might be installed for spectators.

In response to questions, he said he wasn't sure if or how it would be opened up to residents. He anticipated professionals as being the primary users of the site.

"When it's open, there'll definitely be folks on site," he said. "Professionals will be on the track, a groomer, there will be registration, and liability in place for the entire season. It will be run officially as an East Coast Snocross practice track."

The commissioners expressed some concern over fueling, particularly near the river area. They acknowledged professionals would have more experience in environmentally safe fueling but wanted to be assured both professionals and possible amateurs would be monitored.  

"I know the pit area is going to be better monitored with regulation on what you can do and where you can do it," said Bond. Fuel would be brought in by the racers and protocols would be in place.

"My family has owned that land for 160 years," Bond said. "I have to take care of it like it was taken care of before me."

The commission approved the use from November 2014 to March 2015 with the conditions the pit area be stacked as closely to the west side as possible and start filling it farthest from the river, that it be supervised and participants educated about the river, that there be no fueling of any vehicle within 200 feet of the riparian zone, and the commission receive a monthly update on the operations.

Bond agreed and noted that should the weather not be cold enough in November, it was unlikely the track would be created.

He was optimistic that the practice track would make an impact on the area, calculating that some $300,000 was spent at last year's snocross races.

Clarksburg resident Kurt Gagne is the new owner of East Coast Snocross and, according to Bond, "has the largest snocross team in the country."

"I didn't understand the passion people had for this sport," he said. "Hopefully, we can become the epicenter of snocross racing."

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