Snowmobiles may be coming back to some public highways in Bemus Point.

Assemblyman Andrew Goodell, R-Jamestown, has introduced home rule legislation (A.8575) in the state Assembly to amend the state Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Law, with approval from the state transportation commissioner, to designate a portion of state Route 954-H a snowmobile trail.

The area had been used for years as part of a snowmobile trail maintained by the Ellery Sno-Goers, but the use of the road was prohibited by the state Transportation Department when it realized the state Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Law generally prohibits the use of a limited access state highway right of way except during emergencies. Goodell wants to add an exception to the state Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Law allowing snowmobiles in the area.

The area is not on the road or shoulder of the entrance ramp to Route 945-H but several feet to the west.

“The snowmobile trail then ran to the Bemus Point Golf Course and provided snowmobile access during the winter to all the restaurants and related businesses in the village of Bemus Point,” Goodell wrote in his legislative justification. “There has never been any safety or other issue with the use of this portion of the snowmobile trail.”

With access to a popular trail now prohibited, Julie King with the Ellery club went before the Bemus Point Village Board in November to request use of a trail previously used by snowmobilers that runs from Center Street in the village and through private properties.

King returned to the Village Board in December with letters signed from three homeowners whose lots the trail would run through. The property owners gave their permission for snowmobile use.

Bemus Point Mayor Jeff Molnar said Village Board members are expected to take up action at their next meeting to allow snowmobilers temporary use of the village while state lawmakers take up Goodell’s legislation.

If the legislation is passed by the state Legislature, Molnar said the village would then revert to the current local law for snowmobile use in Bemus Point.