New Zealand Snow Machine User Group convener Phil Wiel, of Queenstown, offered the hearing panel five measures to continue shared access to the back-country. Mr Wiel submitted the group would self-register snowmobile users on conservation land and stick to its code of conduct.
Education, training and monitoring of users and machines, help with search-and-rescue operations, conservation partnerships by adoption and maintenance of chosen conservation assets were offered.
While snowmobiling as a recreational activity has been popular in the region for 20 years, it was new to the Department of Conservation (Doc) and there was a ''dearth of knowledge'' about the activity, hearing panellist and Doc Wakatipu district manager Greg Lind said.
Asked where he saw snowmobiles being used, Mr Wiel said sites included Old Man/Kopuwai and Old Woman Ranges, Clutha Valley, Garvie Lakes Scenic Reserve and Robrosa Station, Cardrona Valley.
''If vegetation is poking through, it's too thin [for snowmobiles to drive on],'' he said.
''Users don't want to drive on rocks, because it damages the machines.''
Mr Wiel said users sought the same ''pure virgin snow'' as skiers and most skiers were content to share the back-country with users.
''We are limited to where we can go, so we'd like to work with the department,'' he said.
However, Backcountry Skiers Alliance secretary John Robinson, of Alexandra, told the four-person panel ''over-snow'' driving was an adrenaline sport, whereas back-country skiing was a solitude-seeking experience.
Snow vehicles included snowmobiles, snowcats, ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) and quad bikes. Vehicles travelled further than skiers, their engine noise travelled a long way over snow, combustion fumes were emitted in an otherwise pure environment and ''unnatural'' tracks lasted for weeks, he said.
The alliance recommended seasonal zoning for Old Man/Old Woman and Garvie and supported the exclusion of over-snow vehicles everywhere, except designated areas, enforced by bylaws.
The Fraser basin was in special need of protection, the alliance submitted.
''We are in sympathy with the environment and we feel it's not the same with a gasoline-powered vehicle,'' Mr Robinson said.
Submissions heard this week will be summarised for the draft strategy which goes to the conservation board in March next year.
The Otago board gives its feedback to the overarching conservation authority for approval in December 2014.
The finalised strategy is intended to guide the department's management of conservation land, wildlife, cultural heritage and recreation in Otago for the next 10 years.
