California State Parks’ Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division today announced $33.5 million in grants to further provide environmentally friendly and safe off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation opportunities for Californians.
One hundred local and federal agencies, districts, and nonprofit organizations were awarded funding for 146 projects that help maintain OHV trails and/or for motorized access to non-motorized recreation, educate the public on responsible recreation, protect wildlife and property including natural and cultural resources, and restore/repair habitat damaged from illegal or legal OHV use.
“California State Parks is excited to provide these grants to the local and federal agencies and non-profits that are forging pathways for responsible recreation, environmental stewardship conservation, and the vibrant spirit of exploration that connects the public to its cherished lands,” said OHMVR Division Deputy Director Sarah Miggins.
Some examples of this year’s grant recipients and their projects include:
• Bureau of Land Management will receive $6.6 million for 28 projects, such as a planning project that will upgrade OHV recreation opportunities within the Eagle Lake Field Office.
• Local agencies will receive a total of $8.2 million to fund 63 projects, such as a new OHV park development project by the city of Porterville.
• Nonprofits will receive a total of $7.8 million to fund 20 projects, such as a grant that will allow the Kingsburg 4 Wheel Drive Club to complete road and trail maintenance work to ensure that legal OHV trails and forest roads are kept open for public OHV use.
• National Park Service will receive $920,000 for a suite of restoration projects in Joshua Tree National Park that will help prevent illegal OHV activities and restore lands impacted by such activities within the park.
• U.S. Forest Service will receive $9.8 million for 34 projects, including an OHV education and safety project in the Tahoe National Forest.
The division evaluated more than $41 million in grant funding requests and awarded more than $33.5 million to the successful grant recipients.
The 146 projects awarded by project type include:
• Development: $1,463,533 (4 projects)
• Ground Operations: $13,657,558 (31 projects)
• Planning: $378,909 (2 projects)
• Restoration: $10,331,349 (18 projects)
• Education and Safety: $1,505,795 (18 projects)
• Law Enforcement: $6,200,000 (73 projects)
Sounds like more forest fires to me.
EV’s have a reputation for spontaneous combustion. They should ban them. Especially as an off road vehicle.
That’s a step in the right direction given they’ve closed so much land off to dirt bikes and OHV… but it’s a drop in the bucket… anybody know where the 4 development projects are? Dirt biking / camping for families is so much better than kids staring at screens and provides exercise… bonding etc. …doesn’t have to be racing… just trail biking around is good…. imho
Just what I want to hear when out and about in nature. A bunch of dune buggies grinding up the terrain.
@Reasonable – OHV areas are designated for OHV use, why would you choose to hike or be out and about in an OHV area if your not an OHV user? Very few OHV designated parks in the state compared to how many acres of park land exists.
Yes! It’s about time.
The money given to this recreation through taxes and license fee’s has been a fortune over the years. It’s about time to put some of it back into it for those of us who enjoy the sport!
It’s an old movie, but watch On Any Sunday for those not familiar with this kind of activity.
I miss riding my YZ 80 when I was a kid. Many great memories at the off-road vehicle parks. I’m glad they’re opening more land for people to enjoy. We sure pay enough taxes.
Looks like the public will never see much of the money.