Posted June 27, 2006

Finding Money for OHV Trails

Your club has a great idea for an OHV riding area, and there is some available land near your town.

So where do you go to get the money for your project?

The place to look first is the Recreational Trails Program administered by the U.S. Transportation Department's Federal Highway Administration.

The program provides money to the states to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both motorized and non-motorized trail uses. For example, hiking, bicycling and horse trails can be funded, as well as OHV trails.

Congress earmarks roughly $50 million a year for the program for projects nationwide. The money comes from federal gas taxes paid by OHV enthusiasts including motorcyclists, ATVers, four-wheel-drive enthusiasts and snowmobilers.

Recreational Trails Program funds are used for a variety of projects including maintaining and restoring existing trails, developing or rehabilitating trail facilities, buying and leasing trail construction and maintenance equipment, building new trails, and for educational programs related to trails.

The federal government provides the money to the states, and each state administers its own program, usually through a state natural resource or park agency. Federal officials note that each state develops its own procedures for soliciting and selecting projects for funding.

It will take some work on your part to turn theses millions of grant dollars into trails on the ground. States operate differently: Some will only allow officials representing cities and counties to apply for grants, while others also allow nonprofit organizations to apply. Some even allow individuals to apply.

This isn't free money. Each state requires you to match the money in cash or with in-kind contributions, such as trail work, of 20 to 50 percent.

To find out how to apply for a Recreational Trails Program grant in your state, contact your state natural resources or parks department and ask to speak with the Recreational Trails Program state administrator.

Or, to get the name, address and telephone number of your state administrator, go to list at the Federal Highway Administration website: www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/rectrails/rtpstate.htm.

Do it now. The sooner you get the process rolling, the sooner you'll have a new place to ride in your area.

© 2006, All Terrain Vehicle Association