MARIPOSA — The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office will be submitting an application for grant funds for off-highway vehicle recreation management on public lands.
The California State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division is funding the planning efforts through an off-highway vehicle planning grant. The state program supports off-highway vehicle recreation in California by distributing more than $35 million annually collected from gas tax, entrance fees and off-highway vehicle sticker registrations. The program supports off-highway vehicle recreation in California by providing financial assistance to cities, counties, districts, federal agencies, state agencies, educational institutions, and federally recognized Native American Tribes and non-profit entities.
Sheriff Jeremy Briese.
Anyone interested can review and comment on the preliminary applications from March 7 to May 1 by visiting the grants section.
“We continue to see an increase in the need to ensure the safety of our off-highway vehicle recreators,” said Sheriff Jeremy Briese. “We look forward to seeing suggestions from those who enjoy off-highway vehicle sports on public lands. This year we anticipate seeking funds to support law enforcement needs in all of Mariposa County not just in designated OHV areas.”
Public comments or suggestions can be submitted by mail to the Sheriff’s Office at PO Box 276, Mariposa, CA 95338, attention Jenny Baker, or by e-mail to jappling@mariposacounty.org.
Additionally, stakeholders can contact Ms. Baker at the above address to request a meeting to discuss off-highway vehicle improvement needs in Mariposa County. The agency works closely with stakeholders and communities in this effort.
About the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division’s Grant Program
Ground Operations – BLM Eagle Lake.
The OHMVR Division manages the Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program (Grants Program). The Grants Program is an annual program that provides for well managed off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation in the State of California by providing financial assistance to eligible agencies and organizations that develop, maintain, operate, expand, support, or contribute to well managed high-quality OHV recreation areas, roads and trails.
El Dorado County CAO.
Also as important, the Grants Program seeks to responsibly maintain the wildlife, soils, and habitat of project areas in a manner that will sustain long-term OHV recreation.
In addition to the Grants Program, the OHMVR Division is also responsible for the motorized portion of the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). The RTP is an assistance program of the Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The RTP provides funds to California to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both non-motorized and motorized recreational trail uses.
Some facts about the OHMVR’s grant program
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Ground Operations – BLM Barstow.
Since the advent of the Grants Program in 1974, grant recipients have received more than $740 million statewide.
- Grants were first awarded to local agencies in 1974 and in 1979 to the United States Forest Service (USFS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
- Approximately 80 percent of the OHV riding opportunities are outside state of California managed lands.
- Through their USFS partners, over 18,000 miles and 269,000 acres are available for OHV Recreation.
- Through their BLM partners, over 18,000 miles and 478,000 of acres are made available for OHV Recreation.
Plumas County Search and Rescue.
Check out this great video with some off-highway safety tips!
