Amador County – The El Dorado National Forest announced that it will be applying for some of the $27.1 million available in the current funding cycle from the California Parks Service for off-highway vehicle programs.
Preliminary grant applications are due Monday, March 7, for the 2010-2011 Off-Highway Vehicle Grants program though the California Parks Service. The El Dorado Forest OHV grant application will be available for review online starting Tuesday, March 8, for a 30-day comment period.
The program has $27.1 million available for nonprofit agencies and organizations, which have until March 7 to submit preliminary applications, which may be applied for online at the California State Parks website, ohv.parks.ca.gov.
Grant funds are available in four categories for the upcoming cycle, including a total of $1.3 million for education and safety; $5.2 million for law enforcement; $13 million for operation and maintenance; and $7.6 million for restoration.
Forest Recreation Officer Lester Lubetkin said the El Dorado National Forest is developing an application for Off Highway Vehicle Cooperative Funds for the upcoming 2010-2011 grant cycle.
Lobetkin said: “We are developing a preliminary application … which includes a strong emphasis on trail maintenance and repair, restoration of trails and impacted areas, law enforcement across the four Ranger Districts, printing and distribution of the Motor Vehicle Use Maps, construction of a bridge on the Barrett 4WD Trail, and planning for necessary rerouting of trails in other areas.”
He said the grant applications will be posted on the Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation website on March 7, when preliminary applications are due.
The 30-day public review and comment period for the 2010-2011 Grants and Cooperative Agreement Program begins March 8 and ends April 4. This period provides an opportunity for the public to review preliminary applications submitted to the OHMVR Division for consideration during the current grant cycle.
The public may provide comments, suggestions, or letters to both the applicant and the OHMVR Division. The El Dorado National Forest will also host an Open House 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 10 to discuss its grant applications and to hear the public’s thoughts. The Open House will be held in the large conference room at the Forest Supervisor’s Office, 100 Forni Road, Placerville.
For information, call (530) 622-5061.
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
