Governor Ryan Announces Off-Highway Vehicle Recreational Trails Program Grants

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan today announced the first grants made available through the Illinois Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreational Trails Program, awarding more than $357,000 to develop two new public off-highway, motorized recreation areas and to improve an existing site.

"This new grant program addresses a lack of access for those who would like to ride their all-terrain vehicles and off-highway motorcycles without having to travel out of state," Ryan said. "This program will help keep those riders, and the money they spend, here in Illinois."

The OHV trails program is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources with funds received through the titling of all-terrain vehicles and off-highway motorcycles.

The program provides up to 100 percent reimbursement for approved project costs. Grants may be awarded for the acquisition of land from willing sellers, for construction and maintenance of OHV sites, for restoration of areas damaged by OHV use and for rider education and safety programs. Local government agencies, not-for-profit OHV clubs and organizations, businesses and private individuals may apply for program grants.

Application forms for the next round of grants are available by contacting the IDNR Division of Grant Administration, Room 315, 524 South Second Street, Springfield, IL, 62701-1787 or by calling 217/782-7481, TDD 217/782-9175, Ameritech Relay 800/526-0844. The deadline to submit an application is March 1.

A list of grant recipients is attached.

FY 2000 OHV GRANT PROGRAM RECIPIENTS

Clark County Park District, $80,000 to restore and improve signs on approximately 15.0 miles of existing OHV trail, to install perimeter fencing to prevent unauthorized access to adjacent public roads and private property and to purchase two all-terrain vehicles to be used for trail maintenance and site security within Mill Creek Park in Clarksville. (Local contact: Amie Woolen, 217/889-3901).

Little Egypt Off-Road Motorcycle Club, (Williamson County), $51,400 to help acquire approximately 500 acres of reclaimed strip mine land near the village of Crab Orchard. The site will be developed for public trails for use by all-terrain vehicle and off-highway motorcycle riders. (Local contact: Lance Martin, 618/252-2062).

Jay and Jimi Williams, (Saline County), $225,800 to purchase 220 acres of pasture and wooded hillsides to be developed for public trails for motorized recreation use near Rudement. (Local contact: Jay Williams, 618/252-3837).