Gov. Blagojevich awards $416,000 in Off-highway Vehicle Recreational Trails grants

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today awarded $416,500 in grants to develop and improve Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) riding areas throughout the state.  The grants will help fund five projects including acquisition of land for a new OHV area and improvements and maintenance at existing areas.

"These grants will help to build and maintain off-highway vehicle parks throughout the state, create new areas for families to enjoy activities like picnicking and help to make the trails safer for riders," said Gov. Blagojevich.

"The development of OHV riding sites will help to promote an additional phase of tourism which, in turn, will bring more business to our area," said state Representative Don Moffitt (R-Gilson).

The OHV Trails Program is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources IDNR) with funds received from title fees for all-terrain vehicles and off-highway motorcycles, and through the sale of "public access stickers," which are required to be displayed on all OHV's operated on grant assisted sites.

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 the grants.

The projects awarded today were recommended for funding by the Off-Highway Vehicle Trails Advisory Board, composed of representatives of motorized recreation interests.  To date, the OHV grant program has awarded grants to nine OHV parks throughout the state.

Application forms for the next round of grants are available by contacting the IDNR Division of Grant Administration, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL, 62702-1271 or by calling 217/782-7481, TDD 217/782-9175, Ameritech Relay 800/526-0844 or on the Department's web site at www.dnr.state.il.us.  The next deadline for submitting applications is March 1, 2007.

2006 Off-Highway Vehicle grants:

Clark County Park District (Clark County) $46,300 to further develop facilities available for OHV riders within Mill Creek Park near Marshall.  The project includes the construction of a picnic shelter with tables, the purchase of a mower and skid steer tractor for the maintenance of the OHV trails and parking area, and the purchase of a GPS unit to more accurately map and sign the 15 miles of OHV trails within the park.

Little Egypt Off-Road Motorcycle Club (Williamson County) $79,600 to further develop the 718 acre Little Egypt Off-Road Public OHV Recreational Area near the Village of Crab Orchard.  The project includes the construction of a pole barn building to store the site's tractors and trail equipment, the purchase of an additional tractor with a front end loader and a dump trailer for trail and site work, the posting of additional trail signs and site advertising costs.

Tom Enyeart (Henry County) $111,240 for the acquisition of 206 acres near Atkinson for a public OHV area.  The site will be developed with trails for all-terrain vehicles and off-highway motorcycles.

Triple H., Inc. (Christian County)$50,700 for improvements to the 436 acre South Fork Dirt Riders Public OHV Recreation Area located between Kincaid and Taylorville.  The project includes the installation of site security fencing, trail repairs and the rehabilitation of some mine refuse areas.

Williams Hill Pass Association (Saline County) $128,700 for improvements to an existing 220 acre OHV park south of Harrisburg near the Village of Rudement.  Funds will be used for the construction of a picnic pavilion with picnic tables, the extension of a water line to the site, the purchase of a tractor with a front end loader for trail and site work, and the extension of electrical service.