Forest Service Seeks Public Comment on Off-Highway Vehicle Grant Application

Release Date: Mar 5, 2012

San Bernardino, Calif., March 5, 2012 – The Forest Service announced today that San Bernardino National Forest recreation managers will be seeking public comments on their proposals for the 2012/2013 State of California Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) grant program. According to state requirements, public comments can be submitted from March 6 through April 2, 2012.

A two-step application process is used by the State to allow public comment and feedback before final submittal. We are encouraging the public to provide us with constructive criticism and/or suggestions that will enable us to better our program. The preliminary application was due March 5, 2012. This will open a public review and comment period and will follow with final applications due May 7, 2012. The State is using an Internet-based “On-Line Grant Application” process as the means to apply for State funding.

San Bernardino National Forest is soliciting public input specific to the Forest’s 2012-13 grant application proposals for Cooperative Agreements with the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Division. The Forest will be submitting four grants applications. The grants include projects for ground operations (trail maintenance and facilities management), restoration of unauthorized routes, boulder placement in the Cajon Wash, and new single track trails planning for the Mountaintop District. Law enforcement grants are submitted regionally. The preliminary application will be available online by visiting the California State OHV Grants and Cooperative Agreements program at www.ohv.parks.ca.gov Hard copies may be requested by contacting Linda Stamer (909) 382-2824 or lstamer@fs.fed.us

State regulations require annual public participation in this fund allocation process. The agreements support OHV management activities on the national forest, including operations and maintenance, restoration, law enforcement, education and safety. The State of California Department of Parks and Recreation and the San Bernardino National Forest has maintained a successful partnership for more than 25 years, with funding assistance for well-managed OHV recreation on National Forest lands. In 2011, the Forest was successful in obtaining several hundred thousand dollars in grant funds to provide the public with world-class OHV recreation opportunities.

For additional information about the San Bernardino National Forest, please visit: http://www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf