The public is invited to comment on the 2011 applications the Bureau of Land Management has submitted to the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division (OHMVR). The public review and comment period will run from Tuesday, March8 through Monday, April 4, 2011.

The annual OHV grant applications are a key part of the partnership between BLM and the State of California, which issues grants to a variety of entities to improve or mitigate off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation. California State Parks’ OHV program will be accepting grant applications from a number of agencies including federal agencies, county and city law enforcement and parks departments, and non-profit organizations. This year, more than $27 million is available for allocation. BLM applies for grants from the state each year to help fund and coordinate its OHV program.

The public may view the applications online at OHMVR's website at http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/. Copies are also available at BLM's field offices in Alturas, Arcata, Bakersfield, Barstow, Bishop, Cedarville, El Centro, Needles, Palm Springs, Redding, Ridgecrest, Susanville, and Ukiah, as well as the BLM Desert District Office in Moreno Valley and the state office in Sacramento. Information is also available on the BLM California website at http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/prog/recreation.html.

The draft 2011 BLM applications will encompass more than 50 projects, ranging from law enforcement, facility developments, trails projects, restoration work and other OHV-related projects proposed throughout BLM’s 15 field offices in the state.

Jim Keeler, BLM OHV coordinator, said the BLM is also reaching out to interested publics through mailings, public meetings, personal contacts, and through BLM-California's e-newsletter, News.bytes. For further details on BLM’s grant applications, contact Keeler at (916) 978-4654 or email james_keeler@ca.blm.gov.