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

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., March 3, 2017 – The Forest Service announced today that San Bernardino National Forest recreation managers will be seeking public comments on their proposals for the 2016/2017 State of California Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) grant program. According to state requirements, public comments can be submitted from Tuesday, March 7, 2017 through Monday, April 3, 2017 by 5 PM.

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A three-step application process is used by the State to allow public comment and feedback before final submittal. Public recommendations regarding the development of preliminary applications were solicited, received and considered by the Forest in February. The preliminary grant applications are due March 6, 2016. This opens the second public review and comment period. The Forest will review and consider the public comments and then submit their final grant applications by May 1, 2017. The State is using an Internet-based “On-Line Grant Application” process as the means to apply for State funding.

At this time, San Bernardino National Forest is soliciting public input specific to the Forest’s 2016-2017 grant application proposals for Cooperative Agreements with the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division (OHMVRD). We are encouraging the public to provide us with constructive criticism and/or suggestions that will enable us to better our program.

The Forest will be submitting three preliminary grant applications. The grants include projects for ground operations, law enforcement and development. The preliminary applications will be available online by visiting the California State OHV Grants and Cooperative Agreements program at http://www.ohv.parks.ca.gov . Hard copies may be requested by contacting Deveree Kopp (909) 382-2831 or dkopp@fs.fed.us . The Division’s website will provide detailed instructions for accessing the preliminary application and submitting comments. Comments must be submitted via email to both the OHMVR Division and the San Bernardino National Forest. Comments to the San Bernardino National Forest should be submitted to Deveree Kopp at dkopp@fs.fed.us and to California State Parks by using the "Grants" tab on their website at http://www.ohv.parks.ca.gov

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, and 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 30 years, with funding assistance for well-managed OHV recreation on National Forest lands. In 2016, the Forest was successful in obtaining over 600 thousand dollars in grant funds to provide the public with world-class OHV recreation opportunities.