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

Forest Service Seeks Public Comment On Off-Highway Vehicle Grant Application
Date: Feb 25, 2010
Contact(s): Andrew Madsen (805-961-5759)

GOLETA…The Forest Service announced today that Los Padres National Forest recreation managers will be seeking public comments on their proposals for the 2009/2010 State of California Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) grant program. According to state requirements, public comments can submitted from March 2 through April 5, 2010.

A two-step application process is used by the State to allow public comment and feedback before final submittal. The preliminary application is due March 1, 2010. This will open a 30-day public review and comment period and will follow with final applications due on Monday, May 3, 2010. The State is using an Internet-based “On-Line Grant Application” application process as the means to apply for State funding.

The Los Padres National Forest is soliciting public input specific to the Forest’s 2009/2010 grant application proposals for Cooperative Agreements with the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Division. The Forest has submitted two grants applications. The first grant includes projects for ground operations, planning, restoration, and education and safety. The second grant is for law enforcement activities. The preliminary application 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 Jeff Bensen at 805-961-5744.

Los Padres National Forest officials are providing two opportunities for interested parties to discuss the grant applications and submit public comments. A meeting is scheduled for March 25, 2010 at the Los Padres Supervisor’s Office at 6755 Hollister Ave, Suite 150, Goleta, CA. The meeting will begin at 10:00 am and end at 12:00 pm. Additionally, an open house will be held on March 25, 2010 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Santa Lucia Ranger District Office, which is located at 1616 N. Carlotti Dr., Santa Maria, CA. 93454.

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 "operations and maintenance" category is divided into four project types: acquisition, development, ground operations and planning, with the emphasis on projects that sustain existing OHV recreation.

The State of California Department of Parks and Recreation and the Los Padres National Forest have maintained a successful partnership for more than 25 years, with funding assistance for well-managed OHV recreation on National Forest lands. In 2008, the Forest was successful in obtaining $503,906 of grant funds to provide the public with outstanding OHV recreation opportunities.