The Great Basin Trails Alliance hopes to garner more than $150,000 in state funding for trail construction in White Pine County, but needs local participation to succeed.

The money requested would come from Question 1, an environmental initiative approved by Nevada voters in 2002.

Question 1 authorizes the State of Nevada to issue up to $200-million in general obligation bonds to help fund conservation and natural resource projects, statewide. The money is divvied-up between the Nevada Division of State Lands, Nevada Division of State Parks and Nevada Department of Wildlife. Clark County too receives a share of the funding.

Kalem Lenard, coordinator for the Great Basin Trails Alliance, said Thursday that the non-profit organization will this month ask the Nevada Division of State Lands for $151,604 to help construct two new trails in White Pine County. He said the total cost of the projects is estimated at $248,882.

“…And that’s where we need people to help. To receive the grant we need to provide an in-kind match, which we can do by volunteering our time and labor, for example,” Lenard said.

Lenard said both trails would focus on the Ely area and benefit multiple users.

The first trail, said Lenard, would connect and, in some cases, re-route existing roads in the hills surrounding Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park to create about 85 miles of usable trail for motorized vehicles. The second trail, he said, would create about a seven-mile loop in the Camel Peak area that would provide non-motorized users excellent views of Cave Lake State Park and the surrounding valleys.

Lenard said both trails would be designed to protect natural resources and minimize the need for maintenance.

“The key word here is sustainability,” said Lenard.

The Great Basin Trails Alliance is a collaborative effort by multiple user groups to develop in eastern Nevada trails systems that protect the natural resources, while benefiting the economic health of local communities. The Nevada Division of Forestry, Nevada Division of State Parks, Nevada Department of Wildlife, BLM, Forest Service and Great Basin National Park supports the effort.