BLM and Inyo National Forest seek public input for off-highway vehicle grants
Organization
BLM Office:
Media Contact:
BISHOP, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management Bishop Field Office and the Inyo National Forest want to hear the public’s ideas on how to ensure off-highway vehicle trails are secure and well maintained on public lands throughout the Eastern Sierra. The public is invited to provide input during a virtual public meeting planned for Thursday, Feb. 3 at 5 p.m.
This public meeting will provide off-highway vehicle users a chance to visit with the BLM and U.S. Forest Service staff to discuss changes or improvements that can help make everyone’s outdoor experience more enjoyable. The BLM and Forest Service will use the public feedback to draft their grant applications for law enforcement, restoration, and ground operations and maintenance to be submitted to the California State Parks’ Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program.
The Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program supports well-managed off-highway vehicle recreation in California by distributing more than $35 million annually collected from gas tax, entrance fees and OHV sticker registrations. Cities, counties, districts, federal and state agencies, educational institutions, federally recognized Native American Tribes and non-profit entities can apply for funds to develop, maintain and restore trails; provide law enforcement; and offer safety and training for riders.
Preliminary applications must be submitted to Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division no later than March 7 and will be available on the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division’s website at www.ohv.parks.ca.gov/, for additional public review and comment from March 8 to May 2. The website will provide detailed instructions for accessing the preliminary applications and submitting comments. Public comments should be submitted to both the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division and to the BLM Bishop Field Office or Inyo National Forest by May 2, 2022.
Please register to participate in the virtual public meeting at https://tinyurl.com/yckmwj5n. Registrants will receive a link and phone numbers to join the meeting. Please contact the BLM or USFS for reasonable accommodations to participate. Comments may also be emailed to the BLM at BLM_CA_Web_BI@blm.gov or to Jeremy DeCell at the Inyo National Forest at Jeremy.decell@usda.gov.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.