BLM seeks public input on 2023 off-highway vehicle grant proposals

Organization

Bureau of Land Management

BLM Office:

California Desert District Office

Media Contact:

A four-wheeler on a  dusty desert road with a mountain in the background.

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management is hosting several public and stakeholder meetings to gather input on the development of off-highway vehicle grant proposals for submission to the California State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division (Division). If approved, the grants will support off-highway vehicle management activities such as visitor services, law enforcement, resource protection, planning and monitoring, and maintenance on BLM-managed public lands throughout the state.

“The BLM uses public input gathered during these meetings to develop our grant applications,” said Shelly Lynch, California Desert District Manager. “Grant funds support the BLM’s management of off-highway vehicle recreation areas, and help enhance roads and trails important to the outdoor recreation community.”

Through the distribution of more than $30 million annually collected from the gas tax, entrance fees, and OHV sticker registrations, the Division’s Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program bolsters well-managed off-highway vehicle recreation by providing financial assistance to cities, counties, districts, educational institutions, state agencies, federal agencies, federally recognized Native American Tribes, and nonprofit entities.

The BLM applies for grants from the California State Parks Division annually to help fund and coordinate its off-highway vehicle programs. Grant applications are being prepared for the 2023 grant cycle.

Stakeholders and members of the public are invited to attend the scoping meeting, stakeholder meeting, or both. The meeting schedule is as follows and participants are invited to join meetings virtually, by phone using the dial-in information, or attend in-person. Please see options for participating below.

El Centro Field Office: Feb. 7
3:00-4:00 p.m. Scoping meeting
4:00-4:30 p.m. Stakeholder meeting

Phone: 833-568-8864 or Virtual Via Zoom: Meeting ID: 161 121 2748/ Passcode: 571648

Needles Field Office: Feb. 9
5:00-6:30 p.m.

In-person: BLM Needles Field Office, 1303 S. Highway 95, Needles, CA 92363
 

Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office: Feb. 16
5:00-6:00 p.m. Scoping meeting

6:00-7:00 p.m. Stakeholder meeting

Phone: 833-568-8864 or Virtual via Zoom: Meeting ID: 161 705 3100/ Passcode: 825283

Barstow Field Office: Feb. 15
4:00-5:00 p.m. Scoping meeting

5:00-6:00 p.m. Stakeholder meeting

Phone: 202-640-1187, Conference ID: 485898952#

Ridgecrest Field Office: Feb. 23
4:30-5:15 p.m. Stakeholder meeting

5:15-6:00 p.m. Scoping meeting

In-person: BLM Ridgecrest Field Office at 300 S Richmond Rd, Ridgecrest, CA 93555
Phone: 833-568-8864 or Virtual via Zoom: Meeting ID: 160 120 7677/ Passcode: 295718

Preliminary applications must be submitted to the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division no later than March 6 and will be available online. The website provides detailed instructions for accessing the preliminary applications and submitting comments. Public comments should be submitted to the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division and to the appropriate BLM field office from March 7, 2023 to May 1, 2023.


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.