March 5, 2025 — The Sierra National Forest is seeking public input as it prepares to submit a grant application for funding through the State of California’s Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation Fund. The Forest is developing a preliminary application for the California State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division (OHMVR) Grant Program, with the goal of securing funds for trail maintenance, law enforcement, and other vital projects that support OHV trails across the Sierra National Forest.
The OHMVR Division manages both the Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program and the Recreational Trail Program (RTP). The Grants Program, an annual initiative, provides financial assistance to agencies and organizations that help develop, maintain, operate, and expand high-quality OHV recreation areas, roads, and trails in California. The RTP, administered every two years, is part of the motorized recreation assistance program by the Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration and supports the development and upkeep of recreational trails and related facilities for motorized trail use.
Both programs prioritize responsible management of wildlife, soils, and habitat in project areas, ensuring that OHV recreation remains sustainable for future generations.
Since its inception in 1974, the OHMVR Grants Program has provided over $833 million in funding statewide, benefiting both local agencies and federal partners such as the United States Forest Service (USFS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Currently, more than 18,000 miles of OHV trails across 269,000 acres are accessible through USFS-managed lands, and over 25,000 miles of trails across 735,000 acres are available through BLM-managed lands. In total, an estimated 9 million OHV users in California enjoy these recreation opportunities, with over 5.2 million visitors participating in OHV recreation annually.
The Sierra National Forest’s upcoming application for OHV funding is part of this larger initiative to maintain these recreation areas while ensuring they remain environmentally responsible and accessible for all users. Public input is essential in shaping the final grant proposal, and community members are encouraged to share their comments.
There are several ways to submit feedback:
- Online: Starting March 4, the public can review the Forest’s preliminary grant application and submit feedback through the official website at olga.ohv.parks.ca.gov/egrams_ohmvr. The deadline for online comments is May 5, 2025.
- Mail: Written comments may be sent to Kevin Woods, Sierra National Forest, 1600 Tollhouse Road, Clovis, CA 93611. All mailed comments must be postmarked by May 5, 2025.
- Email: Comments can also be emailed to kevin.woods@usda.gov with the subject line “OHV Grant” by May 5, 2025.
The Forest Service will carefully review all public comments before finalizing and submitting the grant application in June.
Additional details on the Sierra National Forest are available at www.fs.usda.gov/sierra.
The Sierra National Forest is excited to hear from the public as it works to enhance OHV recreation opportunities in a responsible and sustainable manner, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy California’s incredible outdoor spaces.