As we finish up the Winter of 2021-2022, the Nevada Offroad Association (NVORA) hits the dirt running. In this NVORA Winter Update, we will go over some of the 2022 funded projects and bring you up to speed about what you can expect on your home dirt.
Late in 2021, the Nevada Commission on Off Highway Vehicles (the Commission) authorized grants for projects totaling 3.7 million dollars. 60% of that total (just over 1.4 million dollars) is NV OHV registration dollars allocated to improve your local riding on your local dirt.
The other 40% represents the significant commitment of the 2022 applicants. The amount of work that will be provided by the groups who applied to the NV OHV Grant Program equals 4 out of every 10 dollars on a project. That is significant. The Nevada OHV community is putting in the work and takes ownership of Nevada OHV trails, routes and roads!
Categories of funded 2022 projects:
Law Enforcement
The Commission prioritizes underfunded local departments. Humboldt, Carson City, Mesquite, Las Vegas Metro, and Pershing County Departments were awarded grants totaling a bit over $150,000, which is 10% of the monies available. These grants will directly fund their OHV enforcement and education programs.
Education, Outreach, or Support
You’re enjoying your “OHV Day” and you see those information packed signs. Every wonder how they come to be? This category covers everything from gathering data for mapping to online or in-person educational projects. Information on staging kiosks, maps downloaded to your smartphone, and the informational pamphlets/cards you see at different events are covered by this category. All of those great things come from the coordinated efforts of Trail associations, OHV clubs, Land managers, Education programs that work to maximize your Nevada offroad experience. NVORA, Reno Area Dirt Riders, Nevada Department of Natural Heritage, Nevada Outdoor School, Nevada Mapping Collaborative, 775 Offroad Recovery, MXT Media, and Tread Lightly! all awarded under this banner. Those grants totaled a little over $580,000.
PROJECTS!
Yes, this is the best category! This is the ‘put the actual shovel in the ground, pitchfork in the trash, make your local dirt better for your offroad experience’ category. This year’s project proposals cover a wide range of needs. This round of funding supports new Motocross track construction in Elko, protection for Historic Pine Grove Cemetery, camper damage repair in Wilson Canyon along the Walker River, and several groups cleaning up the desert and working on trails. The Pine Nut Mountains Trails Association, Reno Area Dirt Riders, Elko Motocross Club, Nevada OHV Recreation Technicians, Tahoe Area Mountain Bike Association, and Vegas Valley 4 Wheelers all are working on projects totaling about $650,000. Throughout the next 11 months, we will be presenting updates on these and the other projects the Nevada Offroad Association is tracking or leading.
2022 Nevada OHV Grant Recipients
We note, with a bit of pride, that all projects NVORA supported are receiving funding. NVORA provided direct input regarding the grant process and provided genuine letters of support to awarded 2022 applicants. And wait, there’s more! NVORA’s application score is the highest of all the 2022 applicants. And NVORA assisted and/or supported seven of the top ten. BOOM!
