State officials today announced off-road vehicle (ORV) grant applications are available to public agencies, nonprofit and incorporated clubs and organizations.

Applications are available for grants to maintain existing designated ORV trails, routes and use areas; repair public lands damaged by inappropriate ORV use; and develop new ORV trails, routes and use areas. Grant funds also are available to pay for liability insurance, leases or easements.

“We currently maintain more than 3,100 miles of designated ORV trails and routes statewide,” said Steve Kubisiak, DNR recreation and trails program coordinator. “We encourage participation from all user organizations and other public agencies to help us maintain Michigan’s great ORV trail system.”

Grant applications are prioritized to address existing trail maintenance and restoration needs on public land. Grant applicants are encouraged to identify all trails, routes and areas they wish to maintain. Requests may include more trail, route, or area maintenance than previously has been assigned to a sponsor organization.

Applications must be submitted by August 1, 2005. Any public agency, nonprofit, incorporated club or organization seeking an application should contact DNR Grants, Contracts and Customer Systems, P.O. Box 30425, Lansing, MI 48909. Applications also may be requested by using Grants, Contracts and Customer Systems’ 24-hour voice mail at (517) 373-2724. The forms also are listed under Forms and Publications on the Grants Administration page on the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr. Click on Inside DNR and then go to Grants Administration.

Questions about the ORV program and application requirements should be directed to ORV program staff in the DNR Forest, Mineral and Fire Management Division at (517) 373-1665.

A separate application is available for grants to eligible county sheriff departments to enforce ORV regulations. Counties that have either designated ORV trails or abandoned railroad rights-of-way that are being converted into Michigan Trailways are eligible for law enforcement funding. For more information on ORV enforcement grant opportunities, contact Maureen Kay Houghton at (517) 373-2965, or visit the DNR Web site, Grants Administration.