Nonhighway and Off Road Vehicle Activities

The NOVA-Trails Nonhighway and Off-Road Vehicle Activities Program is a state-administered grant initiative designed to support the development, maintenance, and management of outdoor recreation opportunities that rely on nonhighway access. The program is funded through a portion of state gasoline tax revenues and off-road vehicle use permits, reflecting a public investment in recreational infrastructure and environmental stewardship. It is administered through a state-level recreation and conservation funding authority, which oversees grant cycles, evaluation, and compliance. Funding is distributed on a biennial basis, meaning opportunities are offered every other year. The primary purpose of this grant program is to enhance access to and quality of outdoor recreational activities such as hiking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, hunting, fishing, sightseeing, and off-road vehicle use. The program also allocates funding for educational and enforcement initiatives that promote environmentally responsible recreation and reduce user conflict. Eligible projects span a wide range of activities including trail construction and renovation, campground and trailhead maintenance, operation of off-road vehicle parks, and development of interpretive or safety infrastructure. Importantly, most supported activities must be accessed via nonhighway roads, defined as public roads not built or maintained using gasoline tax funds, typically located in forests and parks. Funding is structured with defined grant limits depending on project type. For nonhighway road and nonmotorized categories, the maximum award is 200000 dollars per project across maintenance, operations, development, planning, and acquisition. Off-road vehicle projects may receive up to 250000 dollars for maintenance and operations, while development and acquisition projects in that category have no stated funding ceiling. Total program funding for the cycle is approximately 8.5 million dollars. Although matching funds are not required, applicants are encouraged to provide match contributions, as these improve competitiveness during evaluation. Eligible match sources include cash, labor, equipment, materials, and other grants. Eligible applicants include a broad set of public and nonprofit entities. These include local governments such as cities, counties, and park districts; state and federal agencies; Native American tribes; and nonprofit off-road vehicle organizations. Special purpose districts must demonstrate legal authority to acquire and manage recreational land. A key eligibility requirement is that most applicants must have an up-to-date comprehensive recreation or conservation plan, although this requirement does not apply to maintenance and operations projects. This planning prerequisite ensures that funded projects align with broader community or regional recreation strategies. The application process follows a structured timeline beginning with the opening of applications and an informational webinar in early August. A required comprehensive plan must be submitted by early September to qualify. Full applications are due in early November, followed by a technical review and completion period extending into January. Projects then undergo evaluation over several weeks, including a mandatory virtual question and answer session with evaluators for most project types. Final funding decisions are anticipated in late April. Applicants must prepare detailed submissions including scope of work acknowledgments, authorization forms, and supporting documentation. Evaluation criteria emphasize project feasibility, alignment with program goals, environmental responsibility, and public benefit. Projects that demonstrate strong planning, clear outcomes, and community support are more competitive. Additional points are awarded for projects that include matching contributions. Successful applicants must adhere to long-term commitments, including maintaining acquired lands for recreation purposes indefinitely or ensuring leases extend at least twenty-five years. The program also outlines specific ineligible uses, such as commercial recreation facilities or projects on land with conflicting ownership conditions. Overall, the NOVA-Trails program represents a comprehensive funding opportunity aimed at sustaining and expanding outdoor recreation infrastructure while balancing environmental stewardship and public access. Its structured process, broad eligibility, and flexible funding categories make it a significant resource for public agencies and nonprofit organizations engaged in recreation development and management.

Include match contributions to improve scoring; ensure comprehensive planning compliance; prepare for mandatory evaluator Q&A session