OHV Partnership Grants

The OHV ORV Season Trail Ranger Application is offered through the Wyoming State Trails Program, which uses revenue from ORV and snowmobile permit sales to support motorized trail management in Wyoming. The broader OHV Partnership Grants program includes Trail Ranger Grants and Maintenance, Construction and Planning Grants for federal partners, and the State Trails Program also maintains an 8-member trail crew that can perform maintenance, rehabilitation, and development work on motorized trails at no cost to federal agencies other than on-site project coordination. The ORV Trail Ranger funding supports ORV education and enforcement during the summer recreational season. Funds are available to federal land managers and approved NGOs where documented agency staffing shortages exist. The program is intended to assist the State Trails Program and federal properties with Trail Ranger efforts across Wyoming. Supplemental grant requests may also be considered if the applicant includes a detailed explanation with the application. Allowable Trail Ranger activities include on-trail contacts, public education, distribution of safety and ethics materials, enforcement of Wyoming ORV-related statutes on National Forest or BLM lands, and applicable federal regulations. Trail Ranger efforts should focus on education, safety, registration and user fee compliance, trail user contacts, trail clearing, assisting with markers and signs, and sharing travel information. NGO Ambassadors are generally limited to user education because they typically do not have law enforcement authority. Work performed outside the May 1 through November 30 Trail Ranger season is not reimbursable. Eligible applicants include federal land managers and approved NGOs. Applicants must submit an Application for Assistance to trails.grants@wyo.gov by October 1. The application requires applicant agency or NGO information, contact details, total ORV trail miles in the area, estimated personnel, anticipated workdays, funds requested per year for the next two years, supplemental requests if applicable, a Trail Ranger description, and a modifiable Annual Operating Plan. The work plan asks for personnel, daily or mileage rates, work schedule, patrol locations, patrol hot spots, state-paid days and dollars, applicant match days and dollars, and total costs. The selection process is based on five criteria: the application, past year performance, timely reports and accurate billing, ORV use in the area, and the Coactive Partnership. Selection of Trail Ranger assistance for the summer recreation season is expected to be made by February 1. A signed agreement must be in place before any costs can be reimbursed or equipment distributed. Requested equipment is purchased by the State and remains State Trails Program property, while the applicant is responsible for equipment maintenance, operation, and repair costs. ORV season applications are due October 1 of each year. ORV vehicle use reports are due December 15, contact reports are due monthly by the 10th, and one annual summary report for State-owned ORV activity is due no later than December 10. Questions may be sent to trails.grants@wyo.gov. Program contacts include Forrest Kamminga for administrative program questions, Josh Milek for general program and equipment guidance, Jordan Weller for field operations and technical assistance, Louisa Lopez for grant agreement policy and procedure, and Maren Geary or Naomi Lopez for grant billing, contact reports, and applications.

Align application to selection criteria including past performance, accurate reporting, demonstrated ORV use, and partnership strength. Focus on education, safety, compliance enforcement, and high-use trail areas. Clearly define patrol plans and staffing needs.