FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1/14/2003

CONTACT:Gretchen Leslie
Press Secretary
(717) 772-9101

SCHWEIKER ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES GRANTS FOR
SNOWMOBILE AND ATV RIDING OPPORTUNITIES

HARRISBURG (Jan. 14) -- On behalf of Gov. Mark Schweiker, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary John C. Oliver today announced nearly $700,000 for six grants to develop and improve all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and snowmobile riding opportunities in Pennsylvania.

"More and more people are seeking places to ride their motorized recreational vehicles," Secretary Oliver said. "But because our state forest lands cannot accommodate the volume of trails desired, we are looking for community and private lands to fill that need. These grants help to do that."

The new grant program can help to buy land; develop plans and surveys; construct and maintain ATV and snowmobile trails; buy equipment; and conduct training relating to ATV and snowmobile use. Grants can fund up to 80 percent of a project, except for land acquisition grants, which are limited to a 50 percent match.

The grants are made possible from changes to the Snowmobile/ATV law passed by the General Assembly in 2001. Using funds from the Snowmobile/ATV fund, DCNR can award grants each year to municipalities and profit and nonprofit organizations for trail development on county, municipal, non-profit and private lands. Previously, the law restricted the funds to be used solely on state-controlled lands.

This is the second round of grants under the new program.
This round of grants will be used to help acquire more than 2,000 acres for the development of motorized and non-motorized trails; purchase maintenance equipment; develop a snowmobile trailhead facility; develop and maintain 10 miles of motorized trails; and conduct plans for developing motorized riding sites.

"This program will only achieve success when groups and communities work together to identify the most suitable locations for these trails," Secretary Oliver said. "The opportunity is there to expand what currently exists for these motorized activities."

The changes in the Snowmobile/ATV law also now require all ATV and snowmobile owners, except those using their vehicles solely for farming or business, to register their vehicles with DCNR. All registered ATVs will receive a new registration plate; snowmobiles still require a registration sticker.

Registration applications are available by contacting DCNR's Snowmobile/ATV Section at Riverfront Office Center, 1101 S. Front St., Harrisburg, PA 17104, (717) 783-9227.
For more information on DCNR grants, call (717)783-2656, or visit the PA PowerPort at www.state.pa.us, PA Keyword: "DCNR grants."

2003
EDITOR'S NOTE: A list of the snowmobile and ATV grants follows.

2003 SNOWMOBILE/ATV GRANTS

Multiple Counties
Allegheny Ridge Corporation, $55,000, for continued development of a regional motorized trail plan for Project Ridge RIDER, covering a 12-county area in southwestern Pennsylvania. The plan includes selecting sites for development and doing conceptual plans for three to five abandoned coal-mine sites for motorized recreation areas;

Clearfield County
Central Pennsylvania All-Terrain Vehicle Association Inc., $500,000, for acquisition of 2,050 acres along Route 153 in Boggs Township for development of motorized and non-motorized trails;

Erie County
Presque Isle Snowmobile Club Inc., $34,300, to further develop a Presque Isle Snowmobile Club trailhead facility in Waterford Township. Work to include expanding and paving a parking area; installation of ADA accessible walkways, signage, landscaping and lighting; and other related site improvements;

McKean County
McKean County, $80,000, to prepare a master site-development plan and environmental study for approximately 100 miles of all-terrain vehicle trails in the Allegheny National Forest, Corydon Township;

Somerset and Westmoreland counties
Laurel Highlands Snowmobile Club, $10,000, to purchase a utility vehicle for maintaining the Laurel Highlands snowmobile trails, Forbes State Forest; and

Washington County
Four Seasons Resort Inc., $14,000, to further develop and maintain 10 miles of motorized trails at Four Seasons Resort Inc., West Finley Township. Work to include brush control, mowing, grading; purchase of trail maintenance equipment and signage; installation of ADA access, landscaping, signage; and other related site improvements.