BLM Central Coast Field Office to host open house for off-highway vehicle grant application

Organization:

Bureau of Land Management

BLM Office:

Central Coast Field Office

Media Contact:

Photo of rolling green hills. Photo by Scott Hubbard/BLM.MARINA, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management will hold an open house on Wednesday, Feb. 19, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., at the Central Coast Field Office, 940 2nd Avenue, Marina, to gather public input for a potential off-highway vehicle grant proposal to the California State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division for the Williams Hill Management Area near San Ardo.

The Central Coast Field Office is considering applying for a planning grant to fund improvements to the road and trail system at Williams Hill, a BLM-managed recreation area in southern Monterey County. Currently, the area offers a developed campground and limited opportunities for off-highway vehicles. The BLM seeks public input on the type and extent of improvements that could be made to the area’s route system and facilities.

The OHMVR Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program supports well-managed off-highway vehicle recreation in California by distributing more than $35 million annually collected from gas tax, entrance fees and OHV sticker registrations. Cities, counties, districts, federal and state agencies, educational institutions, federally recognized Native American Tribes and non-profit entities can apply for funds to develop, maintain and restore trails; provide law enforcement; and offer safety and training for riders.

The public is invited to drop in at any time during the open house and provide ideas for projects and opportunities that could be incorporated into the grant application. Representatives from the BLM will be available to answer questions about the application process and to receive input to help develop the proposal.

Preliminary grant applications will be submitted to the OHMVR Division by March 2. The public will then be able to comment on the preliminary applications from March 3 to May 4. Final applications must be submitted by June 1. For more information about the state grant process and requirements, visit the OHMVR Division website at www.ohv.parks.ca.gov.

For more information, to submit ideas, or if you need reasonable accommodation to participate in this open house, please call BLM Outdoor Recreation Planner Adam Wilde at 831-582-2200, or email him at BLM_CA_Web_CC@blm.gov. For more information about Williams Hill Management Area, visit https://www.blm.gov/visit/williams-hill.


The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.