Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Fund - Emergency and Mitigation Grants

The Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Fund provides essential financial support for managing off-highway vehicle (OHV) activities in Arizona. Established in 1991, it allocates a portion of motor vehicle fuel taxes to fund projects, with approximately $2 million available annually. The Emergency and Mitigation Grants, offering up to $100,000 per project, assist in addressing urgent trail damages caused by vandalism, fire, and weather, ensuring safe recreational environments for all users.

The State OHV Recreation Fund, established in 1991, provides a legislatively set percentage (0.55 percent) of total license taxes on motor vehicle fuel from the Highway User Revenue Fund for OHV management. Approximately $2 million is available annually through Arizona State Parks for OHV projects. In 2009, new OHV legislation was enacted to provide more regulation of OHV usage and additional funds to support law enforcement and facility development. All vehicles weighing less than 2,500 pounds and designed primarily for travel over unimproved terrain are required to display an indicia (sticker) distributed through the Department of Motor Vehicles. The $25 cost of the sticker is added to the OHV Recreation Fund. State Parks receive 60 percent of the money in the fund for projects.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants include governmental entities (cities, towns, counties, tribal governments, state and federal agencies), Non-profits and clubs.
Eligible Projects: Funding can be used for trail damages caused by vandalism, fire, and weather occurrences when expedited grant dispersal is necessary to fix an unsafe condition. Trash removal and dust mitigation projects are also available.