IDNR Announces Off-Highway Vehicle Grant

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) today announced the award of a $653,500 grant for acquisition of land that will allow for public access to off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation.

Grant funds awarded to James W. Lowry, Jr. will help purchase 80 acres of the existing 180-acre "The Cliffs Insane Terrain Off Road Park" in Marseilles, in La Salle County. The remainder of the site will be leased to the grant recipient.

"The Illinois Off-Highway Vehicle Grant Program provides dedicated funding support from OHV users to offer the public opportunities to enjoy OHV recreation," said IDNR Director Colleen Callahan. "We know Illinois enthusiasts and out-of-state patrons of our parks are looking for opportunities like these and we're excited to be able to offer them."

The OHV grant program provides financial aid to government agencies, not-for-profit organizations, and other eligible groups or individuals (as noted in Section 3045.20 of the Illinois Administrative Code) to develop, operate, maintain, and acquire land for off-highway vehicle parks, trailside facilities and trails that are open and accessible to the public in Illinois, as well as maintenance and repair of the parks, trails and trailside facilities.

Grant funds come from two primary sources. All-terrain vehicles and off-highway motorcycles (purchased for uses other than agricultural) must apply for a $30 certificate of title. Those funds are used for the OHV Grant Program. In addition, riders must purchase a public access sticker for machines operated on sites supported by OHV grant funds. These stickers range in price from $6.00 to $26.00.

For information on how to apply for an OHV grant, visit: https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/AEG/Pages/OffHighwayVehicleprogram.aspx