The 81st Texas Legislature recently provided Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Management Program with a $500,000 boost for the 2010-11 biennium. This isn’t some freebie handout, but instead reflects funds generated from OHV decal sales.
You had to know that in Texas, where 97% of the land is private, it will always be difficult to acquire and develop land for off-road use. Add in costs for surveys and archaeological and biological studies, and the task seems nearly impossible. But, this sum will help TPWD to step up their work to open new areas for OHV use.
Program manager Steve Thompson shared with us how matching grants and partnerships with groups like the National Recreational Trails Fund (NRTF) and other coalitions make this process possible, although any OHV related club or group throughout the state can also put the grant process in motion.
Thompson said, “Our goal is the same as theirs. We all want to create legal and safer places to ride.” Get more information on Texas OHV areas and decal sales at www.tpwd.state.tx.us/ohv.
– Tom Wiley
