OHV Infrastructure Fund - Trails
Increased access to safe, managed OHV trails and riding areas is a key component in the government’s OHV Action Plan.
Deadline for Expression of Interest Submission: You need to apply by 1 December 2023 at 4:30 pm.
Applications for Emergency Funding will be considered as required.
Goals of the OHV Infrastructure Fund (Trails) are:
- to provide funding for OHV trail and riding area development
- to support the planning and design associated with these facilities
- to provide funding to help maintain OHV accessible infrastructure
Principles that guide the OHV Infrastructure Fund (Trails):
- Safe, quality and environmentally responsible infrastructure that meet the provincial guidelines as outlined in Developing Recreational Trails in Nova Scotia - available from www.novascotiatrails.com
- optimizing the use of existing trail infrastructure, to reduce the need for new trail development
- shared use and management
- avoidance of vulnerable and high conservation value areas and contribution to environmental protection
- encouraging community participation
- value landowner concerns
- partnerships between not- for- profits, governments, landowners, private sector
- sustainability (ie. maintenance plan, etc.)
- reasonable public access
- to reduce land use conflicts and inappropriate OHV use by establishing approved OHV trails
The following are eligible for OHV Infrastructure Fund (Trails) assistance:
- Not-for-profit groups registered under the Societies Act (or equivalent) and in good standing. Not-for-profit groups must be members of either SANS (Snowmobiler's Association of NS, ATVANS (All-Terrain Vehicle Association of NS), NSORRA (NS Off-Road Riders Association or NSTF (NS Trails Federation and operating under the policies and principles of that organization
- Landowners through a not-for-profit organization
- Municipalities
Applicants may be eligible for funding over more than one year if a multi-year development plan is submitted.
- projects approved for funding are eligible to receive up to 50% of the total project cost, usually not to exceed $50,000 in one fiscal year.
- funding to support design, planning and engineering may be available through the Program
- projects involving fittings, buildings and equipment essential to making the trail and riding area operational are eligible
- Maintenance work is eligible
Based upon the availability of funds there may be more than one allocation date each year. Subsequent deadlines for fund allocations will be announced.