More Funds for OHV Trails

NOTE: A list of the organizations receiving funding for off-highway trail development follows this news release.

Off-highway vehicle operators will soon have more and better places to ride in Nova Scotia.

Health Promotion and Protection Minister Barry Barnet and Natural Resources Minister David Morse have approved use of $228,890 from the Off-highway Infrastructure Fund for 14 off-highway vehicle trail development projects.

"This is the second group of projects to be cost-shared by the Off-highway Vehicle Infrastructure Fund," Laurie Cranton, chair of Nova Scotia's Off-highway Vehicle Ministerial Advisory Committee, said today, Nov. 20. "We are looking forward to providing even more support in the future as concerned community groups continue to develop safe and accessible trails for responsible users to ride."

Each year when off-highway vehicle owners register their vehicles, they contribute $40 to the infrastructure fund. It is through these contributions that funding for a system of trails is being made available.

The ministerial advisory committee -- which includes representatives from a cross-section of groups, including off-highway vehicle riders, landowners, the environmental community, safety and training, industry, and enforcement -- developed and oversees the process that organizations must use to qualify for infrastructure funding. The committee refers recommended projects to the two ministers who must approve the funding allocations.

Trail projects can receive up to 50 per cent of a total project's cost, usually up to $50,000, from the infrastructure fund. Projects must meet certain conditions, like avoiding vulnerable areas and contributing to environmental protection, making the most of existing infrastructure, and encouraging shared use where appropriate.

"This fund is financed by OHV users for OHV users," said Mr. Cranton. "Members of the ministerial advisory committee have carefully scrutinized the applications to help ensure that these users are getting the best possible value for their money. We are pleased to continue to receive well thought out project applications."

Nine of the approved projects will develop and upgrade trails managed by multi-use organizations, three projects are for trails managed by snowmobile clubs and two are for trails managed by all-terrain vehicle clubs.

The next deadline for applications will be March 7, 2008.

For information on trail development financing and applications for future OHV Infrastructure Fund trail development see the website at <a href="http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/ohv/fund.asp">www.gov.ns.ca/natr/ohv/fund.asp<a/> .

Following is a list of trail development projects which will receive support from the trails program of the Off-highway Vehicle Infrastructure Fund:

ATV Projects:

• Pictou County ATV Club: $1,500 for a project that will repair water damage and to prevent future water damage to a trail in Pictou Co.

• Sou Wes' Nova ATV Association: $11,000 to replace two culverts and stabilize two existing culverts as well as rebuild and resurface the road bed in Yarmouth Co.

Snowmobile Projects:

• Driftclimber Snowmobile Club: $25,000 to work on trails along the Renfrew Road, Hants Co.

• Fundy Trail Snowmobile and Recreation Club: $5,040 to replace decking on Trout Lake Bridge and improvements to the trail between Folly Lake and Hart Lake, Colchester Co.

• Route Six Snowmobile Club: $29,450 to work on the abandoned rail-trail from Oxford to Pictou, to the Trans-Canada Trail in Colchester and Pictou Counties.

Multi-Use Projects:

• Adventure Trail Association: $19,000 to create parking space where Adventure Trail crosses the Northfield Road, running through Maitland, Lunenburg, Co.

• Bay to Bay Trail Association: $3,000 to upgrade 10 kilometres of trail that travels through remote farmlands and forests near Highway No. 3, Lunenburg, Co.

• Bull Run Trail Association: $2,900 to upgrade a trail rest area for trail users and local community in Lunenburg County.

• Dynamite Trail Association: $6,000 to upgrade Narrows Bridge in Lunenburg County.

• La Have River Trail Association: $3,350 to upgrade and complete two kilometres of shared trail in West Northfield, Lunenburg Co.

• Margaree Highlanders Snowmobile Club: $5,600 to complete a study and management plan to develop a multi-use trail to connect the highlands with services located in Margaree Valley, Inverness Co.

• Municipality of the District of Chester: $25,000 to work on trails in the Municipality of Chester, Lunenburg Co.

• Queens Rails to Trails Association: $50,000 to upgrade the abandoned rail line between Shelburne Co. and Lunenburg Co. to provincial standards.

• South Shore - Annapolis Valley Recreational Trail Association: $42,050 to develop, manage and maintain 15 kilometres of trail along the abandoned rail line from New Germany, Lunenburg Co., to Annapolis County.