Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Trail Improvement Program

This program provides funding for maintenance of established ORV trails and facilities as part of the designated statewide trail system.  It also funds development of new trails and facilities, and restoration of natural resources damaged by ORV use.

Criteria: 

Applications for trail, route, or area maintenance and/or development must be for facilities that are open to the public. Applications for damage restoration funds must be for lands under public ownership.

Eligibility: 

Government agencies and nonprofit, incorporated clubs and organizations are eligible for these grant funds. Individuals are not eligible.

Application Process: 

1. Grant applications and information on applying for grants are available in early spring. 

2. Grant applications with required documents are due to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources by May 1. 

3. The Department reviews applications and selects projects to be funded. 

4. Grant agreements are issued to sponsors in late winter for the upcoming ORV season. 

5. Approved sponsors must return two signed, original project agreements to the Department. 

6. A fully executed grant agreement is provided to each sponsor. 

Deadline(s): 

Grant applications are due May 1 of each year

Timeline(s): 

The time period from grant application to grant award is approximately six months. Grants are issued for an entire fiscal year, October 1 through September 30. Special maintenance projects are issued for two fiscal years. 

Dollar Amount(s) Available: 

Maximum allowable is up to 100 percent of cost, not to exceed the actual grant allocation

Source(s) of Funds: 

ORV Trail Improvement Fund

Authority: 

Part 811, 1994 PA 451, as amended

Contact(s): 

Parks and Recreation Division

Steve Kubisiak 517-373-1665, kubisiaks@michigan.gov 

Bruce Currier 517-241-0799,CurrierB1@michigan.gov

Fiscal Year 2013 Appropriation: 

$1,226,000, this amount includes funds allocated for ORV Law Enforcement grants.