DCNR Awards Grants To Support ATV Trails In Clarion & Jefferson, Northumberland Counties

On December 11, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced the award of nearly $100,000 in grants to support two ATV trail riding projects.  The projects are in these counties--

-- Clarion and Jefferson -- Piney Rail Riders, $64,000, to prepare a feasibility study for the Piney Branch ATV Rail Corridor, which approximately 24 miles from Piney Township to Brookville Borough in Clarion and Jefferson counties.

-- Northumberland --  Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area Authority, $25,000, for construction of approximately a quarter mile of the Boyers Knob Trail and rehabilitation of approximately half a mile of the Boyers Knob Trail at AOAA in Coal, East Cameron, Mt. Carmel, West Cameron, and Zerbe townships.

“Using funds from ATV riders when they register their vehicles, these grants will help improve riding opportunities,” said Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said. “ATV trails draw visitors and can have a positive economic impact on nearby communities.”

DCNR’s ATV and Snowmobile grant program can help to buy land; develop plans and surveys; construct and maintain ATV trails; buy equipment; and conduct educational programs relating to ATV use.

The department can award grants two times each year to municipalities and organizations for development of publicly accessible ATV trails and facilities.

With a few limited exceptions, all ATVs in Pennsylvania must have a registration issued by DCNR. Pennsylvania has around 285,000 registered ATVs. The grants are administered by DCNR with funding provided from ATV registrations.

New ATV Grant Round

DCNR will open a new application round for All-Terrain Vehicle and Snowmobile Grants on January 22.  The deadline for applications is April 10. Click Here for more information.

For information on ATV riding, visit DCNR’s ATV Riding In State Forests webpage.

New CCGP Grant Round

To learn more about grant opportunities to support riparian buffer, trail and recreation projects, visit DCNR’s Community Conservation Grant Program webpage. A new grant round is opening January 22 and will close April 10.

For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website, Click Here to sign up for the Resource newsletter, Visit the Good Natured DCNR Blog,  Click Here for upcoming events, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.