Provides financial aid to government agencies, not-for-profit organizations and other eligible groups or individuals to develop, operate, maintain, and acquire land for off-highway vehicle parks and trails and can be used to help restore areas damaged by unauthorized OHV use. Facility must be open and accessible to the public.

N/A

Funding for the program is derived from revenue generated from fees collected pursuant to the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/3-821).

20 ILCS 805/805-70 20 ILCS 862/ (Recreational Trails of Illinois Act) 20 ILCS 862/15 625 ILCS 5/2-119 (fund source)

Acquisition, development and maintenance of public off-highway vehicle riding areas by eligible grantees through competitive reimbursement grants.

Yes

1. The purpose of this Agreement is to enable IDNR to provide financial assistance to the Grantee to develop, operate, maintain and acquire land for off-highway vehicle parks, trailside facilities and trails that are open and accessible to the public in Illinois, as well as maintenance and repair of the parks, trails and trailside facilities. 2. Grantee is solely responsible for the design and implementation of the project described in its Project Application, the terms and conditions of which are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this Agreement. Failure by the Grantee to comply with any of the Agreement terms or the terms of the Project Application shall be cause for the suspension of all grant assistance obligations thereunder and may result in debarment for two grant cycles. 3. The Grantee agrees to implement and complete the approved project pursuant to the time schedule and plans set forth in the Project Application. Failure to render satisfactory progress or to complete the approved project to the satisfaction of IDNR per the terms of this Agreement is cause for suspension and/or termination of all obligations of IDNR under this Agreement. 4. Environmental and Cultural Resource Compliance: Approved grant project construction shall not commence and no payment shall be made under this grant until the Grantee, as set forth under IDNR’s Comprehensive Environmental Review Process (CERP), has initiated and completed all necessary project review and consultation with IDNR as required by section 11 of the Endangered Species Protection Act, 520 ILCS 10/11; section 17 of the Illinois Natural Areas Preservation Act, 525 ILCS 30/17; the mitigation or compensation determinations required by the Interagency Wetland Policy Act, 20 ILCS 830/1 et seq.; and the environmental and economic impact determination required by the Historic Preservation Act, 20 ILCS 3420/4. 5. The Grantee shall provide to the IDNR for approval all land appraisals done per this Agreement PRIOR to commencing the project land acquisition. 6. Project Signage & Publicity: Grantee agrees to post an “Off-Highway Vehicle” (OHV) grant acknowledgment sign at the grant-assisted site specified herein. At a minimum, the sign must include the following wording: THIS SITE RECEIVED FUNDING ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE GRANT PROGRAM 7. The Grantee is required to file quarterly status reports on the grant project describing the progress of the program, project, or use and expenditure of the grant funds related thereto, if the grant amount is over $25,000.00 (30 ILCS 705/4(b)(2)). 8. The Grantee shall be responsible for developing the project site in general accordance with the site development plan approved by IDNR, and made a part of Grantee’s application. Grantee shall make all development plans and specifications available for review by IDNR upon request. 9. It is agreed and understood by the Grantee that an IDNR representative shall have access to the project site to make periodic inspections as work progresses. It is further agreed and understood by the Grantee that IDNR reserves the right to inspect the completed project prior to project acceptance and grant reimbursement to the Grantee.

Government Organizations; Nonprofit Organizations; For-Profit Organizations; Individuals;

OHV funding is available to: Units of local government, private OHV clubs or organizations in Illinois having not-for-profit incorporation status, business entities and private individuals. Entities other than governmental bodies seeking financial assistance through the grant program must also possess minimum liability insurance coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence on the facilities to be operated under the scope of the proposed project application.

N/A

Project Grants

Quality of Natural, Cultural, and Environmental Resources

N/A

Completed applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on May 15, 2023. Funding decisions may take up to 1 year.

IDNR will publish pre-application coordination opportunities on our website: https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/grants/Pages/OffHighwayVehicleProgram.aspx

Evaluation Criteria The following criteria will be used by the Department for evaluating and ranking grant applications. Each criterion indicates the weighting that will be given to that criterion. 1. Project need (20%): • Trail significance - the estimated users that will be attracted to the trail/trail site; will it have potential for interstate, State, regional or local importance • Geographic distribution – will the proposed project, considering the trail type and proposed users of the trail or site, be the first in the county, area, or region • Population served. 2. Project concept and quality (55%): • Project type: i. acquisition of land for new trails/trail sites; ii. initial development of trails/trail sites; iii. additional development of existing trails/trail sites; and iv. renovation of existing trails/trail facilities; • Trail length; • Diversity of trail use; • Scenic quality of the trail corridor or the trail site; • Availability of necessary amenities/support facilities, such as drinking water, restrooms and parking; and • Project sponsor maintenance capabilities and projects having the most long-term, stable management potential. 3. Environmental suitability of the proposed trail/trail site (5%) 4. Local support for the proposed project (5%) 5. Local financial contribution (5%) 6. Overall program suitability (5%) 7. Applicant/Application factors (5%): Consideration is given to the applicant's past performance in completing Department grant projects or unresolved project violations, maintenance history of existing sites, and administrative considerations (such as application completeness and response time during the application process). Review and Selection Process All applications received on time and containing the information required by the application packet will be reviewed by IDNR staff. Incomplete applications will be discussed with the applicant for completion and resubmittal. Submitting an incomplete application does not extend the application deadline beyond the designated deadline date. All complete, eligible and timely applications will be reviewed for evaluation and recommendation to the IDNR Director, who makes the final decision on awards. Merit-based Review Appeals Process In compliance with GATA, applicants have the right to appeal the evaluation process but not the evaluation score. More information is available at: http://ilga.gov/commission/JCAR/admincode/044/044070000D03500R.html

Each applicant will be notified by letter and/or email of the Director’s decision regarding whether their application will be recommended for awarding. The full process can take up to 1 year.

Award cycle dates may vary

Funding decisions may take up to 1 year

Appeals pursuant To 44 Il Admin Code 7000.350

No cost extensions are allowed without prior DNR approval

Grants are up to 100% reimbursement. No advance payments. No maximum dollar amount.

Types of Eligible OHV Projects • Land acquisition of property from willing sellers in fee simple title, permanent easements, or long-term leases, for OHV trails and parks, including approved appraisal costs, title insurance, acquisition costs and archeological survey costs (if necessary). • Construction, rehabilitation, maintenance, and necessary design services for OHV trails/routes and scramble areas including site preparation work, signage, fencing, bridges, trail grooming equipment, etc. and associated support facilities including parking, shelters, restrooms, potable and non-potable water supply, lighting, and other related amenities deemed necessary. • Restoration of areas damaged by OHV usage. • Rider education and safety programs. • Cost of facility security (fencing, lighting, etc. BUT not security or site staff). Ineligible OHV Projects Off-Highway Vehicle Recreational Trails Program funds may NOT be used for any of the following: • Land acquisition through eminent domain. • Construction of OHV trails and areas on IDNR owned and managed lands and on U.S. Forest Service lands designated as wilderness or currently not authorized for such use by an approved management plan. • Any project which, whole or in part, that will not be open to the general public for OHV use.

The grantee is required to submit the following reports: Periodic Performance Report (PPR) that describes the progress of the project, and the Periodic Financial Report (PFR) that documents expenditure of funds in accordance with the budget line items as detailed in the approved Uniform Budget.

Audit requirements per JCAR Title 44 Illinois Administrative Code 7000.90

All financial records on approved projects must be maintained and retained, in accordance with State laws, by the project sponsor for possible State audit after final reimbursement payment is made by the Department.

422-11-1153

TBD

The funds available for the OHV grant program vary on an annual basis based on the revenues received the previous fiscal year. OHV provides up-to 100% reimbursement funding assistance on approved projects. No maximum grant award amount is set for development or acquisition projects.

The OHV grant program can provide up to 100% funding reimbursement assistance on total eligible and approved project costs.

JCAR: TITLE 17: CONSERVATION CHAPTER I: DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES SUBCHAPTER g: GRANTS PART 3045 OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE RECREATIONAL TRAILS GRANT PROGRAM

N/A

One Natural Resources Way Springfield, IL 62702

https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/grants/Pages/OffHighwayVehicleProgram.aspx

Recreational Trails Program (RTP), Bike Path Program (BIKE)

• Land acquisition of property from willing sellers in fee simple title, permanent easements, or long-term leases, for OHV trails and parks, including approved appraisal costs, title insurance, closing costs and property survey costs, if necessary • Construction, rehabilitation, maintenance and necessary design services for OHV trails/routes and scramble areas including site preparation work, signage, fencing, bridges, trail grooming equipment, etc. and associated support facilities including parking, shelters, restrooms, potable and non-potable water supply, lighting, and other related amenities deemed necessary • Restoration of areas damaged by OHV usage • Rider education and safety programs • Cost of facility security (fencing, lighting, etc. BUT not security or site staff)

3/15/2023

FY 2019 : $1,962,500
FY 2020 : $200,000
FY 2021 : $350,000
FY 2023 : $1,000,000