The state’s Off-Highway Vehicle program made major contributions to the Carson National Forest in their most recent grant cycle.

They announced $20,000 to the Town of Red River to lease a snow-grooming machine to accommodate snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in the Carson National Forest, $10,000 to the Red River Off-Road Coalition to lease equipment and purchase materials to repair the upper 3 miles of Pioneer Creek Road in the Questa Ranger District, and $5,000 to the New Mexico Off-Highway Alliance to purchase equipment and supplies to maintain the Elephant Rock single-track trail network in the Questa Ranger District.

Since 2011, the OHV Program has awarded more than $2.5 million in grants to land management agencies, non-profits and law enforcement agencies to address local areas of concern or improve existing OHV routes.

Previous grants have assisted with the reopening of such notable OHV routes as the Elephant Rock Trail in the Carson National Forest’s Questa Ranger District.

In addition, the OHV grants have assisted with education and safety-awareness campaigns throughout New Mexico. To date, thousands of hours have been dedicated by OHV grantees on public lands to keep New Mexicans of all ages safe.

Funds for these grants are user-generated revenues from OHV registrations collected in the state’s Trail Safety Fund and administered by the Department. No General Fund or Department of Game and Fish monies are used for OHV grants.

As a reminder, all OHVs that are operated on public lands in New Mexico must be registered. OHV users cannot ride on paved roads unless a local ordinance authorizes paved-road use. All OHV riders and passengers under the age of 18 must wear an approved helmet and eye protection, and operators under the age of 18 must carry proof of having completed OHV safety training.

More about OHV laws and rules can be found at B4Uride.com.