(Photo credit: Don Amador) Special Permit Program Legislation: A Promising Development in California Legislation establishing a special permit within the Department of Parks and Recreation so California residents may operate certain off-road motorcycles (OFMC) at sanctioned events is gaining traction in the California Assembly. Senate Bill (SB) 708 by Sen. Brian Jones has been…
(Photo credit: Tsao District Cooper) Chairman Bruce Westerman Touts the EXPLORE Act at MIC Fly-In Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-4th-Ark.), chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, addressed CEOs and senior-level representatives from Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and major powersports companies at the Motorcycle Industry Council’s (MIC) 2024 Fly-In. Rep. Westerman, an avid outdoorsman, proudly announced…
(Photo credit: Coalition for Recreational Trails) The CRT Award Winners Honored by Members of Congress On March 6, the Coalition for Recreational Trails (CRT) recognized 12 trail project recipients of its 2023 Tom Petri Annual Achievement Awards. The awards – honoring former U.S. Rep. Tom Petri (Wis.) – recognize outstanding use of Recreational Trails Program…
(Photo credit: Mike Passo, American Trails) The 2023 Tom Petri Recreational Trails Program Annual Achievement Award Winners Announced The Coalition for Recreational Trails (CRT) has selected 12 trail projects as recipients of its 2023 Tom Petri Recreational Trails Program Annual Achievement Awards. The awards – honoring former U.S. Rep. Tom Petri (Wis.) – recognize…
Connecticut Establishes Office of Outdoor Recreation On Jan. 11, Gov. Ned Lamont announced the creation of Connecticut’s new Office of Outdoor Industry and Experiences through an executive order. This marks the 21st state Office of Outdoor Recreation created across the country. “Our State Parks are among the best in the country and provide the setting…
(Photo credit: Mike Passo, American Trails) Legacy Restoration Fund Tackling Maintenance Backlog On Aug. 4, 2020, the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) was enacted into law, becoming the most significant investment in public lands in United States history. As a result, the GAOA established the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund and…
(Photo credit: Bureau of Economic Analysis) Outdoor Recreation Economy Has Record-Breaking Year On Nov. 17, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, released national and state economic data showcasing the record-breaking year the outdoor recreation economy had in 2022. The release illustrates the continuous growth of the outdoor recreation…
(Photo credit: Laura Feist, NOHVCC) 2023 NOHVCC Conference a Rousing Success The 2023 NOHVCC Annual Conference held in Midway, Utah, saw more than 120 OHV enthusiasts, NOHVCC State Partners, Land Managers, and OHV stakeholders in attendance. The mobile workshop once again kicked off the conference on Oct. 12, where 80 attendees could tour trails within…
American Trails is Soliciting Funding Applications for Legacy Trails Grant Program American Trails has partnered with the U.S. Forest Service in continuing the Legacy Trails Grant Program. This program is funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It supports partner trail projects that further the Legacy Roads and Trails criteria on National Forest System trails throughout the nine…
(Photo credit: Mike Passo, American Trails) ARRA Celebrates Big “Buy America” Win for RTP Recreationists received great news when the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced on August 16 that Build America, Buy America Act provisions would no longer apply to DOT projects that cost less than $500,000. The Recreational Trails Program (RTP), which is administered…