DNR NEWSFAX

Indiana Department of Natural Resources
402 W. Washington St. W255 B
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2748

For immediate release: August 19, 2002

State receives federal funds for off highway vehicle recreation facility

The latest development in recreational trails is those designed for the off highway vehicle, called an OHV. And Indiana’s first state-owned OHV recreation area is about to move from the drawing board to the construction phase.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources announced today the receipt of $225,460 of federal funds for the Redbird OHV Area near Dugger in Sullivan County.

The Redbird OHV Area is expected to begin operation next spring with the first part of the facility available for use. The DNR plans to purchase additional land to increase the size of the Redbird area and, during the coming years, develop more trails and recreational facilities. The Redbird OHV Area will be maintained and operated by private OHV trail groups under a cooperative agreement with the DNR.

“I am excited about the progress we are now making to make the Redbird OHV Area available to the public,” said DNR Director John R. Goss. “The dollars for these and other Recreational Trails Program grants come from the pockets of off highway vehicle users. I’m happy that we are now going to make a terrific state-owned OHV facility accessible to the public.”

The 2002 federal grant brings the total funding received for acquisition and development of the Redbird OHV Area to $477,200. The money will be used to purchase additional coal mine land to add to property already owned by the state.

The funds will also be used to begin developments including the first of several planned riding trails, fencing, a gatehouse and parking lot, and restrooms. The Redbird OHV Area will be the first state-owned OHV riding facility in Indiana.

Each year a portion of federal taxes on gasoline purchased by OHV users are apportioned to the Recreational Trail Program by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Federal Highway Administration. The apportionment is based on fuel sales and use of OHVs. The federal tax dollars are then divided among the states for use in building and developing hiking trails, horseback trails, biking trails, off-highway vehicle trails and other multi-use trails.

Reporter contact: Bob Bronson, Division of Outdoor Recreation, (317) 232-4075

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