Off-highway vehicle grants-in-aid (GIA)

First authorized in 1984, Minnesota's Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Trails Assistance Program—popularly known as the Grant-in-Aid (GIA) Program—is a cost-share program to facilitate development and maintenance of trails for use by All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), Off-Highway Motorcycles (OHMs), and Off-Road Vehicles (ORVs) at the initiative of enthusiast groups or clubs, with the support and participation of local government sponsors. It is similar to programs for snowmobiles and cross-country skiing.

Funding comes from vehicle registration fees collected, trail pass fees, plus a percentage of the state user-paid gas tax for each of the motorized groups. The percentage of gas tax varies for each user group and is established by state law (Minn. Stat. sec. 296A.18).

How it works

Off-highway vehicle organizations apply through counties, cities or townships. All aspects of OHV trail development and maintenance are eligible to receive GIA funds, including project administration, site planning, trail improvements, land acquisition for trail development, and trail maintenance. See the Grants-in-aid manual and appendices (below) for more information.

Application forms for maintenance of existing trails are due in the DNR Parks and Trails Area Supervisor's office by November 30 annually. New trail proposals are accepted at any time. Application forms and other program forms are available below and from Parks and Trails Area Supervisors.

Contacts

For specific trail information in your area, please contact your local DNR Parks and Trails Area Supervisor This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it.

Or:

MN DNR, Parks and Trails
500 Lafayette Road, Box 52
St. Paul, MN 55155-4052
Tel. 651-259-5644

Grant-in-aid trail manual and appendices

OHV GIA Manual This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. (< 1 MB)
Appendices A - F This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. (2.3 MB)
Appendix A: Definitions and Acronyms This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. (< 1 MB)
Appendix B: Statutes This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. (< 1 MB)
Appendix C: New Projects and Environmental Review This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. (< 1 MB)
Appendix D: Parks and Trails Grants Contacts This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. (< 1 MB)
Appendix E: Examples of Forms This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. (< 1 MB)
Appendix F: Trail Design, Signing, Visitor Information, and Maintenance This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. (1.4 MB)
Allowable Costs This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. (< 1 MB; updated 04/09)

OHV GIA forms

These forms have been provided in multiple formats. Contact your local Parks and Trails Area Supervisor for hard copies of these forms.

FORM 1: Funding Application - PDF or Word
To be submitted annually with the Project Cost Worksheet

FORM 2: Project Cost Worksheet - PDF or Excel
To be submitted with the Funding Application or with the New Project Application as the 'budget' for the activity

Combined Funding Application and Project Cost Worksheet - Word
FORMS 1 & 2 combined for ease of printing

FORM 3: New Project Application - Word or PDF
May be submitted at any time with the Project Cost Worksheet

Combined New Project Application and Project Cost Worksheet - Word
FORMS 2 & 3 combined for ease of printing

FORM 4: Example of Grant Agreement sent from DNR to Sponsor - PDF
For reference only

FORM 5: Request for Reimbursement - PDF or Word

FORM 6: Work Log - PDF or Word

FORM 7: Expenditures and Outcomes - PDF
For reference only

Related DNR and non-DNR programs