CYPRESS, Calif. – October 15, 2008 – In its largest quarter of funding to date, Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., through its popular OHV Access Initiative, donated more than $200,000 in cash and equipment to projects supporting safe, responsible riding and sustainable, open riding areas across the country. Sixteen organizations from 11 states received GRANT (Guaranteeing ResponsibleAccess to our Nation’s Trails) funds for projects including:
- Trail mapping equipment and staffing
- Legislative lobbying efforts
- Responsible OHV rider education and outreach campaigns
- Signage and building materials for trail heads
- Campground supplies
- Construction equipment for trail development
Yamaha continues to support the greater OHV communityincluding public land managers, private landowners, riding clubs and associations in their efforts to produce and maintain areas for offhighway vehicle use. So far this year Yamaha has awarded nearly $600,000 in GRANTs.
“The growing response to, and need for, the Yamaha OHV Access Initiative is indicative of the desire for enthusiasts and advocates to enjoy OHVs in a safe and sustainable manner,” said Mike Martinez, Yamaha’s general manager of ATV and Side-by-Side (SxS) Operations. “In light of changing national policy on OHV access, the community will have a continuing need for our GRANTs to directly fund projects that help maintain access to existing trails and responsibly create new opportunities for OHV use.”
The Yamaha OHV Access Initiative review committee will award GRANTs to the following organizations:
- Bell County Fiscal Court – Bell County, Kentucky
- Black River Valley Riders ATV Club – Jefferson County, New York
- Breathitt County Fiscal Court – Jackson, Kentucky
- Gem State ATV – Idaho
- Missouri Dirt Riders – Defiance, Missouri
- Nebraska OHV Association – Nebraska
- North Country ATV – Saratoga County, New York
- Off Road Business Association – California
- Pilgrim Sands Trail Riders – Hanson, Massachusetts
- Richfield Township – St. Helen, Michigan
- Ride Safe Virginia – Dinwiddie County, Virginia
- Ride With Respect – Moab, Utah
- San Juan Trail Riders – Durango, Colorado
- Tread Lightly – Utah
- Tug Hill Wheelers – Carthage, New York
- Western Slope ATV – Grand Junction, Colorado
“We are just starting to get the progress reports from the first applicants receiving GRANTs at the beginning of the year and it is very encouraging to see what the awardees have been able to accomplish,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s ATV/SxS marketing manager. “From these early results it is clear that the OHV Access Initiative is performing its mission.”