AOAA gets three state grants for facility improvements
COAL TOWNSHIP – The Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area near Shamokin is getting nearly a combined $150,000 through three state grants to improve the recreational area.
The grants come via the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), which announced today $1.4 Miillion in grants for ATV and snowmobile facilities and trails in the state.
“Thousands of avid ATV and snowmobile riding enthusiasts recreate in Pennsylvania annually and DCNR supports projects that improve upon and expand these types of motorized recreation opportunities across the Commonwealth,” DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said. “The fall grant round opened earlier this month and we encourage municipalities and organizations to apply before the September 29 deadline.”
AOAA was awarded three separate grants in this grant round, including:
- $58,600 to construct an equipment storage building,
- $82,100 to purchase equipment to maintain and construct approximately 400 miles of ATV trails,
- and $31,000 to rehabilitate approximately 5 miles of the 400-mile ATV trail system and storm-water management measures at the AOAA facility in Northumberland County.
DCNR can award grants two times each year to municipalities and organizations for development of publicly accessible ATV and snowmobile trails and facilities.
The fall ATV and Snowmobile grant round opened on August 1 and closes on September 29.
Grants are open to municipalities, non-profit and for-profit organizations.
Proposed snowmobile and ATV related projects eligible for DCNR grants include planning, land acquisition, development, rehabilitation, maintenance, purchase of equipment for maintenance and construction, and development of educational programs related to snowmobile and ATV trails and facilities.
No match is required for this funding; however, applications providing matching funding will be given additional consideration.
With a few limited exceptions, all snowmobiles and ATVs in Pennsylvania must have a registration issued by DCNR. Statewide, Pennsylvania has nearly 35,000 active snowmobiles registered, and more than 286,000 ATVs. Grants are administered by DCNR with funding provided from registrations.
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