Trail Grants Approved for Nebraska ATV and Dirtbike Projects
By Dan Nitzel, NOHVA Business Manager
January 25, 2007
Today is an historic day for recreational ATV and dirtbike riders in Nebraska! Grants for three projects here in Nebraska were approved by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission totaling $388,800.00. This day marks the beginning of a new era for recreational ATV and dirtbike riders in our state. It shows that government agencies are responding to the demands of the public. These demands were to find, design, build and operate public parks, trails and tracks in our state.
Initial approval of funds for projects is proposed to the Game and Parks Commission via the Nebraska Recreational Trails Plan (RTP) committee. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Board of Commissioners met on Jan. 25, 2007 at their regular Commission meeting and approved the recommendations of the RTP Committee. The RTP fund represents a refund of the Federal gasoline tax that Nebraska’s off road users pay. Federal gasoline taxes collected from ATV, dirtbike, snowmobile and other off highway vehicles are refunded back to Nebraska from the Federal Highway Administration via the Recreational Trails Program. The Nebraska RTP committee designates funding for various new trails in our state, and approved funding the three projects in November.
The following projects were funded today.
Deshler-Hebron OHV Park – While a final name has not yet been determined, funding has been approved for phase one of a new ATV and dirtbike park near Hebron Nebraska. The new project, a cooperative effort between the cities of Deshler and Hebron will be about 200+ acres. The land is situated on hilly terrain. The new park will feature multiple trails, an ATV drag strip, a motocross track and a kids only track. The parking area will feature spots for RV campers. The total project is expected to eventually cost over $300,000. Phase one funding for the project is $160,000.00. The Little Blue OHV Chapter of NOHVA was organized in the Deshler and Hebron areas of south central Nebraska to support a new public ATV and dirtbike park. Work on the park is expected to begin this year. While most of the funding is supplies via the Recreational Trails Program, funding is also supplied by the cities of Deshler and Hebron, local economic development funds, the Little Blue OHV Club, the Nebraska Off Highway Vehicle Association and other sources.
Harlan County Reservoir – Major upgrades to an existing little used ATV and dirtbike area located south east of the Harlan County Reservoir near Republican City Nebraska has been approved.
Motocross Complex in Lincoln – A request for an additional $150,000 by the Lower Platte South NRD for funds to construct a motocross/BMX track at Ethel S. Abbott Sports Complex has approved. The Abbott Motocross Track is a project sponsored by the Lincoln Sports Foundation, Lancaster County, Lower Platte South Natural Resources District and the Ethel S. Abbott Charitable Foundation. The total cost of the track is estimated to cost $3,528,000. Last year, $255,000 was approved for funding the project. So far, none of the funding from last year has been spent and there is some concern when the Sports Complex is willing to begin the project. The track will be approximately 1.5 miles in length and contain parking for spectators and participants, a concession/restroom building, a maintenance building, bleachers for spectators, a scoring tower, pit area and will be placed inside an 8 foot earthen berm to barrier sound from disrupting those living around the track. The 8-foot earthen berm will be planted with native plants, grasses and flowers to give it a natural setting. The date when construction is to begin on the project is not know at this time.
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