News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
For Release: May 18, 2006
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

RI TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE SOLICITING PROPOSALS FOR PROPERTIES FOR MOTORIZED

OFF-ROAD VEHICLE USE
PROVIDENCE - The RI Trails Advisory Committee, of which the Department of Environmental Management is a member, is soliciting proposals for properties to be acquired or developed for motorized recreational vehicle use. Proposals can include sale, recreational easement, or lease of suitable sites.

Robert Barry, Ph.D., a member of the Trails Advisory Committee and chairman of its motorized trails subcommittee, says, "There is a demand for safe, legal areas for motorized off-road riding in Rhode Island, and there currently is no public place in the state for riders to go." Barry, who is also vice president of the RI Off-Highway Vehicle Association, notes that the private group supports effective regulation of any proposed off-road public access, and says that the group advocates working in harmony with the environment and neighbors in utilizing any proposed public site.

The 16-member Trails Advisory Committee, made up of recreational trail users and representatives of DEM, the RI Department of Transportation, and the RI Department of Administration, has awarded $4.5 million in grants since the start of the program in 1993. Under an interagency cooperative agreement, DEM administers the grant program with funds made available by DOT and the Federal Highway Administration. The grants support trail development and improvement projects, as well as trail construction and maintenance equipment. To date, no grant funds have been awarded for off-road motorized vehicle trails in Rhode Island, although grants have been awarded for such trails in other states.

Robert Sutton, Chief of DEM's Office of Planning and Development, and Chairman of the Trails Advisory Committee, stresses that the solicitation of proposals in no way assures that such a trail will become a reality. "We want to explore possibilities; if there is interest from landowners. That's the first step."

Guidelines for proposals are available by contacting Richard Tierney of DEM's Division of Planning and Development at 222-2776 ext. 4310. Proposals should be sent by June 23 to the RI Trails Advisory Committee, c/o Richard Tierney at DEM/s Division of Planning and Development, 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908.