Trail association receiving funding boost

The Yarmouth County Trail Development Association is receiving $50,000 to develop an 87-kilometre multi-use trail in Yarmouth County.

Yarmouth’s is among 35 projects receiving financial support from the Off-highway Infrastructure Fund.

Expenditures of $743,200 from the fund will be used to develop, expand and improve trails across the province that allow snowmobile and other off-highway vehicle use.

"In a little over a year, more than $1,540,000 has been distributed from the Off-highway Infrastructure Fund," Laurie Cranton, chair of Nova Scotia's Off-highway Vehicle Ministerial Advisory Committee.

Each year when off-highway vehicle owners register their vehicles, they contribute $40 to the infrastructure fund. In order to receive infrastructure fund support, applicants must also contribute at least 50 per cent of a project's cost.

"The infrastructure fund is financed by OHV users for OHV users, but all projects are cost-shared," said Cranton. "That means that trail development groups, OHV and snowmobile clubs and other concerned citizens' groups have contributed an impressive $3 million to develop accessible trails in Nova Scotia in just over a year."

To be eligible for infrastructure fund support, projects must meet certain conditions, like avoiding vulnerable areas and contributing to environmental protection, making the most of existing infrastructure, and encouraging shared use where appropriate.

The ministerial advisory committee -- which includes representatives from a cross-section of groups, including off-highway vehicle riders, landowners, the environmental community, safety and training, industry, and enforcement -- developed and oversees the process that organizations must use to qualify. The committee refers recommended projects to the two ministers who have final approval over the infrastructure fund allocations.