Land Use

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NOVA Program Resources

The Nonhighway & Offroad Activities (NOVA) program was created in the mid-1970's to provide funding assistance to local and state agencies for the planning, acquisition, development and management of land and facilities for ATV use.

The biggest problem today is that NOVA funds are under attack by groups such as the Washington Trails Association (WTA). The WTA is working hard to get NOVA funds taken away and be used for non-ATV purposes. This is clearly against the NOVA goals.

To help you understand the history, intent and attacks against the NOVA program and funding, we've centralized some key documents.

Resources

Guidelines For All-Terrain Vehicle Funds (PDF)

The original guidelines document prepared in 1973 by the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation (IAC). This clearly states the goal and purpose of ATV funds.

NOVA Fuel Use Study Agreement (PDF)

Written in July 2000, this recommendation to the IAC shows support for a fuel use study by the IAC under specific conditions. The intent was to make sure a new fuel use study would be fairly conducted to meet the needs of all six user groups represented on the IAC-NOVA committee.

This agreement was approved by 5 of the 6 groups (ATV, Equestrian, Four Wheel Drive, Mountain Bicyclists and ORV/Motorcycle). The Hiker group, represented by the WTA, was the only group not approving the agreement.

2001 Legislative Position Paper (PDF)

A formal request to the legislature to stop moving forward with a new NOVA fuel use study and other redistribution of NOVA funds.

This request was made because the WTA specifically requested a new fuel use study, clearly in an attempt to divert NOVA funds away from their rightful use. With the exception of the WTA and the hiking community, there is absolutely no support from the rest of the trail users to pursue a new fuel use study using existing NOVA funds.

This paper was signed by 5 of the 6 NOVA representative groups. Again, the Hiker group, represented by the WTA, was the only group not signing this paper.

Editorial Cartoon (GIF)

A representation of the attacks against NOVA funds and its supportive user groups.