Yamaha OHV Access Initiative GRANTs $1.3 Million in Two Years Supporting Safe, Responsible Riding and Open, Sustainable Access

CYPRESS, Calif., Feb. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., through its OHV (off-highway vehicle) Access Initiative GRANTed (Guaranteeing Responsible Access to our Nation's Trails) more than $80,000 in the fourth quarter of 2009.  This brings the program's year-end funding total to more than $685,000 and two-year total to more than $1.3 million in support of the OHV community nationwide.

"Yamaha is proud of the OHV Access Initiative's success reaching riding areas across the country and promoting safe, responsible recreation," said Steve Nessl, Yamaha's ATV/SxS Group marketing manager.  "While we've enjoyed great progress the past two years, we're most excited about the future of the program as we meet the continuing and expanding need for OHV support.  Yamaha's OHV Access Initiative will continue to provide essential resources to OHV riding clubs, state associations and public land management agencies at local, state and federal levels for years to come."

The 2010 Access Initiative GRANT schedule is now available at www.yamaha-motor.com/ohvaccess along with the application form and guidelines.  The GRANT submission deadlines are:

• Q1 Submission Deadline: March 31, 2010
• Q2 Submission Deadline: June 30, 2010
• Q3 Submission Deadline: September 30, 2010
• Q4 Submission Deadline: December 3, 2010

In the final quarter of 2009 Yamaha funded 11 organizations GRANTing more than $80,000 in cash and equipment.  GRANTs went to support the construction, mapping, maintenance and insurance of OHV riding areas and to create awareness of safe and responsible riding practices.  

The Yamaha OHV Access Initiative review committee awarded GRANTs to the following organizations in the fourth quarter:

• California Trail Users Coalition
• Coronado National Forest, Arizona
• Friends of Florida State Forest
• Jackson County Forestry & Parks Department, Wisconsin
• Lost Rivers Economic Development, Recreational Trails Committee, Idaho
• Nebraska Off Highway Vehicle Association
• North Country ATV Association/NYTRO of Eastern New York
• Ride with Respect, Utah
• San Juan Trail Riders, Colorado
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources: Lafayette County
• Oregon Department of Forestry: Tillamook District

About the Yamaha OHV Access Initiative

Each quarter, Yamaha accepts applications from non-profit or tax-exempt organizations including OHV riding clubs and associations, national, state and local public land use agencies and other members of the OHV community in the United States.  A committee then reviews each application and awards GRANTs to deserving projects.

Examples of appropriate projects for GRANTs include, but are not limited to:

• Trail development, restoration and maintenance
• Trail signage and map production
• Staging area construction, renovation and maintenance
• Land stewardship, trail safety and education

Updated guidelines, an application form and information on the OHV Access Initiative are available at: www.yamaha-motor.com/ohvaccess. For specific questions about the OHV Access Initiative, call Yamaha's dedicated OHV Access Initiative Hotline at 1-877-OHV-TRAIL (877-648-8724), email [email protected] or write to: Yamaha OHV Access Initiative Review Committee, 6555 Katella Avenue, Cypress, CA 90630-5101.

About Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.

Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., (YMUS), a leader in the motorsports market, makes the toughest, most capable and versatile ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles. The company's ever-expanding product offerings also include motorcycles, outboard motors, personal watercraft, snowmobiles, boats, outdoor power equipment, race kart engines, accessories, apparel and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of dealers in the United States.

Headquartered in Cypress, Calif., since its incorporation in 1976, Yamaha also has facilities in Wisconsin and Georgia, as well as factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia. For more information on Yamaha, visit www.yamaha-motor.com.

SxS Vehicles are recommended for use only by licensed drivers age 16 years and older.

ATVs with engines of 70cc to 90cc are recommended for use only by riders age 12 years and older, and always with adult supervision.

ATVs with engines greater than 90cc are recommended for use only by riders age 16 years and older.

SOURCE Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.