Yamaha OHV Access Initiative Contributed More Than $265,000 in 2010 Supporting Safe, Responsible Riding and Open, Sustainable Access

CYPRESS, Calif., Feb. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.'s, national OHV Access Initiative contributed more than $265,000 in GRANTs (Guaranteeing Responsible Access to our Nations Trails) in 2010.  The program, with a mission to promote safe, responsible riding and open, sustainable riding areas, has invested more than $1.5 million into these critical issues to date.

Through this program, Yamaha has directly and indirectly supported thousands of miles of trails, kept open countless riding areas, improved staging areas, built bridges over fish-baring streams and partnered with local riding communities across the country to improve the OHV experience for all.  A complete list of organizations that have received Yamaha GRANTs is available at: http://www.yamaha-motor.com/outdoor/OHV_Grants/OHV_Grants_Home_Recipients.aspx

"Yamaha is proud of the hard work accomplished through the support of the OHV Access Initiative, but there is always more to be done," said Steve Nessl, Yamaha ATV/SxS marketing manager.  "Riding clubs and land managers across the country have put the resources of the OHV Access Initiative to good use, and we continue to encourage more of them to look to Yamaha for support."

Yamaha has reaffirmed its commitment to the OHV community in 2011 and is now actively seeking qualified projects from nonprofit or tax exempt organizations at local, state and federal levels.

"We have seen the effects of the economic downturn on the local level.  It is a challenge for OHV clubs and riding areas to maintain their trails and take on new projects, but we are here to help," Nessl said.  "If you work for a national or state forest, or are a member of a local riding club, we encourage you to check out the guidelines, application and examples on our website, and consider how you might incorporate an OHV Access Initiative GRANT as you maintain and improve your riding area."

The 2011 OHV Access Initiative GRANT schedule, application form and guidelines are available at www.yamaha-motor.com/ohvaccess.  The quarterly review calendar for 2011 is as follows:

The final Yamaha OHV Access Initiative GRANTs for 2010 included $102,000 awarded to seven organizations for projects such as trail construction and maintenance, mapping, and education programs promoting awareness of safe and responsible riding practices.  GRANTs were awarded to the following organizations in the third and fourth quarter of 2010:

• High Mountain ATV Association, Wallace, Idaho
• Forest Grove District, Oregon Department of Forestry, Forest Grove, Ore.
• Northumberland County, Anthracite Adventure Recreation Area, Sunbury, Penn.
• San Bernardino National Forest Association, Fawnskin, Calif.
• Stewards of the Sierra National Forest, North Folk, Calif.
• Tillamook District, Oregon Department of Forestry, Tillamook, Ore.
• Tonto Recreation Alliance (TRAL), Tempe, Ariz.

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.

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