Iowa Lawmakers Repay OHV Money

Iowa Lawmakers Repay OHV Money

Iowa lawmakers will finally repay the $775,000
they took from the Off-Highway Vehicle Fund
six years ago to balance the state budget.

Lawmakers raided the trails fund in 2002 when
they needed money to help make up a $9 million
shortfall in the state’s Medicaid program.

For years, Iowa riders have paid registration
fees on their off-highway motorcycles and ATV’s,
knowing that the money was earmarked for a
special fund to build and maintain OHV riding
areas.

The $775,000 will be available to make
improvements to the state’s eight OHV parks,
several of which have been closed because of
recent flood and rain damage.

“Off-Highway riders already paid their fair
share into the state’s budget through normal
taxes,” says Royce Wood, AMA government
affairs manager. “Raiding the trail fund meant
that trail riders had to pay twice to reduce the
state deficit, so it’s good to see that they are
getting the trail fund money back.
American Motorcyclist October 2008

More good Iowa news……….

Gypsum City OHV Park, Fort Dodge Iowa
opened July 8th, 2008. A new 300 acre park
can now be a play ground for Iowa’s off road
playing families.
Some 5-6 years in the making, organizers hope
the park will eventually grow to 1500 arces.
The park is built on mining land and will include
15 miles of trails, a motocross track and a practice
track for the beginning ATV riders.

The park came together through the effort of
government agencies, state lawmakers, non-
profit groups and four gypsum companies.





The park will be managed by the Wheelers club
of Webster County.

Local officials are hoping that the park will add
some $70,000 per weekend to the local economy.