The NOVA Program helps develop and manage recreation opportunities for such activities as cross-country skiing, hiking, horseback riding, mountain bicycling, hunting, fishing, sightseeing, motorcycling, and riding all-terrain and four-wheel drive vehicles.

By statute, activities supported by the NOVA Program must be accessed via a "Nonhighway Road" (NHR). These are roads open to the public but not constructed with gasoline tax revenues. NHRs are found in National Forests and National Parks and include such popular routes as those leading to Paradise and Sunrise in Mt. Rainier National Park, Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park, and Windy Ridge in the Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. Across the state, NHRs are used by recreationists to access rivers and forest lands.

Funded Projects and Applications
A complete listing of current grant applications and all projects funded in this program can be accessed at our interactive maps feature-Grant Project Locations. Depending on the criteria selected, this mapping feature will provide specific location and detailed project information.

Eligible Grant Recipients

• Municipal subdivisions
• State agencies
• Tribal governments
• Federal agencies

Eligible Projects by Type
Planning, capital improvements, maintenance and operation, and off-road vehicle (ORV) education and enforcement.

Fund Allocation
Allocation chart (PDF)

Revenue Source
Funds that support the Recreation and Conservation Funding Board (RCO) NOVA grant program are from two sources. First, is a portion of the motor vehicle gasoline tax paid by users of ORVs and nonhighway roads. Second, is the amount paid for ORV use permits.