HARRISBURG, Pa. - The Mercer County Planning Commission received grant funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to study the possibility of ATV trails in the county.

According to a press release, the Mercer County Planning Commission received $124,600 for a trail study to explore the feasibility of ATV trails in the county.

This is part of $1.4 million in grants through the commonwealth's ATV Management Restricted Account. DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn is quoted in a press release saying these grants expand safe, high-quality ATV opportunities in the commonwealth.

"We are eager to see the impact of these projects and we urge organizations and municipalities to apply for the next grant round before the March 31 deadline," Dunn said.

The application period for the next round of grants opens February 2 and closes March 31.

With a few limited exceptions, all ATVs and snowmobiles in Pennsylvania must have a registration issued by DCNR. Pennsylvania has nearly 288,000 active ATVs registered.