INSIDE THE RECREATIONAL TRAILS GRANT PROGRAM
Reprinted from MINNESOTA OFF-ROAD MAGAZINE
In the coming year, Minnesota will receive 3.5 percent of the total RTP funding of $16,048,505.00 for the year, placing the state 8th overall with funding for trails totalling $602,807. $400,000 of this fund could be spent on trails for motorized recreation, but only if the grant requests are filed.
Formerly known as the Simms Act, the Recreational Trails Program represents a portion of the revenue received by the Federal Highway Trust Fund from federal motor fuel excise tax paid by users of off-road recreational vehicles such as snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, off-road motorcycles, and off-road light trucks which are not operated on public highways. A new assistance program recently passed into law as part of the omnibus transportation bill, it provides funds earmarked from those off-road gas taxes to the States to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both nonmotorized and motorized recreational trail uses, such as hiking, bicycling, in-line skating, equestrian use, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, off-road motorcycling, all-terrain vehicle riding, four-wheel driving, or using other off-road motorized vehicles.
The best news is Congress has increased the program significantly from the original Simms funding, providing $270 million over the next six years to trails projects in 28 states.
ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE
The funds are not spent automatically, but in answer to grant proposals. Last
year, there were no proposals for the limited amount available then. With the
increase, it is vital that grant applications be completed by motorized users
like ATV clubs or some of the money earmarked for motorized uses might end up
being diverted to other, non-motorized trails.
HOW IT WORKS
Each state in the RTP program administers its own system, usually through a
State resource or park agency. Each State develops its own procedures to
solicit and select projects for funding. Here in Minnesota, the Minnesota
Recreational Trail Users Association (MRTUA) is the designated organization
for handling grant decisions under the program.
The Recreational Trails Program is authorized for $30 million in 1998, $40
million in 1999, and $50 million annually for 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003. For
1999, Minnesota will receive 3.5 percent of the total funding of
$16,048,505.00 for the year, placing the state 8th overall with funding
totalling $602,807. The highway administration may use only up to 1 1/2
percent of the funds for program administration and trail related research and
technical assistance and the remainder of the funds are distributed to the
States. The formula used now calls for half of the funds to be distributed
equally among all States and the other half to be distributed in proportion to
the amount of off-road recreational fuel use in each State.
HAVE YOU GOT A GRANT USE THAT QUALIFIES?
Once granted and assigned to the state, Recreational Trails Program funds may
be used for a wide variety off trail-related projects like maintenance and
restoration of existing trails, development and rehabilitation of trailside
and trailhead facilities and trail linkages.
Some state have allowed purchase and lease of trail construction and
maintenance equipment under the program, which is permitted under the federal
rules, but Minnesota grants have preferred on-the-ground projects that are
harder to finance the way capital equipment can be.
Other uses listed include a big one for Minnesota ATV clubs - construction of
new trails - plus acquisition of easements or property for trails. State
administrative costs related to this program are limited to 7 percent of a
state's funds and operation of educational programs to promote safety and
environmental protection related to trails are limited to 5 percent of a
State's funds.
MOTORIZED MONEY ... NOT ALL MOTORIZED TRAILS
The money is further earmarked for specific kinds of trail. Each state must
use 30 percent of its funds for motorized trail uses, 30 percent for
nonmotorized trail uses, and 40 percent for multiple trail uses. Diverse
motorized projects (such as snowmobile and ATV) or diverse nonmotorized
projects (such as pedestrian and equestrian) may satisfy two of these
categories at the same time.
States are encouraged to consider projects that benefit both motorized and
nonmotorized users, such as common trailhead facilities and many states
selection criteria give priority to projects that benefit multiple trail uses.
YOU CAN’T DO IT ALL
Ineligible uses include property condemnation (eminent domain), new trails
for motorized use on National Forest or Bureau of Land Management lands unless
the project is consistent with resource management plans and facilitating
motorized access on otherwise nonmotorized trails.
Since the funds are intended for recreational trails, they may not be used to
improve roads for general passenger vehicle use or to provide shoulder or
sidewalks along roads.
Projects to just develop trail plans generally are not eligible unless the
plan is a relatively small part of an overall on-the-ground trail project.
States may make grants to private organizations, or to municipal, county,
state, or federal government agencies. Projects may be on public or private
land, but projects on private land must provide assurances of public access.
States are encouraged to use qualified youth conservation or service corps
for construction and maintenance of recreational trails under this program.
HOW TO GET YOUR PROJECT SELECTED
Project amounts vary, but most range in value from $2,000 to $30,000. Some
states have set minimum or maximum allowable dollar values but this has not
happened in Minnesota so far.
In general, the maximum federal share for each project from the Recreational
Trails Program is 80 percent. Another federal agency project sponsor may
provide additional federal funds, provided the total federal share does not
exceed 95 percent. The non-federal match must come from project sponsors or
other fund sources. Funds from any other federal program may be used for the
non-federal match if the project also is eligible under the other program.
Project sponsors need to develop a workable project, get public support and
find other funding sources for the matching part of the grant program. Some
state or local government agencies may provide some matching funds, but the
project sponsor organization can count on having to provide most or all of the
match. Donations of materials can count against the match and volunteer labor
may be permitted to count in the match amount if MRTUA selects this policy
when it meets in 1999.
The chances of getting approval for a project are increased if it involves
youth conservation or service corps, has a good project design and considers
environmental impacts. One important detail: Permits needed to complete your
project must be obtained prior to submitting a proposal.
If a project application is approved, your group need to be ready to start.
Authorities may withdraw project approval if a sponsor does not begin work
within a reasonable time frame.
DO THE WORK, THEN GET PAID
Usually, project payment takes place on a reimbursement basis with the project
sponsor submitting vouchers for work actually completed to the State for
payment. Usually, reimbursement is not permitted for work that takes place
prior to project approval, but working capital advances and some project
development costs may be permitted on a case-by-case basis.
If you have a trail project proposal, first contact ARMCA’s MRTUA representative, Jim Cox, e-mail jimcox@visi.com, to find out the program requirements and criteria for project selection. MRTUA will be devoting most of its time to reviewing and selecting worthy projects and it is time for the motorized trail community to step up and claim the funding so many have fought long and hard for in the nation’s capitol.