Recreational Trails Program

Recreational Trails Program

The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) provides funds to the States to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for nonmotorized and motorized recreational trail uses. - Federal Highway Administration

Program Goal: Encourage all kinds of trail enthusiasts to work

together to provide a wide variety of recreational trail opportunities

Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act

2012200519981991

ISTEA

History

TEA-21

Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century

SAFTEA-LU

Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users

2014

MAP-21

Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century

1990 Congress makes major shift in surface transportation policy, now pedestrian and bicycle facilities are eligible for federal-aid highway funds.

Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2014

U.S. Highway Trust Fund

A transportation fund which receives money from a federal fuel tax of 18.3 cents per gallon on gasoline and 24.4 cents per gallon of diesel fuel and related excise taxes

RTP operates on the “user-pay/user-benefit” philosophy

50%Distributed

Equally

50%Based Upon Fuel Use in Each State

Since 1991, the Recreational Trails Program has received over $915 million in federal funding

19931994

19951996

19971998

19992000

20012002

20032004

20052006

20072008

20092010

20112012

20132014

0

500000

1000000

1500000

2000000

2500000

RTP Federal ApportionmentState of Georgia

1993 - 2014

Year

Millions o

f D

ollars

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

-99

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

-06

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

-14

$-

$500,000.00

$1,000,000.00

$1,500,000.00

$2,000,000.00

$2,500,000.00

$3,000,000.00

$3,500,000.00

$4,000,000.00

RTP Funding Cycles

$ 3,442,026 = ~40 grant awards

• Federal Highway Administration provides funds and guidance

• Each state administers its own program• Georgia Department of Natural Resources State Parks & Historic Sites

Georgia Trails & Greenways Advisory Committee

HIKERSGeorgia Appalachian Trail Club - Nancy Lovingood Second position vacant

BICYCLISTSSouthern Off-Road Bicycle Association - Keith Owen Second position vacant

OFF-ROAD VEHICLE USERSSouthern Four Wheel Drive Association - Dave Logan Georgia Recreational Trail Riders Association - Bruce Dreher

EQUESTRIANSChattahoochee Trail Horse Association - Debbie Crowe Back Country Horsemen of North Georgia - Randy Brown

WATER TRAIL USERSGeorgia Canoe Association - Dan MacIntyre

GREENWAYS USERSLumpkin County - Carlton Harris Fulton County - Greta DeMayo Third position vacant

August• Pre

App Wkshp

October• Apps

on Website

November• Apps

Due

March• Award

s announced

Georgia Recreational Trails Program Grant Cycle

Eligibility

• Who is eligible to apply for RTP funds?• city governments• county governments• authorized commissions• federal agencies• state agencies

30%

• Motorized Recreational Trail Use

30%

• Nonmotorized Recreational Trail Use (Single-use)

40%

• Diverse Recreational Trail Use (Multi-use)

Trails Education

The RTP legislation permits Georgia to use five percent of its RTP funds for educational efforts.

Trail MapsAltamaha River Canoe Trail Map & Adventure Guide

Trails Education ProgramTrails School & Crew Leader Training

Reimbursement Program

$ 100,000 + $ 25,000 = $ 125,000

80% 20%

• Grant recipients pay 100% of up front cost

• Eligible for 80% reimbursement

• Non-Motorized Grant Max = $100,000

80% Cost Share

• Eligible Practices • Construction of new trails •Maintenance and restoration of existing trails• Development and rehabilitation of trailside and trailhead facilities• Parking, signage, restrooms, benches, trash

receptacles, safety railing, guide maps• Lease and some purchases of trail construction and maintenance equipment• Acquisition of property or easements for trails• Assessments: handicap accessibility, environmental• Facilitating access and use of trails by persons with disabilities

Eligible Matching Costs

• Cash• Donations

• Services• Materials• Land value

• Volunteers• In-kind

• Labor • Equipment

• Other• No other federal sources• Prison labor

20 %

Ineligible Practices

• Sidewalks• Tracks• Design-only

projects

Application Basics

Complete the Georgia RTP application form• Contact information• Motorized/ Non-

motorized• Single/Multi-use• Mileage• Project description• Timetable (2 Years)• Environmental

questionnaire

Support Documentation• Transmittal Letter • Current Resolution • Site Map• Location Map• Narrative description• Documentation for

permits & approvals

Budget• Make sure donations

appear in budget sheet in-kind

• Engineering & Design capped at 10% of grant award

• Environmental compliance & archaeological survey

Ranking Applications• Location in relation to greenway corridor,

greenspace, and/or recreation park

• How do you minimize impact to the natural environment (Assessment Study and Improvements to Existing Trails)

• Facilitate trail use by persons with disabilities

• New recreational opportunities

• Project’s response to local comprehensive plans

Each criteria question is scored. Total points will rank against other applicants in the same trail use category.

Ranking Cont.• How project will add to supply of land for

trail usage

• Partnerships

• How will grant funds leverage greater public investment?

• How does the trail project form connections?• Other trails & greenways• Cultural/educational• Recreation/community

• Unfinished projects & point deductions

RTP Myths• If you receive funding

one year you cannot apply for the next year’s grant cycle

FALSE• Your are not allowed to

pave a trailFALSE• If you receive a score of

zero on a criteria question, you will not score high enough to receive a grant award

FALSE

PREP YOUR APPLICATION !

- Resolution

- Line up your Partners

- Donations (have a back up plan)

- Stream or Utility Crossings

Award Winners

• Awards Announced• Intergovernmental

Review• Financial Meeting &

Notice to Proceed• Submit Quarterly

Progress Reports & Reimbursement Request

• Inspections• Acknowledgement

Reminders• Application and guidance documents available for

download October 1st at:

www.gastateparks.org/grants/rtp• Applications due (postmarked): November 26th

• Anticipating approximately 40 grants awarded• Keep your application clear!

Loren MooreProgram Coordinator

Loren.moore@gadnr.org

770-656-2770 Ext. 6

www.gastateparks.org/grants/rtp