Outdoor Recreational Grants

The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is a Federal-Aid assistance program of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The Recreational Trails Program helps states develop and maintain recreational trails for both motorized and non-motorized recreational trail use. Examples of trail uses include pedestrian (hiking, walking, running, wheelchair), bicycling paved and non-paved, in line skating, equestrian use, water trails, off-road motorcycling, all-terrain vehicle riding, four-wheel driving, or using other off-road motorized vehicles.

The U.S. Congress first authorized the Recreational Trails Program in the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991. It was reauthorized in 1998 under the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21).

Although the U.S. Department of Transportation manages the RTP through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the administration of the program lies at the state level. On January 5, 1992, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) was designated as the agency to administer the RTP. An RTP Advisory Committee, where both motorized and non-motorized trail users are represented, is tasked to advise the MDWFP on the criteria for administering the state's RTP grant process.

Funds are distributed each year through a competitive grant process. RTP guidelines mandate grant funds be allocated by the following categories and percentages:

• Motorized: 30%,
• Non-motorized: 30%
• Diversified: 40%

The RTP is a reimbursement program. Successful project sponsors must pay the approved project costs up front and apply for reimbursement demonstrating proof of payment for each request for reimbursement. Cash advances are not given.

The exact amount of funds varies from year to year. Each year the Federal Highway Administration notifies the states of RTP appropriation. Half of the funds are distributed equally among all states, and half are distributed in proportion to the estimated amount of off-road recreational fuel use in each state: fuel used for off-road recreation by snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, off-road motorcycles, and off-road light trucks.

Recreational Trails Program funds may be used for:

• Maintenance and restoration of existing trails.
• Development and rehabilitation of trailside and trailhead facilities and trail linkages.
• Construction of new trails (with restrictions for new trails on Federal lands).
• Facilitating access and use of trails by persons with disabilities.
• Operation of educational programs to promote safety and environmental protection related to trails (limited to 5% of a state's funds).

Recreational Trails Program funds may not be used for:

• Property condemnation (eminent domain).
• Constructing new trails for motorized use on National Forest or Bureau of Land Management lands, unless the project is consistent with resource management plans.
• Facilitating motorized access on otherwise non-motorized trails.

These funds are intended for recreational trails; they may not be used to improve roads for general passenger vehicle use or to provide shoulders or sidewalks along roads.

A project proposal solely for trail planning would not be eligible. However, some project development costs may be allowable if they are a relatively small part of a particular trail maintenance, facility development, or construction project (design and engineering fees are limited to 8% of total construction cost).

Grants may be awarded to nonprofit (501(c)(3)) conservation organizations, municipal, county, State or Federal government agencies, and other government entities. This includes public education institutions, public utilities, state universities, state tribal governments, and more.

In general, the maximum Federal share eligible for reimbursement for each project from the Recreational Trails Program funds is 80%. A Federal agency project sponsor may provide additional Federal funds, provided the total Federal share does not exceed 95%. The non-Federal match must come from a local project sponsor(s) or other fund sources. Funds from any other Federal program may be used for the non-Federal match if the project is eligible under the other program.

Project payment takes place on a reimbursement basis: The project sponsor must incur costs for work actually completed, then submit vouchers for reimbursement. Request for reimbursement must contain supporting documentation of expenses incurred matched with invoices or receipts. Reimbursement is not normally permitted for work that takes place prior to project approval.

• Develop a workable project.
  • What are your trail needs?
  • What can you do realistically?
• Get public support for your project.
  • How does your project benefit your community?
  • Are there other potential project sponsors?
• Find other funding sources.
  • The normal Federal share is limited to 80% reimbursement. Some State or local governments may provide some matching funds, but usually the project sponsor has to provide most or all of the funds before requesting reimbursement. Consider donations of materials and volunteer labor.
• Consider how to involve youth conservation or service corps in your project.
  • Applicants are encouraged to use qualified youth conservation or service corps for construction and maintenance of recreational trails under this program.
• Develop a good project design.
  • Consider the project's natural environment. Consider user needs, including use by people with disabilities.
• Consider potential problems.
  • Environmental impacts: These must be documented and minimized.
  • Permits: You may need to obtain various permits prior to submitting your proposal.
  • Possible opposition: Some people may oppose your project for various reasons, including concerns about property rights, liability, safety, or historic or environmental impacts.
• Request, complete, and submit the project application for approval.
  • Develop a proposal sufficiently so that the project may move quickly into implementation after project approval. If your project is approved, get to work! Project approval may be withdrawn if a sponsor does not begin work within a reasonable time frame.

Mississippi Recreational Trails Program develops has its own procedures for soliciting and selecting recreational trails projects for funding. This is usually done once a year through public announcements, press releases, and mail-outs to municipalities, counties, planning and development districts, and state and federal agencies. Applications can also be acquired by calling or emailing the Mississippi Recreational Trails Program and requesting an application.

The LWCF program was established by the LWCF Act of 1965. Federal funds are appropriated by Congress through the Department of Interior and administered on the federal level by National Park Service (NPS) and on the state level by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, Outdoor Recreation Grants division.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) program was established to stimulate a nationwide action program to assist in preserving, developing, and assuring to all citizens of the United States, of present and future generations, such quality and quantity of outdoor recreation resources as may be available. The program provides matching grants to States, and through the States to local units of government, for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation sites and facilities.

Funding for the program is provided largely from Outer Continental Shelf mineral receipts, with additional income from the Motorboat Fuels Tax, recreation user fees, and through the sales of federal surplus property. Federal LWCF obligations have been matched by state and local contributions, for a total recreation investment of over $6 billion dollars.

The LWCF program requires a fifty percent match by the project sponsor. This match can include cash, in-kind services, and donations of land/material/services.

The composition of the sponsor's matching share must be approved by the ORG staff. Only costs and donations incurred during the project period are eligible for reimbursement. The appraised value of land donated for the project area can be used as all or part of the matching share for development.

Title to a donation of or "fee simple purchase" of park land cannot be transferred to the sponsor prior to project approval by National Park Service.

Any political jurisdiction of the state, such as a city or county, and selected state agencies, being sole owners and holding deed to the proposed acreage, who are interested in acquiring and developing a public park and recreation area may apply for a LWCF grant. Individuals may not apply.

In order for an application to be considered, it must be a viable project (e.g., ballfield, soccer field, splash park, etc.). Applications for support facilities only do not qualify. Projects can be a combination of both.

• Acquisition: Acquisition-only projects can be submitted but will be ranked low in the ratings. According to NPS guidelines, land that is acquired must be developed.
• Development: Physical facilities such as sports and play fields, tennis courts, picnic facilities, etc.
• Acquisition/Development: Land acquired by donation or negotiated purchase followed by development of facilities on that land.

Once each year the states are notified if money is appropriated. At that time, Mayors, Presidents of the Board of Supervisors, and state agencies are notified of the appropriation and are invited to submit an application. After the application and documentation have been received, the project is ranked according to the Open Project Selection Process (OSPS), as identified in the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). Applicants will be notified when the ranking process is complete.