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

Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act ISTEA TEA-21 Transportation Equity Act for the 21 st 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

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

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

$ 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

HIKERS Georgia Appalachian Trail Club - Nancy Lovingood Second position vacant BICYCLISTS Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association - Keith Owen Second position vacant OFF-ROAD VEHICLE USERS Southern Four Wheel Drive Association - Dave Logan Georgia Recreational Trail Riders Association - Bruce Dreher EQUESTRIANS Chattahoochee Trail Horse Association - Debbie Crowe Back Country Horsemen of North Georgia - Randy Brown WATER TRAIL USERS Georgia Canoe Association - Dan MacIntyre GREENWAYS USERS Lumpkin County - Carlton Harris Fulton County - Greta DeMayo Third position vacant

August Pre App Wkshp Octobe r Apps on Website November Apps Due March Awards announced

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)

The RTP legislation permits Georgia to use five percent of its RTP funds for educational efforts. Trail Maps Altamaha River Canoe Trail Map & Adventure Guide Trails Education Program Trails School & Crew Leader Training

$ 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

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

Cash Donations Services Materials Land value Volunteers In-kind Labor Equipment Other No other federal sources Prison labor 20 %

Sidewalks Tracks Design-only projects

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

Make sure donations appear in budget sheet in-kind Engineering & Design capped at 10% of grant award Environmental compliance & archaeological survey

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.

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

If you receive funding one year you cannot apply for the next year’s grant cycle FALSE Your are not allowed to pave a trail FALSE 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

Awards Announced Intergovernmental Review Financial Meeting & Notice to Proceed Submit Quarterly Progress Reports & Reimbursement Request Inspections Acknowledgement

Application and guidance documents available for download October 1 st at: Applications due (postmarked): November 26 th Anticipating approximately 40 grants awarded Keep your application clear!

Loren Moore Program Coordinator Ext. 6