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
1990 Congress makes major shift in surface transportation policy, now pedestrian
and bicycle facilities are eligible for federal-aid highway funds.
1991
1998
2005
2012
2014
ISTEA
Intermodal
Surface
Transportation
Efficiency Act
TEA-21
Transportation
Equity Act for
the 21st Century
SAFTEA-LU
Safe,
Accountable,
Flexible,
Efficient
Transportation
Equity Act: A
Legacy for
Users
MAP-21
Moving Ahead
for Progress in
the 21st
Century
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
Since 1991, the Recreational Trails Program has
received over $915 million in federal funding
50%
Distributed
Equally
50%
Based Upon Fuel Use in
Each State
RTP Federal Apportionment
State of Georgia
1993 - 2014
2.5
Millions of Dollars
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
Year
$ 3,442,026 = ~40 grant awards
RTP Funding Cycles
$4,000,000.00
$3,500,000.00
$3,000,000.00
$2,500,000.00
$2,000,000.00
$1,500,000.00
$1,000,000.00
$500,000.00
$-
• 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
October
November
• Apps on
Website
• 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%
40%
• Nonmotorized
Recreational
Trail Use
(Single-use)
• Diverse
Recreational
Trail Use
(Multi-use)
The RTP legislation permits
Georgia to use five percent of
its RTP funds for educational
efforts.
Trails Education Program
Trails School & Crew Leader
Training
Trail Maps
Altamaha River Canoe Trail
Map & Adventure Guide
• Grant recipients pay 100% of up front cost
• Eligible for 80% reimbursement
• Non-Motorized Grant Max = $100,000
$ 100,000 + $ 25,000 = $ 125,000
80%
20%
• 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
20 %
• Cash
• Donations
• Services
• Materials
• Land value
• Volunteers
• In-kind
• Labor
• Equipment
• Other
• No other federal sources
• Prison labor
• 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
Each criteria question is scored.
Total points will rank against other
applicants in the same trail use
category.
• 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
• 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 1st at:
www.gastateparks.org/grants/rtp
• Applications due (postmarked): November 26th
• Anticipating approximately 40 grants awarded
• Keep your application clear!
Loren Moore
Program Coordinator
Loren.moore@gadnr.org
770-656-2770 Ext. 6
www.gastateparks.org/grants/rtp