from
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/safetealu/factsheets/rectrails.htm
Fact Sheets on Highway Provisions
RECREATIONAL TRAILS PROGRAM
Year Authorization
2005 $60M
2006 $70M
2007 $75M
2008 $80M
2009 $85M
Program PurposeThe Recreational Trails program provides funds to the States to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both nonmotorized and motorized recreational trail uses.
Statutory References
SAFETEA-LU Section(s): 1101(a)(8), 1109
Other: 23 USC 104(h) & 206
Funding/FormulaFunded by contract authority, to remain available for 4 years. Funds are subject to the overall Federal-aid highway obligation limitation.
Before apportioning funds to the States, there will be a takedown of $840,000 each fiscal year (2005-2009) for program research, technical assistance, and training expenses. Funds will be distributed to the States by formula as follows:
50% of the amount will be apportioned equally among eligible States;
50% of the amount will be apportioned among eligible States proportionate to the amount of non-highway recreational fuel used in each State during the preceding year.
Eligible Use of FundsFunds are available to develop, construct, maintain, and rehabilitate trails and trail facilities. Trail uses include 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.
Continued eligibilities include:maintenance and restoration of trails
development and rehabilitation of trailside and trailhead facilities
purchase and lease of trail construction and maintenance equipment
construction of new trails (with some limits on Federal lands)
acquisition of easements and fee simple title to property
assessment of trail conditions for accessibility and maintenance
development and dissemination of publications and operation of trail safety and trail environmental protection programs (including non-law enforcement monitoring and patrol programs and trail-related training), not to exceed 5% of the annual apportionment
State costs for administering the program, not to exceed 7% of the annual apportionment
New eligible activities include:assessment of trail conditions for accessibility and maintenance
clarification that educations funds may be used for publications, monitoring and patrol programs and for trail-related training
Program FeaturesStates must meet minimum funding between motorized, non-motorized and diverse trail use:
40% for diverse trail use;
30% for non-motorized recreation
30% for motorized recreation
The ability for a State recreational trails advisory committee to waive the setasides for non-motorized and motorized recreation has been eliminated by SAFETEA-LU.
States are encouraged to enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with youth conservation and service corps to perform trail construction and maintenance.
Federal Share
The Federal share will be in accordance with section [23 USC 120(b)] (i.e. the sliding scale provision), but funds from other Federal programs outside the U.S. Department of Transportation may be used to fulfill the non-Federal share requirement, except that the combination of the U.S. DOT other Federal agency share may not exceed 95 percent.
Upon approval, planning and environmental assessment costs incurred prior to project approval may be credited toward the non-Federal share cost of the project, limited to costs incurred not more than 18 months prior to project approval.
Recreational Trails program funds may be used to match other Federal program funds for purposes that would be eligible under the Recreational Trails program.