DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES Funding Available for Recreational Trail Grants [28 Pa.B. 5581] The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) began accepting applications for the next grant round for the Pennsylvania Recreational Trails Program on November 1, 1998. Funding for the program is available through the Federal Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA 21).
This grant program was first authorized by the United States Congress through the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) and was formerly referred to as the Symms National Recreational Trails Program.
The Federal Highway Administration has allocated Pennsylvania $1.2 million for this round of funding. At least 30% of the funding will be utilized for motorized recreational trail uses and 30% for nonmotorized recreational trail uses. The remaining 40% will be used for both motorized and nonmotorized uses, but preference will be given to projects with the greatest number of compatible recreational trail uses and/or that provide for innovative recreational trail corridor sharing to accommodate motorized and nonmotorized recreational trails.
Applicants may submit projects for the maintenance and restoration of existing recreational trails; development and rehabilitation of trailside and trailhead facilities and trail linkages; purchase and lease of recreational trail construction and maintenance equipment; construction of new trails; acquisition of easements or property for trails, and the operation of educational programs to promote safety and environmental protection related to trails (limited to 5% of the State's funds)
Consideration will also be given to projects that provide for the redesign, reconstruction, nonroutine maintenance or relocation of recreational trails to benefit the natural environment or to mitigate and minimize the impact to the natural environment.
Project applicants are encouraged to use qualified youth conservation or service corps for the construction and maintenance of recreational trails under this program
Those eligible for trail funding from this program are local governments, State and Federal agencies, organizations and individuals. Eligible grant amounts will range in size from a minimum of $2,500 to a maximum of $150,000. This program requires at least a 20% match from the project sponsor, except for acquisition projects which require a 50% match.
Note: This is a reimbursable program; the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will reimburse project sponsors only for costs actually incurred.
The deadline for applications is March 1, 1999. To apply for funding from the Pennsylvania Recreational Trails Program, please call or write to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources at the following address for a current application. Workshops will be held throughout the State to provide information on program requirements and how to complete an application.
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation & Conservation, Pennsylvania Recreational Trails Program, P. O. Box 8475, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8475, (717) 787-2316, FAX: (717) 772-3325, e-mail: tierney.vanyla@al.dcnr.state.pa.us.
Persons with a disability who wish to submit a Pennsylvania Recreational Trails Program grant application and require special assistance should contact Vanyla Tierney at (717) 787-2316 to discuss how the Department may best assist their needs. TTY or TDD users call 1(800)654-5984. For more information, visit us through the Pennsylvania homepage at www.state.pa.us, or visit DCNR directly at www.dcnr.state.pa.us.
JOHN C. OLIVER,
Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 98-1838. Filed for public inspection November 6, 1998, 9:00 a.m.]
