Recreational Trails Program - Pawtuckaway State Park€¦ · RECREATIONAL TRAILS PROGRAM 2015 . ... the NHB Database ... (

RECREATIONAL TRAILS

PROGRAM

2015

What is the RTP?

• Funded from federal gas taxes paid on fuel for off highway vehicle use.

• Authorized by the MAP-21 of 2012. (Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act)

• Administered nationally by the Federal Highway Administration

• Administered locally by the NH Trails Bureau

• In NH, a competitive grant program which seeks quality public trail projects

Who can apply?

Private

organizations*

Non-profit

organizations*

*must be registered with NH

Secretary of State’s Office

Municipalities

State agencies

Federal

agencies

Eligible Projects

• Maintenance and

restoration of existing

trails

• Purchase and lease of

trail construction

equipment

– “Buy America”

requirements for

equipment purchases

• Construction of new trails

• Development &

rehabilitation of

trailside/trailhead

facilities/linkages

• Acquisition of easements

or property for trails

– Must meet Federal

requirements with deed

standards and land values

• Educational projects for

safety and/or

environmental protection

Ineligible Projects

• Feasibility studies

• Planning and Engineering

• Project Administration

• Construction of paths or sidewalks along or adjacent to public roads

• Projects that are in

progress when the

grant is awarded

• Projects completed

prior to the grant

being awarded

• Paving of trails or

roadways

$ Available

Federal apportionments must be divided as follows…

• 30% for Motorized Trail Projects

• 30% for Non-Motorized Trail Projects

• 40% for Diversified Trail Projects

In 2014 over $1,200,000 was contracted

out in grants.

Identifying Trail Users

• You must identify the permitted and

primary users of the trail.

• Proposals will be placed into either the

Motorized, Non-Motorized or Diversified

user category (as determined by the Trails Bureau

and/or the grant selection committee).

• Applications will be scored against other

applications within each user category.

Motorized Trail Projects

Trails for…

– Snowmobiles

– Trail Bikes

– All Terrain Vehicles

– Light Utility Vehicles

Non-Motorized Trail Projects

• Includes trails for,

but not limited to:

– Hikers

– XC-Skiers

– Cyclists

– Equestrians

– Mushers

Diversified Trail Projects

• For trails that are open

to both motorized and

non-motorized uses

RTP grants are given to good projects, not for creative grant writing (but applications MUST be

complete)

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Remember this is a competitive program. HAVE ALTERNATIVES!

Partnerships are recommended.

The use of youth conservation/service corps and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises for project work is encouraged (FHWA program guidance acknowledges the use of these organizations)

Funding Projects

Funding continued… • Trail grants are available for

amounts between $5,000 and $50,000

• Maximum of 2 applications per organization per grant year

• Total RTP funding not to exceed $50,000 per applicant

• Maximum RTP share for any project is 80%, or $50,000, whichever comes first, of the Total Project Cost/Value

• A minimum of 20% must be pledged as match (20% of Total Project Cost/Value – Not 20% of grant amount!)

80% 20%

RTP (80% or $50,000,whichever comes first)

Grantee (minimum 20%)

TOTAL PROJECT

Funding continued… • Payment is on a reimbursement basis.

– Grantees must incur cost for work actually completed.

• Requests for reimbursements must be submitted with cancelled checks and/or paid-in-full receipts attached. Receipts must be as clear and detailed as possible. Reimbursement requests should be made within 30 days of incurring expense.

• Eligible items for reimbursement must be detailed in the original proposal. Any changes in project scope or budget must be pre-approved by the BOT in writing.

• Advances/Working capitol advances may be requested/approved on a case-by-case basis. Must be needed and justified and noted in application!!!

Funding continued…

• Equipment: Grantees agree to retain, and keep in good working condition, any equipment purchased with RTP funding for a minimum of four (4) years, thereafter disposal or transfer of ownership of said equipment requires written approval from the Bureau of Trails. A percentage of any proceeds received as a result of equipment disposal shall be reimbursed to the State equal to the percentage of the RTP contribution to the original purchase total (unless FMV < $5000).

• Trails Maintenance Equipment is subject to the US Dept. of Transportation’s “Buy America” provisions. Equipment must be manufactured or made in the US, or a waiver must be applied for PRIOR to purchase being made!

Match Requirement

• Unskilled volunteer labor

is rated at $18.58/hr

• Skilled labor is at market

rate (with adequate back-

up provided)

• Any funds, or the fair

market value of materials

and services may be

pledged

• In-kind labor from town or

government employees is

credited at their wage

plus benefits

• Convict labor may be

used, but at actual cost of

administering agency

• GIA (NH State motorized

grants) as match is

eligible

RTP vs. GIA • Open to any organization

for motorized, non-motorized, or diversified trail projects

• Federal gas tax funds

• Pays up to 80% of project total

• Requires minimum 20% match

• Volunteer labor can be used as a match

• 1 year contract term

• Open only to OHRV and Snowmobile clubs and municipalities for motorized trail projects

• State registration funds

• Pays 60% for equipment purchase

• Pays 65% for rentals

• Pays 70% for grooming and grading

• Pays 100% for materials

• There is no match requirement

• 6 month contract terms

Minimum of three (3) quotes from

separate vendors required* Sole source vendor allowed

Goods/Materials $2000 and over per invoice under $2000 per invoice, per day

(multiple invoices from single vendor

with same date that equal $2000 or

greater will not be accepted)

Equipment purchase $2000 and over under $2000

Service agreements $3000 and over per total contract under $3000 per total contract, or use of

own forces

Equipment rental No limit/restrictions

* Low quote vendor must be used, unless alternate vendor is justified and approved per the following:

Pre-determined intent to use single vendor citing unique or specialized goods or services

Three comparable vendors are not reasonably available

Best justified value available from vendor other than lowest quote

Grantees are encouraged (not required) to obtain quotes for use of:

Qualified Youth Conservation or Service Corp

Disadvantaged Business Enterprises: current list of DBE vendors available at

www.nh.gov/dot/org/administration/ofc/index.htm

Procurement Requirements

Reimbursement Process

Grantee Incurs and Pays for Eligible Project Costs

Grantee Submits Reimbursement Request to State

State Pays Grantee From State Funds (pending compliance)

State Submits Reimbursement Request to FHWA

FHWA Pays State From NH’s RTP Apportionment (pending compliance)

Non-compliance with program rules potentially means no reimbursement for

grantee and/or state

Environmental Reviews

It is the grantee’s responsibility to obtain any necessary

notifications or permits from the Department of Environmental

Services (DES), Wetlands Bureau

(www.des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/wetlands/index.htm ).

If you know you need a permit, specify in application. If you’re

not sure, ASK!

FYI…DES will not accept any requests for notifications or permits without a

Natural Heritage Bureau (NHB) review attached. All applicants should check

the NHB Database (www.nhdfl.org/about-forests-and-lands/bureaus/natural-

heritage-bureau/services/ ) and submit results with their application.

All project sponsors should be familiar with the “Best

Management Practices for Erosion Control During Trail

Maintenance and Construction” (BMP Manual)

(www.nhstateparks.org/uploads/BMPmanual2010.pdf)

…if you are looking to perform trail projects on DRED

land, you must contact the Bureau of Trails before

submitting your application.

[email protected]

(603)271-3254 x202

PO Box 1856, Concord, NH 03302-1856

The Trails Bureau’s role as state land managers and as grant managers are

operated separately. Obtaining a grant for a project on DRED properties

such as NH State Parks, NH State Forests, or State Recreational Rail

Trails does not directly translate to obtaining permission to do the work and

vice-versa. So…

How to apply

Application Form and Additional Requirements

Application form available online at…

• Be sure to use the current form.

• Applications should be typed/printed.

• Do not use covers or binders.

• Submit one original and one copy of your application (total of two).

• Missing information and/or attachments may result in point loss or rejection.

You can do it!

http://www.nhstateparks.org/partner-and-community-

resources/grants/recreational-trails-program.aspx

Deadline

Applications must be stamped in at the DRED front desk by…

November 14, 2014, 4:00 PM

LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!!!

Schedule

• Grantees will be notified of selection in early winter (January).

• Work is anticipated to be approved to begin after May 1, 2015.

• Match may be counted as soon as you receive notice of award

• All work must be completed by October 30, 2015.

Past RTP Projects…

Ossipee Valley SMC

Twin Mountain Snowmobile Bridge

Stone Steps up to

Artists Bluff

Goffstown Rail Trail Improvements

New Trail Construction Jericho Mountain

State Park

Bridge to

Arethusa

Falls

Gorham Trestle Foot Bridge

Bridle Path-Falling Waters Trailhead Kiosk, FNSP

NH HERO’S RECREATIONAL CROSSING Contoocook River, Concord

Good Luck!

• Call if you have

questions

• Make sure your

application is complete

• Don’t miss the deadline

Thank You!

and remember…