RTP FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR MOTORIZED TRAILS

The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Advisory Committee met in October 2003 to review and prioritize the trail applications for fiscal year 2004 and to make a change for this next year’s funding allocation. Normally, 30% of RTP funding should go to motorized trail applications if the RTP Committee deems them eligible. This year, the committee has chosen to waive the 30% requirement and increase the amount of funding Nebraska will use for motorized trails to 45% for this next year, if any eligible projects are brought before the Committee. This gives the motorized trail organizations a leg up on other types of trails because the committee is aware of the lack of motorized trails in the State and wants to fund motorized trails in fiscal year 2005, if they are deemed eligible projects.

Last year, the RTP Committee did not receive any applications for motorized trails. The RTP committee stipulates that a political subdivision sponsor the project and this could include communities, counties, public power districts, school districts, natural resources districts, and federal agencies (US Forest Service). The RTP fund represents a portion of the revenue received by the Federal Highway Trust fund from the Federal motor fuel excise tax paid by users of off-road recreational vehicles such as snowmobiles, all terrain vehicles, off-road motorcycles and off-road light trucks. The Federal project share is up to 80% of the project’s total allowable cost. The political subdivision’s project share is the remaining 20% of the project. Nebraska has received millions of RTP dollars for trail development since the early 1990s and the RTP Committee believes it’s time to give motorized trails an advantage so more of these types of trails can become a reality in our State.

There are many things eligible for motorized trails in regards to RTP funding. For example, land may be acquired by the political subdivision and be reimbursed; trail development and/or maintenance are eligible, as well as support facilities such as restrooms, picnic shelters, landscaping and trailheads. It is important to note that the RTP fund is a reimbursable fund and a political sponsor must have all of the money on hand for the project because they will be reimbursed after Nebraska Game and Parks Commission have done a final inspection of the project. The project must have a life expectancy of 10 years with the encouragement of being 20 years, which means that if restrooms are built, they must last for 10 years.

The deadline for fiscal year 2005 applications is October 1, 2004 and grant funds are only handed out once per year. Please visit the parks division web page and click on Park Programs (pull down menu in the purple task bar right below the fish picture) and when you pull down the menu, click on "State Trails grants."

Don’t let this opportunity pass you by Work with your associations and try to figure out a motorized trail project for RTP funds. If you have questions regarding this grant at all, please do not hesitate to contact Michelle Stryker at (402) 471-5425 or email her at mstryker@ngpc.state.ne.us.