Nebraska RTP Committee Meets
Below are excerpts from the Nebraska RTP meeting minutes in November 2007.
Nebraska RTP Committee members are: Michelle Stryker (Administrator, NGPC), Jason Albers (Great Plains Trail Network), Steve Woerth (Nebraska Trails Council), Jamie Sich (Nebraska Horse Council), Larry Foster (City of Omaha), Chris Didamo (National Off Highway Vehicle Conservation Council), Pat Reznicek (Nebraska State Snowmobile Association), Kent Miller (Twin Platte Natural Resources District), Patti Barney (U.S. Forest Service), Troy Hilyard (Monument Valley Pathways), Lyle Minshull (City of North Platte), Steve Burnham (Federal Highway Administration), Duane Westerholt (NGPC), Neal Bedlan (NGPC), Ken Walter (contract work for NGPC), Dan Nitzel (Nebraska Off Highway Vehicle Association), Stacy Stupka-Burda (Nebraska State Historical Society), Neil Janssen (NGPC), and Tom Doering (Nebraska Department of Economic Development).
Background on RTP
The Nebraska Recreational Trails Program committee consists of 18 members, with 11 voting members, who represent various trails user groups and interests in Nebraska. To date, the RTP Committee has committed $1,137,217 towards motorized projects in the State of Nebraska. Public trail projects can qualify for Recreational Trails Program (RTP) funding. The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) fund represents a refund of the Federal gasoline tax paid by Nebraska’s off road users. Federal gasoline taxes collected from ATV, dirtbike, snowmobile and other off highway vehicles are refunded back to Nebraska from the Federal Highway Administration via the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) because the federal gasoline taxes paid by off road vehicle users at the pump are intended for highway projects. Off-road vehicles do not use highways, and some of the money is refunded back to the states to use for off-road projects. The Nebraska Recreational Trails Program Committee is sponsored by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Local government sub divisions apply to the Nebraska RTP committee for federal RTP funds. The Nebraska RTP Committee reviews grant applications and recommend to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commissioners what projects should be funded. Once a project is approved for a grant, the project sponsors have a series of land surveys, project planning and environmental requirements that need to be met before construction can begin.
Report on groundbreaking at Harlan County Reservoir ATV Park.
RTP Committee members Patti Barney and Chris Didamo attended the groundbreaking on behalf of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) and the RTP Committee. The attendance was about 80 at the poker-run and several hundred at the groundbreaking. Patti and Chris both participated in the poker-run and enjoyed themselves. The event was mentioned in the newspaper and was highly supported by the community. A large donation of $15,000 in earthwork was also announced at the groundbreaking ceremony.
Update on Open and FY2007 funded projects
Michelle Stryker went through a list of open motorized projects for RTP. The Motocross Track at Ethel Abbott Sports Complex in Lincoln (both 2006 and 2007 project) has completed the wetland delineation and has forwarded that to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The appraisal for the land value as part of the match has been completed and is currently being reviewed by NGPC. The Little Blue ATV Park of the Cities of Hebron and Deshler has not moved forward because the parcel of land fell through and the project representatives have changed. The Harlan County Reservoir ATV Park is finalizing some wetland issues and then FHWA should be ready to obligate funding to the project so it can start construction. The sponsors have hired a professional designer out of Oregon/California to help them with the design of the project and Phase I should be completed prior to the end of the summer 2008. It should be noted that this same designer will be recommended to the sponsors of the Little Blue ATV Park when it is ready to move forward in development. There are not many states that have experienced designers of ATV Parks so they have to solicit outside of the state for designers.
Educational/Administrative funds discussion
There was discussion on how Nebraska needs to get more people to the trail conferences as well as bring in motorized trail groups so that we can educate people and fund more projects. It was mentioned that we should invite congressional representatives to the conferences. Nebraska is behind in motorized trails and we have a huge opportunity in this area. There was a discussion about GPS trail mapping on if it is an eligible cost and it was stated that other states are paying for their GIS systems under RTP and that is what Nebraska plans to do as well.
The 5% for educational funds would be approximately $49,250 for Nebraska and educational funding opportunities were discussed. These funds are to be used to operate educational programs that promote safety and environmental protection as those objectives relate to the use of recreational trails. Interpretive signage was mentioned as well as Trail Tails. This publication goes out four times a year and is distributed to every 4th grader. We would be in control over the content and provide trail education to many kids. Another group that has approached NGPC are those that are leading the Bicycle Safety Summit in Omaha. We will work with them to see if we are able to assist them in funding any portion of their summit. It was brought up by Patti Barney and Chris Didamo that we need more trainers for ATV’s. Trainers need to be certified and the public needs educated on how to ride ATV’s.
Educational funds do need to meet the 30-30-40 split and must be 80/20. Since this is the first year we are going to look for educational projects, Michelle recommended that the Committee allows NGPC the discretion to make decisions on behalf of the group to move this venture forward. She also proposed that we accept projects anytime during the year and NGPC would report back to the Committee on what transpires. Michelle also proposed that she come up with a short application form and process for the Committee to review prior to the Policy Meeting in March and we discuss it there. Michelle also requested that each person on the Committee go back to their respective groups and share this information with them to strum up additional projects. Larry motioned that the committee allow NGPC the discretion to make decisions this year on educational projects and that committee members look for educational projects with their groups. Kent seconded, and all were in favor. Duane mentioned the FHWA website would provide examples from other states on what they do for educational projects in the near future.
Questions on FY08 applications
Michelle passed out scoring sheet criteria for the Committee to look at while listening to the presentations.
Steve Burnham asked if there was some sort of official or unofficial maximum amount of $150,000 for grants. Michelle stated that Nebraska has set a policy of $150,000 as the maximum amount per grant request unless the sponsor requests a waiver of that. The minimum request is $20,000. Michelle stated the Nebraska Department of Economic Development received an application for funding under the Tourism Development Initiative Community Development Grant Block program for the Motocross Track and they have chosen not to approve that request.
The question was asked to provide examples of what we consider private funding and Michelle responded by using the Great Plains Trail Network as the example; they are providing the matching funds for a majority of the City of Lincoln’s match for their Helen Boosalis Renovation trail request this year. Michelle explained that private funding is not community funds but comes from donations and foundations. It was then mentioned by Michelle that comments on scoring sheets of the committee are extremely helpful to NGPC when communities call and request why they didn’t receive funding for the year.
City of Omaha – “Q” Street Trail - This trail will be approximately 2,750 feet in length and 10 feet in width and be concrete in surface. It will go along ‘Q’ Street, connecting a golf course, soccer complex and residential neighborhood together as well as connecting to the Keystone Trail. The trail will be used by pedestrians, bicyclists, and roller bladers. Total Project Costs= $312,000; Total RTP Funds Requested= $150,000. Total RTP Funds Granted: $0
City of Wahoo-Lake Wanahoo Trail, Phase I - This trail is 1,400 feet in length, 10 feet in width and will be concrete in surface; going through two City parks and connecting to the Lake Wanahoo trail system that is yet to be built. The trail will be used by pedestrians, bicyclists and roller bladers. This trail system in Wahoo is a community driven effort. Total Project Costs= $77,215. Total RTP Funds requested= $61,772. Total RTP Funds Granted: $61,772. (Non-Motorized, Diversified project)
City of Bennington – 2nd Street walkway/Tim Ohrt Park Trail - This trail along 2nd Street will be 1,150 feet in length, 8 feet in width and surfaced in concrete. It will then connect into Tim Ohrt Park where the trail will go to 10 feet in width and be 900 feet in length, made of concrete, with a total length of 2,050 feet for the trail. The trail will be used by pedestrians, bicyclists and roller bladers. Total Project Costs= $184,742. Total RTP Funds Requested= $147,794. Total RTP Funds Granted: $0
City of Lincoln- Boosalis Trail Renovation - This trail project will replace an existing 27-year old asphalt trail that is 8 feet wide, 2,465 feet in length to a concrete, 10 foot wide trail located in the greenway between Highway 2 and the residential neighborhood. The trail will be used by pedestrians, bicyclists and roller bladers. The current trail is old asphalt that is uneven and has many cracks. Total Project Costs= $161,800. Total RTP Funds Requested= $129,100. Total RTP Funds Granted: $129,100. (Non-Motorized, Diversified project)
City of Fort Calhoun – Pioneer Park Trail - This trail project will be 2,475 feet in length and 8 feet in width that is concrete in surfacing, looping around the City’s public green space and park and include a trailhead parking facility. The trail will be used by pedestrians, bicyclists and roller bladers. Also the Papio-Missouri River NRD initially agreed that they will match the cities share of the costs. Total Project Costs= $170,400. Total RTP Funds Requested= $136,320. Total RTP Funds Granted: $136,320. (Non-Motorized, Diversified project)
City of Friend – Lake Trail - This trail will be concrete in surface, 2,300 feet in length and 8 feet in width. This trail will loop around a lake that is being renovated in the spring of 2008 and also includes 2 trailhead parking facilities and 2 picnic shelters. The trail will be used by pedestrians, bicyclists, roller bladers and cross country skiers. Total Project Costs= $196,732. Total RTP Funds Requested= $150,000. Total RTP Funds Granted: $0
City of South Sioux City – Arbor Acres Trail - This trail project is 3,954 feet in length and 10 feet in width that will be concrete in surfacing, connecting a residential area to a soccer complex. The trail will be used by pedestrians, bicyclists and roller bladers. Total Project Costs= $168,205. Total RTP Funds Requested= $134,564. Total RTP Funds Granted: $134,564. (Non-Motorized, Diversified project)
City of Randolph – Cardinal Trail - This concrete trail will be completely around the perimeter of Randolph City Park and will be 4,445 feet in length and 8 feet in width. It will connect all of the recreational facilities within the park to one another. The trail users will be pedestrians and bicyclists. Total Project Costs= $94,707. Total RTP Funds Requested= $75,765. Total RTP Funds to be Expended= $0
Lower Platte South NRD – MoPac East Trail Extension - This limestone trail will be 2.2 miles in length and 10 feet in width. It will connect to the existing MoPac East trail and be the connection between the existing MoPac East Trail and the future portion that will connect to the Lied Platte River Bridge. The trail will be used by pedestrians and bicyclists. Total Project Costs= $137,700. Total RTP Funds Requested= $110,100. Total RTP Funds to be Expended= $0
City of Kearney- Lighthouse Point Trail – This trail project will be 4,000 feet in length, 8 feet in width and concrete in surfacing, traversing through a new City subdivision connecting several parks together. The trail will be used by pedestrians, bicyclists, equestrians and roller bladers. The trail will allow people to get to a BMX course, golf course, sports fields, dog park, elderly residential area and other places. Total Project Costs= $230,948. Total RTP Funds Requested= $180,948 (waiver accepted). Total RTP Funds Granted: $180,948. (Non-Motorized, Diversified project)
City of McCook – Kelly Park Trail, Phase II - Trail is 3,038 feet in length, 8 feet in width and will be concrete in surface; going through a park and a City Right-Of-Way area that is now used as a minimum maintenance alley way. The trail will be used by pedestrians, bicyclists, roller bladers and cross country skiers in the winter. Total Project Costs= $179,439. Total RTP Funds Requested= $143,551. Total RTP Funds Granted: $143,551. (Non-Motorized, Diversified project)
Lower Platte South NRD – Motocross Track - This project is a continuation of the Motocross Track that the Committee has funded in 2006 ($255,100) and 2007 ($150,000). It consists of Phase 1c, which is a continuation of construction of the track and parking. The trail users include motorcycles, atvs and possibly snowmobiles in the winter. This project was represented by Ari Kennedy and Dan Schulz of the NRD and Dave Samani of the Husker Off Road Club. It was stated that the project will try to avoid any wetland issues as much as possible if not entirely. This track is foreseen to be used locally, statewide as well as nationally. Questions rose about previously funding this project with no progress. Dave explained that they are waiting for appraisal as well as full funding. It was clarified that the project is 40 acres (not 20) which will make a difference in the appraisal. Owner of land wants all funding provided before progress is made. Dave further explained that the county has supported the project and would like to see it underway. The question was asked if there is any chance for construction before complete funding and Dave thought it was possible but ultimately it is the landowner’s decision. Total Project Costs= $187,500 or higher amount of $360,000. Total RTP Funds Requested= $150,000 or higher amount of $300,000. Total RTP Funds to be Expended= $0
Cities of Deshler and Hebron – Little Blue ATV Park amendment - This is an amendment to an existing 2007 grant that will provide additional funds for the land acquisition and for development of the trails within the purchased land. The trails will be approximately 11-14 miles in length and be 3 to 8 feet in width with a natural surface. This Park will be for ATVs, motorcycles, snowmobiles in the winter and a BMX bike trail will also be created for users. The Cities were represented by Arlis Hohl who is the Economic Developer of Thayer County and Mayor Gordy Fleming of Deshler. The biggest issue they are having is finding an affordable piece of land that would have the most potential. The communities want this attraction to enhance their communities and bring people into the area. Relocation issues came up and Michelle clarified what this means. The question was asked about how long it would take to see development. No specific answer was given because it takes time to work out environmental issues, road access, etc. It was noted that some of the costs may not be necessary for this project and refinement on development costs would need to be worked out if funded. Total Project Costs= $349,398. Total RTP Funds Requested= $279,518. Total RTP Funds Granted: $230,825. (Motorized, Diversified project)
U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers & Harlan County Tourism-Harlan County Reservoir ATV Park, Phase II -
This project is a continuation of Phase I of the Harlan County ATV Park
which is located at Harlan County Reservoir. Phase II consists of interior
trails (14-20 miles in total), novice riding areas, a closed-loop high
skill/endurocross area, picnic shelter/pavilion, additional parking a camping
area and installation of a water system and electricity. The trails will be used
by motorcyclists, ATVs and snowmobiles in the winter. The project representative
was Jim Bowen of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Jim mentioned possible
inclusion of camping area to provide overnight accommodations because attitudes
of the district office are now leaning towards this possibility. The designer
restricted the amount of trails because they wanted to sustain the unique
features of the land as well as keep a challenging section. Jim is in charge of
making sure it is maintained properly. Michelle clarified the verification
problems they were having between Federal Highway regarding the wetland issue
and foresees this moving forward prior to the end of the year. Total Project
Costs= $155,900. Total RTP Funds Requested= $124,720. Total RTP Funds
Granted: $124,720. (Motorized, Diversified project)
Committee rankings - The Committee members scored projects and
ended up with top rankings. Steve Woerth motioned that the final ranking of
funding be taken to NGPC Board of Commissioners for their approval. Kent Miller
seconded the motion. All were in favor of sending this to the Board of
Commissioners for approval. Committee discussed the issue with the Motocross
project not being funded due to the set aside that was created for the project.
The Committee decided that the response to any questions concerning this matter
would be that the ranking came out lower than other projects. Committee members
were under the impression that immediate progress would be made and felt that a
good faith effort was not made with the amount of money already obtained. Also
under the impression that phase I would be completed before moving on to phase
II. Also committee mentioned that two other applications needed less money to
proceed and were much larger in scope. Committee members also thought that
progress should be clearly defined, in this case, a ride-able track. The
Committee suggested a Resolution be created and a statement regarding the
project be created when/if issues arise with the press or the project sponsors.
Jason Albers moved to adjourn. Steve Woerth seconded. All were in favor and meeting was adjourned at 4:15 p.m.
The Game and Parks Commission approved all of the projects forwarded by the RTP Committee in January 2008. Total amount authorized for motorized trails this year is $355,545.00.