RECREATIONAL TRAILS PROGRAM 2015

Transcription

1 RECREATIONAL TRAILS PROGRAM 2015

2 What is the RTP? Funded from federal gas taxes paid on fuel for off highway vehicle use. Authorized by the MAP-21 of (Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21 st 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

3 Who can apply? Private organizations* Non-profit organizations* Municipalities State agencies Federal agencies *must be registered with NH Secretary of State s Office

4 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

5 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

6 $ Available In 2014 over $1,200,000 was contracted out in grants. Federal apportionments must be divided as follows 30% for Motorized Trail Projects 30% for Non-Motorized Trail Projects 40% for Diversified Trail Projects

7 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.

8 Motorized Trail Projects Trails for Snowmobiles Trail Bikes All Terrain Vehicles Light Utility Vehicles

9 Non-Motorized Trail Projects Includes trails for, but not limited to: Hikers XC-Skiers Cyclists Equestrians Mushers

10 Diversified Trail Projects For trails that are open to both motorized and non-motorized uses

11 Funding Projects 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)

12 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!) 20% TOTAL PROJECT 80% RTP (80% or $50,000, whichever comes first) Grantee (minimum 20%)

13 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!!!

14 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!

15 Match Requirement Unskilled volunteer labor is rated at $18.58/hr Skilled labor is at market rate (with adequate backup 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

16 RTP vs. GIA Open to any organization for motorized, nonmotorized, 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

17 Procurement Requirements 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

18 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

19 Environmental Reviews It is the grantee s responsibility to obtain any necessary notifications or permits from the Department of Environmental Services (DES), Wetlands Bureau ( ). 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 ( ) 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) (

20 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 if you are looking to perform trail projects on DRED land, you must contact the Bureau of Trails before submitting your application. lisa.meffert@dred.nh.gov (603) x202 PO Box 1856, Concord, NH

21 How to apply Application Form and Additional Requirements

22 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!

23 Deadline Applications must be stamped in at the DRED front desk by November 14, 2014, 4:00 PM LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!!!

24 Schedule Grantees will be notified of selection in early winter (January). Work is anticipated to be approved to begin after May 1, Match may be counted as soon as you receive notice of award All work must be completed by October 30, 2015.

25 Past RTP Projects Ossipee Valley SMC

26 Twin Mountain Snowmobile Bridge

27 Stone Steps up to Artists Bluff

28 Goffstown Rail Trail Improvements

29 New Trail Construction Jericho Mountain State Park

30 Bridge to Arethusa Falls

31 Gorham Trestle Foot Bridge

32 Bridle Path-Falling Waters Trailhead Kiosk, FNSP

33 NH HERO S RECREATIONAL CROSSING Contoocook River, Concord

34 Good Luck! and remember Call if you have questions Make sure your application is complete Don t miss the deadline Thank You!