The National Recreational Trails ProgramNRTP Exposed NRTP A

The (National) Recreational Trails Program--NRTP Exposed!

NRTP: A Few Facts. . . u Governor selected RCO to administer NRTP u Each state solicits and selects projects u Applicants must match grant funds u 20% match u Each state must have an adv. comm. that: u. Includes users u. Meets 1/yr. u. Guides application, selection u Projects must be supported in the state trail plan 3

RCO Trail Programs: Recent Funding Data from PRISM 4

Program Goal u. In Washington State, NRTP’s goal is to help rehabilitate and maintain recreational trails that provide a backcountry experience. u. Under some conditions, new “linking” trails, relocations, and safety-education proposals may also be funded. 5

What is the National Recreational Trails Program? u Provides funds for trails & trail-related facilities: u. Motorized u. Nonmotorized u. Multi-use facilities. 6

NRTP In Action: Funding for all kinds of recreational trails. . . u Pedestrian (hiking, running, wheelchair, etc. ) u Four-wheel driving u Equestrian u Cross-country ski u Bicycling u Snowmobiling u Water trails u All-terrain vehicles u Safety & education u Off-road motorcycling 7

NRTP: Who’s Eligible? u Federal, u Native State, and Local Agencies American Tribes u Non-Profit Organizations 8

NRTP: What’s Eligible? u. Maintenance of trails, trailheads and trailside facilities u. Re-development facilities u. Purchase/lease equipment u. Education safety & engineering of trail construction programs that promote trail 9

NRTP: Funding Formula “Diversified” ³ 40% NMSUse NMMUse Compat. Use MMUse 1. 2. 3. 4. “Assured Access” ³ 30% MSUse 5. “Assured Access” ³ 30% Up to 5% of funds may go to trail safety-education projects. 11

What Gets Funded? u u Backcountry trail maintenance projects Projects that best meet the objectives of the 10 evaluation questions: 1. How great is the need for improved trail facilities? 2. To what extent will the project satisfy this need? 3. Is the proposal appropriately designed? 4. The degree to which the project will reduce 12 maintenance backlogs /or/ re-create an opportunity

5. Is the project ready to proceed now? 6. By how much do the project’s benefits outweigh its costs? 7. By how much will the project reduce government costs? 8. To what extent do recreationists and the public support the project? 13

9. To what extent will the applicant match the NRTP grant with its own resources? 10. What progress has the applicant made toward meeting the requirements of the state’s Growth Management Act? 14

More advice… u Pay close attention to each question ~ don’t try to fool the evaluation team u Closely edit your responses ~ ask one or two friends to critique your answers u Quantify your needs ~ how many, how much… 15

Funded NRTP Projects

NRTP u Greg Lovelady u Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (formerly Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation, IAC) u Greg. Lovelady@RCO. wa. gov u 360 / 902 -3008 17