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Recreational Trails Program. Benefits of Recreational Trails. 1. Good for the mind. 2 . Good for the body. 3. Positively impacts your social life. 4 . Good for the economy. 5. Great for the great outdoors. . Recreational Trails Program.
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Benefits of Recreational Trails 1. Good for the mind. 2. Good for the body. 3. Positively impacts your social life. 4. Good for the economy. 5. Great for the great outdoors.
Recreational Trails Program The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) provides funds to the States to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for nonmotorized and motorized recreational trail uses. (www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/recreational_trails/) RTP Goal: To encourage all kinds of trail enthusiasts to work together to provide a wide variety of recreational trail opportunities.
History 1990 Congress makes major shift in surface transportation policy, now pedestrian and bicycle facilities are eligible for federal-aid highway funds. • 1991 ISTEA Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act • 1998 TEA-21 Transportation Equity Act for the 21stCentury • 2005 SAFTEA-LU Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users • 2012 MAP-21 Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (expires September 30,2014)
U.S. Highway Trust Fund A transportation fund which receives money from a federal fuel tax of 18.3 cents per gallon on gasoline and 24.4 cents per gallon of diesel fuel and related excise taxes RTP operates on the “user-pay/user-benefit” philosophy
50%DistributedEqually 50%Based Upon Fuel Use in Each State Since 1991, the Recreational Trails Program has received over $915 million in federal funding
All About RTP • Federal Highway Administration provides funds and guidance, but each state administers its own program • States required to use RTP project funds according to a legislative formula
Eligibility • Types of Trails • mountain biking • hiking/walking • equestrian • off-highway vehicle • water trails (canoe/kayak launch) • Who is eligible to apply for RTP funds? • city governments • county governments • federal agencies • authorized commissions • state agencies
80% Cost Share 20% Match • Eligible Practices • Development and rehabilitation of trailside and trailhead facilities • Construction of new trails • Maintenance and restoration of existing trails • Purchase and lease of trail construction and maintenance equipment • Acquisition of easements or property for trails • Eligible Match Dollars • Cash • Labor • Materials donated • In-kind services • Land purchase
Funding Break Down $ 100,000 + $ 25,000 = $ 125,000 80% 20%
Trails Education Trail Maps Altamaha River Canoe Trail Map & Adventure Guide The RTP legislation permits Georgia to use five percent of its RTP funds for educational efforts. Trails Education Program Trails School & Crew Leader Training
Georgia Trails & Greenways Advisory Committee HIKERS Nancy Lovingood - Georgia Appalachian Trail ClubSecond position vacantBICYCLISTS Keith Owen - Southern Off-Road Bicycle AssociationSecond position vacantOFF-ROAD VEHICLE USERS Dave Logan - Southern Four Wheel Drive AssocationBruce Dreher - Georgia Recreational Trail Riders Association EQUESTRIANS Larry Wheat - Back Country Horsemen of North GeorgiaDebbie Crowe - Chattahoochee Trail Horse AssociationWATER TRAIL USERS Dan MacIntyre, Georgia Canoe AssociationGREENWAYS USERS Greta DeMayo - Fulton CountyCarlton E. Harris - Lumpkin CountyThird position vacant
Georgia Recreational Trails Program Grant Cycle August Pre Application Workshops November Applications Due (end of month) December – January Application Review and Ranking March Grant Awards Announced
Ranking Applications • Motorized/Non-motorized • Single/Multi-use • Mileage • Location • Budget • Partnerships • Location in relation to greenway corridor, greenspace, recreation park • Minimize impact to the natural environment • Trail use by persons with disabilities • New recreational opportunities • Project’s response to local comprehensive plan
Award Winners • Awards Announced • Financial Meeting • Notice to Proceed • Submit Quarterly Progress Reports • Inspections • Acknowledgement
Coweta CountyBrown’s Mill Battlefield Trail • Funded FY2010 • 0.85 miles new trail construction • pavilion • parking lot • bike racks • benches • Site of the Battle of Brown’s Mill • Civil War cavalry battle July 30, 1864 • Partnered with local Boy Scout Troops Timeline Contract Agreement September 2011 Final Inspection December 2013
Coweta CountyBrown’s Mill Battlefield Trail Matching Funds • County Employee Labor • County Equipment (clearing/grading) • Slate stone & granite dust • Landscaping/grass Total: $ 75,600 Grant Funds • Design & Engineering • Interpretive Trail Markers • Construction Contract Total: $ 100,000 Matching Cash • Design & Engineering • Benches • Entrance Gate • Erosion Control Total: $ 26,000 Grant Funds In-Kind 49% 51%