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Vermont's Recreation Trails Program

Program Overview: Vermont's Recreation Trails Program (RTP) provides funds to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail related facilities for both non-motorized and motorized recreation uses.  RTP is administred by the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation (FPR) in the Agency of Natural Resources, in cooperation with the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).  RTP also consults with the Vermont Trails and Greenways Council (VT&GC). 

The VT&GC, representing motorized and non-motorized recreation trail users, acts in an advisory capacity to FPR on trail related issues and helps develop state trail policy for the RTP.  For additional information about VT&GC, please visit their website: www.vermonttrailsandgreenwayscouncil.org.

A five-member RTP ranking committee of private, state, and federal individuals review and evaluate grant applications and make competitive grant funding recommendations to the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation.  The VT&GC assists by nominating individuals to the RTP ranking committee.

Eligible Projects:

• Maintenance and restoration of existing trails;
• Development and/or rehabilitation of trailside amenities and trailhead facilities;
• Construction and reconstruction of trails and trail linkages;
• Bank stabilization, revegetation, and erosion control;
• Construction of small bridges, railings, ramps and retaining structures;
• Operation of educational programs to promote safety and responsible recreational use, and environmental protection related to trail use;
• Trail assessment for accessibility, sustainability, and future maintenance;
• Universal Trails Assessment Process for trail design and sustainable trail implementation;
• Acquisition of easement and fee simple title to property for recreation trails or trail corridors;

How does RTP funding work?

• RTP may reimburse up to 80% of eligible project costs with an approved grant agreement;
• Project sponsors must apply to FPR for RTP grants before starting the trail work they are requesting funds for.
• Please note that federal approval may take up to 6 to 8 weeks or longer depending on the nature of the work being proposed; State funds are subject to passing the State's budget.

Next Grant Application Deadline: January 15, 2009

Eligible Applicants: Municipalities and non-profit organizations may apply for competitive grants. 

Funds Available: Funds are subject to federal and state appropriations, which are yet to be determined. Vermont's 2009 estimated RTP budget, without any rescissions or obligation limitation, is slightly over $1 million.  Maximum grant award for competitive grant: $20,000.*

*Note - FPR Commissioner may award more funds to meet federal rules.

Program Timeline:

          October: 2009 RTP grant applications become available.

November 12, 2008: RTP information and grant writing workshop offered via Vermont Interactive Television from 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM.  All potential applicants are encouraged to attend and will be awarded five bonus points on their grant application.

January: Grant applications due by or postmarked by 4:30PM, January 15th, 2009.  Late applications will not be accepted.

March: Application Review Committee meets to score applications and make funding recommendations to the FPR Commissioner.

April - June: Funding recommendations for grant awards are announced by FPR.  FPR sends project sponsors a letter of next steps to take and FPR sends request to FHWA for federal funding obligation authroity for these projects.  Work may begin when BOTH project funding has been approved by FHWA and a grant agreement has been fully executed by FPR and the project sponsor.

Program Background:

RTP is funded predominantly with federal RTP funds, and is codified under Federal Legislation, Title 23 U.S.C., Chapter 2; Section 206 dictates use of federal RTP funds.

Federal RTP revenues are generated predominantly from federal gas tax dollars paid on fuel purchases for off highway recreational vehicles and snowmobiles.  These funds are appropriated to the states by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and authorized through the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy of Users (SAFETEA:LU).  For more information, visit FHWA's Recreational Trails Program Website at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/rectrails/guidance.htm.

A small portion of state funds from the Vermont Recreation Trail Fund are added into Vermont's RTP.

RTP rules require federal RTP funds be allocated to trail projects according to a 30-30-40 percent distribution among motorized, non-motorized, and diversified recreational uses, which means 30% of federal funds must be allocated to motorized recreational use of trails, 30% must be allocated to non-motorized recreational use of trails, and 40% is allocated to multiple-recreational use trails.

Each year, Vermont's RTP budget is formulated by combining federal and state RTP funds.  FPR distributes funds for recreation trail projects throughout FPR's five districts, municipalities, schools, and non-profit organizations throughout the state, in accordance with program guidelines and takes a small percentage of each year's federal RTP allocation for administration costs.