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The Vermont Recreation Trails Grant Program refers to the grant funding available through the Vermont Department ofForests, Parks & Recreation. Funding for the program comes from the new federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP) and the State of Vermont's Recreation Trails Fund (VRTF). Together, they are referred to as the Vermont Recreation Trails Program.
This administrative guide supplements the separate Grant Application and will explain the application process and the grant administration of active projects.
The mission of the Vermont Recreation Trails Program is that of the Vermont Trails & Greenways Council: "To provide trail opportunities to all citizens of Vermont within 15 minutes oftheir home."
The 1998 Surface Transportation Efficiency Act brings sweeping changes to the federal RTP which will allow states a great deal more flexibility in administering the program, dramatically increases the available funding, and increases percentage at which grants may be made from 50% to 80%; In Vermont, the Federal and State monies are administered as one program. The one significant deviation is that trails planning grants are no longer allowed through the federal program; therefore, planning grants may be made only through the VRTF.
In 1994, Governor Dean signed H-880 into law which included the Vermont Trail system Act. The Act provides for a Vermont Recreational Trails Fund (VRTF) which is derived from the transfer of State gas taxes paid on non-highway recreation fUel used by off-highway vehicles including snowmobiles and ATV's. Fuel tax monies are transferred from the Transportation Fund into a Recreation Trails Fund for trails planning, development, improvement, maintenance, and protection.
This program provides for an annual appropriation ofthree-fourths of one percent of the total State gas tax, not to exceed $370,000. Twenty percent, up to $74,000, is available as grants to municipalities and non-profit organizations.
The legislation also designates the Vermont Trails & Greenways Council as the advisory council. The Council consists of representatives of trail using and trail providing agencies and organizations.
Available RTP funds shall be allocated using the following formula:
A separate Mini Grant Application is available upon request. This option is a new two-year pilot project under the Trails Grant Program beginning in federal fiscal year 1999. Up to $3,000 has been set aside for Mini Grants to be available to local governments, community volunteer groups, educational institutions, civic groups, or approved non-profit organizations with recreation trails in their goals. Grants may provide seed money to perform certain recreation trail activities or to provide training, to develop a trail, or to purchase educational tools or materials.
Prior to the issuance of Project Agreements from the FP&R, the Vermont office of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will review and approve all federally-funded (RTF) grant applications. Assuming all clearances and permits are in place, this approval will not take more than 14 days.
The Fund may be used to pay for publications where there will not be a charge. However, the Fund may be used for start-up costs for new publications where there will be a charge, excluding the direct costs ofprinting.
Project sponsors receiving funds for work on public lands will be required to enter into a separate agreement with the public agency(s) to undertake work prior to receiving a Project Agreement.
Project sponsors receiving approval for work on private lands must have a signed statement from each landowner that he or she grants permission for that trail to cross the land and understands the work that will be done. Public access to private lands must be secured.
All local, State, or Federal permits or other approvals required for the proposed work must be obtained prior to project approval. Refer to the Permits & Clearances Checklist and Environmental Survey in the application packet and the list of contacts later in this Guide.
Sponsors of projects to acquire an easement or purchase land in fee simple may be required to comply with the terms of Title II and Title III of the Uniform Relocation Assistance & Real Property Acquisition Policy Act of 1970, the applicable requirements and procedures implementing such Act, and other provisions of federal laws and orders as identified under the Project Agreement. Sponsors may not begin any acquisition procedures until you have checked with the FP&R regarding this requirement.
On-site inspections may be conducted by FP&R staff during the project period. The staffmay interview and review the sponsor's records related to environmental impacts, workmanship and progress, etc. A written report of the findings based upon factual information and observations, including recommendations for corrective actions if appropriate, will be provided to the sponsor. Deficiencies, ifany, shall then be corrected and reported to the FP&R within a reasonable time period.
