Recreational Trails Program

The current RTP authorization under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) expires on Sept. 30, 2009. To learn more about reauthorization proposals, visit http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/rectrails/stam2008/reauth_summ.htm
OGALS will update its RTP website as more information becomes available.

Recreational Trails Program Guidelines:
The California Department of Parks and Recreation has approved regulations for the Recreational Trails Program. (Title 14, California Code of Regulations Chapter 11.7, Section 4860)
The regulations will incorporate the procedural guide and become effective on August 14, 2008.

Procedure Guide, Final, June 4, 2007
(Valid for applications submitted beginning in 2008)
(PDF DOC / MS DOC)

Draft Procedure Guide (Dated 2007):
(Valid for applications submitted in 2007)
(PDF DOC / MS DOC)

Procedure Guide (Dated 2006):
(Valid for applications submitted in 2006)
(PDF DOC / MS DOC)

Procedure Guide (Dated 1999):
(Valid for applications submitted prior to 2006)
(PDF DOC / MS DOC)

Program Overview: The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) provides funds annually for recreational trails and trails-related projects. The RTP is administered at the federal level by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). It is administered at the state level by the California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). Non-motorized projects are administered by the Department’s Office of Grants and Local Services and motorized projects are administered by the Department’s Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division.

Eligible Applicants:

Cities and Counties

Districts

State Agencies

Federal Agencies

Non-Profit Organizations with management responsibilities of public lands

Match Requirement: The maximum amount of RTP funds allowed for each project is 88% of the total project cost. The applicant is responsible for obtaining a match amount that is at least 12% of the total project cost.

Eligible Match Sources:

State funds, including State Grant funds.

Local funds, including general funds and bond funds.

Private funds.

Donated materials and services.

Value of donated land (for Acquisition projects only).

Other federal funds.

Application Filing Deadline: Applications must be postmarked or delivered no later than October 1, 2009.

Send non-motorized applications to:
     California State Parks
     Office of Grants and Local Services
     P.O. Box 942896
     Sacramento, CA 94296-0001

Send motorized applications to:
     California State Parks
     Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division
     P.O. Box 942896
     Sacramento, CA 94296-0001

Maximum and Minimum Grant Request: There is no maximum or minimum limit on grant request amounts.

PowerPoint Overview of the RTP
   More information about the motorized component of the RTP,
   More information about the RTP at the federal level

Technical Assistance Workshops regarding RTP Federal Application Requirements

Due to various circumstances, the Department will not be conducting technical assistance workshops regarding the federal application requirements in the near future. However, more information about these requirements can be found in the following PowerPoint Presentation.

After reviewing this presentation, questions about meeting the federal application requirements for non-motorized projects can be directed to Project Officer Natalie Bee at nbee@parks.ca.gov or (916) 651-0564. Questions about meeting the federal application requirements for motorized projects can be directed to RTP Motorized Grant Administrator Dan Canfield at dcanfield@parks.ca.gov or (916) 324-1574.

Federal Application Requirements for the RTP:

All applicants are required to comply with the following:

1. Compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and documentation*.

2. Completion of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 process and documentation, and

3. Listing of the project on either the State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) or a local Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), as applicable.

4. For acquisition projects, applicants must obtain an appraisal that conforms to the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions (UASFLA).

*Note that federal applicants must complete NEPA prior to the October 1 application due date. Non-federal applicants must complete NEPA as soon as possible after the State recommends the project for funding. For all applicants, requirements listed in #2, 3 and 4 above may be completed after the State recommends the project funding.

More information about these federal application requirements can also be found in the RTP Procedural Guide, dated June 4, 2007, on page 51.

Partnership Opportunities:
The Recreational Trails Program encourages applicants to develop cooperative agreements with qualified youth conservation or service corps to perform trail construction and maintenance. The California Conservation Corps (CCC) is one of the many organizations that can assist with trail construction, maintenance, repair and restoration. To learn more about how the CCC might be able to assist you, please call (916) 341-3100 or visit the CCC’s Website.

California State Parks Statewide Trails Section:
The Statewide Trails Section provides education and technical assistance to trail managers, recreation providers, open space managers and non-governmental trails and greenways advocates on non-motorized trail planning, design, construction, funding and management throughout California. To learn more, call (916) 653-9901 or click here.

RTP Funding Recommendations Announced 2008 / 2009:
  (Recommended / Not Recommended)