HOT! Need Trail Funds Ideas and Help

[Rut Row]

I got this email from the DNR as part of the working group - this is for Maryland only!

Got any ideas and want to put together a response?

Greetings,

It was very nice to see you all again last Friday. I thought the meeting went very well.

I am sorry it took me so long to get back to you regarding the Recreational Trails Fund, but I was waiting to hear back from Terry Maxwell at SHA.

Terry has agreed to open up a mini-solicitation for FY12 RTP funds to the motorized trail user group in order to meet the required 30% motorized funding requirement for the program. The deadline for applications is October 30th.

*Please read the e-mail from Terry below.*

Cheers!

STEVE CARR
Land Trails Planner
Land Acquisition & Planning
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
580 Taylor Avenue, E-4
Annapolis, MD 21401
PH: 410-260-8478
FAX: 410-260-8404
scarr@dnr.state.md.us
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~~~~ (*)/'(*)
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Recreational Trail Sponsors:



Each year Maryland is apportioned National Recreational Trails Program funds through the Federal Surface Transportation Equity Act for disbursement to qualifying projects. These funds, administered by the Maryland State Highway Administration, have made it possible for communities across the State to develop, improve and maintain trails in order to provide access to Maryland’s awesome natural and recreational resources.



We are always looking for eligible projects, and invite you to consider applying for National Recreational Trails Program funds for your recreational trail projects. To learn more about eligible project types and program criteria, as well as accessing a digital application, visit the following website: http://roads.maryland.gov/Index.aspx?PageId=98 Also, please be advised that this is an 80/20 percent reimbursement program, and not a grant program. Awarded funds will be used to reimburse sponsors for 80 percent of the expenditures incurred; invoicing is done on a monthly basis once construction or purchase of materials/equipment is started. The funds are limited and therefore awarded to the most qualified projects in an amount cannot exceed $40,000 for trail construction and $30,000 for non-construction.. Eligible projects include:



· Maintenance and restoration of existing trails;



· Development and rehabilitation of trailside and trailhead facilities and trail linkages for recreation and transportation oriented trails



· Purchase and lease of recreational trail construction and maintenance equipment;



· Construction of new recreational trials;



· Acquisition of easement and fee simple title to property for recreational trail purposes;



· Implementation of interpretive/educational programs to promote intrinsic qualities, alternative transportation, safety, and environmental protection, as those objectives relate to the use of recreational trails.



Applications for this year’s funds are being accepted until October 30 2011 . Please submit to:



Recreational Trails Program

Office of Environmental Design

State Highway Administration

707 North Calvert Street

Baltimore, MD 21202



Awards will be made subject to Maryland's receipt of its fiscal year 2012 Federal Fund allocation for the program. Thank you for your interest in the National Recreational Trails Program. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.



Please visit the following websites as a reference for critical information related to trail development in MD as you complete your FY12 RTP application:

http://www.mdot.maryland.gov/Planning/Trails/Index.html

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/land/MD_Trai ... _in_MD.asp

http://mesgis.com/mdtrails/index.html





Thanks again,



Terry Maxwell

Maryland Scenic Byways/Recreational Trails

Office of Environmental Design

State Highway Administration

707 N Calvert Street

Baltimore, MD 21201

410-545-8637 (p)

410-209-5003 (f)

tmaxwell@sha.state.md.us

http://www.marylandroads.com

[Junior]

[Ovo]

Projects:

Activities eligible for funding within this program include:

- maintenance and restoration of existing recreational trail
- development and rehabilitation of trailside facilities and trail linkages
- purchase and lease of trail construction equipment
- construction of new trails
- acquisition of easements or property for recreational trails or recreational trail corridors
- implementation of interpretive/educational programs to promote intrinsic qualities, safety, and environmental protection, as those objectives relate to the use of recreational trails

Preference will be to projects which:

have broad-based community support
provide linkages to or complete existing trails
provide improvements to a trail in order to benefit or mitigate impacts to the natural environment
will be accomplished with youth conservation or service groups to perform construction and maintenance



I VOTE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW TRAILS, SINCE WE LOST GREEN RIDGE.

[Rut Row]

I did point out to them the irony of saying they have trail maintenance money AFTER they close GR for maintenance and erosion issues.

[Grady]

Has anyone looked into Elk neck state forest (or park, I'm not sure which one it is). There are existing trails that are on surrounding private land and ones that cross onto the state property. I haven't rode there in a while, due to strict state enforcemement, but there are currently trails there that are used by offroad vehicles illegaly. Any chance these could be opened up for use.

[b3h]

"The funds are limited and therefore awarded to the most qualified projects in an amount cannot exceed $40,000 for trail construction and $30,000 for non-construction"

40 K might be enough for the parkin lot.

They should be able to grab a ton of money from the sales of OHV bikes and atv's that the state has been collecting. The DNR probably has some cash stashed away for land purchases.

[Rut Row]

They should be able to grab a ton of money from the sales of OHV bikes and atv's that the state has been collecting. The DNR probably has some cash stashed away for land purchases.

unfortunately that money goes to DMV and not DNR - we discussed that at the last meeting.

[b3h]

Exactly. Won't get anywhere with the DMV asking nicely for the funds, got to get a legislator to sleezel word a bill that will dedicate some funds from the DMV to the DNR for this effort. They charge sales tax and other fees for OHV bikes and Atv's a portion of that should goto settin up this program to be fluid for the future. It may be worth an effort to ask the DNR to ask the DMV for funds between the agencies. If the DMV says no then ya gotta have legislation. IMO the DNR will want to get out of this business somewhere down the line. It's just an expense for them and quite frankly, not thier job unless it's state owned property. They are being nice by helping to find somewhere else for us after taking all the state owned properties away.

edit: It's up to us as users to get what we want and manage it for the future. Can't rely on good intentioned agency officials as they get told what to do by the current administration. It's got to be our tax dollars and program with the state funding it from user fees along with state legal protections with these leased properties.

[Ovo]

Has anyone looked into Elk neck state forest (or park, I'm not sure which one it is). There are existing trails that are on surrounding private land and ones that cross onto the state property. I haven't rode there in a while, due to strict state enforcement, but there are currently trails there that are used by offroad vehicles illegally. Any chance these could be opened up for use.

I like that idea, then I wouldn't have to drive 4 hours to a place to ride in this state.

I mean really we have this money but we only have a few miles of trails to maintain and most are in Garrett County. At least the ones that I know of. I wouldn't know where to begin to even get someone to consider Elk Neck or any other area.

Maybe we could use the funds to promote (advertise, police escort, etc...) a Dual Sport, ATV, motorcross ride to Marylands Capital Building to show the need and demand for ORV trails. Got this idea from a ride that took place in Utah early this year in August. Maybe this would help get some attention!!!

See the Utah Ride here:
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/50179 ... y.html.csp

[Rut Row]

Has anyone looked into Elk neck state forest (or park, I'm not sure which one it is). There are existing trails that are on surrounding private land and ones that cross onto the state property. I haven't rode there in a while, due to strict state enforcemement, but there are currently trails there that are used by offroad vehicles illegaly. Any chance these could be opened up for use.

Park - just looked it up - can you take a Google map and draw in roughly where the trails are I'll bring it up.