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Overview:
This program funds the development
of community-based, motorized and non-motorized recreational trail projects. The program
provides funds for all kinds of recreational trail uses, such as pedestrian uses (hiking,
running, wheelchair use), bicycling, in-line skating, equestrian use, cross-country skiing,
off-road motorcycling, all-terrain vehicle riding, four-wheel driving.
Funding:
Administered by the State Highway
Administration (SHA), this program matches federal funds with local funds or in-kind
contributions to implement trail projects. Projects can be sponsored by a county or municipal
government, a private non-profit agency, a community group or an individual (non-governmental
agencies must secure an appropriate government agency as a co-sponsor).
Federal funds administered by the State
Highway Administration are available for up to 80% of the project cost, matched by at least
20% funding from the project sponsor. Matching funds must be committed and documented in the
local jurisdiction's budget. A Memorandum of Understanding outlining funding and project
implementation responsibilities will be prepared by SHA and signed by all parties before the
project funds are released.
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
Eligibility of Project Components:
Projects must meet Federal ADA requirements as well as
state and federal environmental regulatory requirements (NEPA, MEPA, Section 106, Section 4(f)).
SHA will provide assistance to the project sponsor to acquire these approvals.
Prior property acquisition may be counted
as an in-kind contribution if it occurred within two years of the proposal submission.
Approval Process:
Potential project sponsors must submit an application,
which is screened then forwarded to the Recreational Trails Advisory Committee for review. The
recommendation of the Technical Committee and the proposal are forwarded to the Secretary of the
Department of Transportation for approval, partial approval or rejection. The chief elected official
of the jurisdiction will be notified in writing if the project is approved.
The project sponsor must receive written
notification from SHA before the project can proceed.
For Further Information see Important Documents or Contact:
Recreational Trails Coordinator
Maryland State Highway Administration
Office of Environmental Design
Mail Stop C-303
P.O. Box 717
Baltimore, MD 21203-0717
Phone: 410-545-8640 or 1-800-446-5962
FAX: 410-209-5003
e-mail: tmaxwell@sha.state.md.us
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FY
2009 Grant Announcement (PDF, 30kb)
Project Guidelines (PDF,
226kb)
Grant Application (PDF, 157kb)
Sample Application (PDF, 157kb)
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