2010-052 RES APPROVING THE EXECUTION OF AN APPLICATION FOR THE TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE

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Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Texas Recreational Trails Fund RECREATIONAL TRAILS GRANT The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department) administers the National Recreational Trails Fund in Texas under the approval of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). This federally funded program receives its funding from a portion of federal gas taxes paid on fuel used in non-highway recreational vehicles. Funds can be spent on both motorized and non- motorized recreational trail projects. . Construction of new recreational trails • Improve existing trails • Develop trailheads or trailside facilities, and . Acquire trail corridors. THIS IS A REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM Funding provided by this program is on a cost reimbursement basis. Project sponsors must initiate their approved projects with their own funds and be reimbursed up to 80 percent of allowable costs after submitting documentation of expenses. Individual trail grants can range from $4,000 ($5,000 total project cost) to $200,000 ($250,000 total project cost). Projects will be selected for funding with the help of the Texas Trails Advisory Board made up of both motorized and non-motorized trail users. Selected projects must comply with FHWA funding requirements and be in accordance with all state and federal laws, and executive orders. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission will authorize funding for selected projects based on the recommendations of the Texas Trails Advisory Board. WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE FUNDS Eligible applicants include: • Cities, • Counties, • State agencies (including TPWD state parks and wildlife management areas) • Other governmental bodies created under state law such as river authorities, water districts, municipal utiliry districts, or public school districts, . Federal land managers, • Private not for profit organizations (e.g. trail user groups, conservation clubs, Friends of the Park") For purposes of implementing the Texas Recreational Trails Fund (TRTF), organizations must be incorporated with the Secretary of State or must have filed with the county to do business in Texas. Private motorized recreation providers. This fund is generated by the gasoline tax paid by off-road motorized trail riders so 30% of these funds must go toward motorized trail projects. Historically, we have had difficulty finding government and non-profit sponsors for motorized trail projects. To address this situation, we allow private entities that provide public off-road motorized recreational trail opportunities to apply for grants of up to $40,000 for construction of public amenities. The following conditions apply to the proposals received from private motorized recreation providers. o Site must be open to the general public at regularly scheduled and posted days and times. o Site must have been open to the pubtic for at least one year prior to receiving grant funding. o Grants are to be used for construction of public amenities such as parking/staging areas, restrooms, signing, erosion control, fencing, and resource assessments/protection. o Acquisition of land is not permitted. o A statement from the land owner indicating that the project is expected to remain available to the public for at least 10 years is required. Deed restrictions or other legally binding statements of purpose are not required. o Federally funded construction projects require resource analysis to assure that construction activities do not impact cultural (archeological) and natural (endangered species) resources prior to construction. Only one entity will be considered the sponsor of any proposal. Even though projects are encouraged to be undertaken as partnerships, the sponsor for the project will be the one who signs the Project Agreement, is responsible to account for the costs incurred, and will receive the reimbursements. If the land owner is different from the sponsor, application must include documentafion of the owner's willingness to allow the trail.