DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
NOTICE OF EXTENSION FOR GRANT APPLICATION SUBMISSION PERIOD FOR RECREATIONAL TRAILS PROGRAM
The Department of Environmental Protection (the “Department”) has established an application submission cycle and will accept grant applications for the Recreational Trails Program (“RTP”) for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 under the following terms:
APPLICATION SUBMISSION PERIOD: The Department has extended the scheduled application cycle and is accepting applications from November 12, 2018 through February 1, 2019. Completed applications must be postmarked on or before February 1, 2019.
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: Eligible applicants include all local governmental entities and state or federal agencies, federally or state recognized Indian tribal governments which have the legal responsibility for the provision of outdoor recreational sites and facilities for the use and benefit of the public, and active Florida nonprofit corporations which have an agreement with a governmental agency to develop public lands.
INELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: A grantee with two incomplete RTP projects by the closing date of the application submission period shall not be eligible to apply.
APPLICATION LIMIT PER SUBMISSION CYCLE: The maximum number of applications an applicant may submit shall be as follows: local governments may submit one; consolidated city-county government may submit two; nonprofit corporations may submit one; state and federal agencies may submit one per district.
ELIGIBLE PROJECT SITES: The site of a proposed RTP project shall be on public lands. The site shall be owned by the applicant or government on or before the closing date of the application submission period. A site not owned by the applicant or government shall be under the applicant’s or government’s control by a 99-year lease or similar control, such that the applicant has the legal ability to dedicate and manage the site for public recreational trail use pursuant to subsections 62S-2.076(1) and (2), F.A.C. School board property used primarily for educational or school related purposes is not eligible. In addition, nonprofit corporations must provide a letter from the land owner or managing agency stating that it supports the project and will abide by the compliance requirements of this rule, and the Guidance.
ELIGIBLE PROJECT TYPES: The primary purpose of the project must be for providing recreational trails for the public and may include Motorized Trail, Nonmotorized Trail, and Mixed-Use Trail projects which facilitate recreational trail use. Recreational Trail means a thoroughfare or track across land or water, used for recreational purposes such as bicycling, day hiking, equestrian activities, jogging or similar fitness activities, trail biking, overnight and long distance backpacking, roller skating, in-line skating, running, aquatic or water activity and vehicular travel by motorcycle, four-wheel drive, all terrain off-road vehicles or dune buggies per subsection 62S-2.070(39), F.A.C. Projects may include facilities such as boat launches, docks, and related facilities to create or enhance recreational trail opportunities.
PERMISSIBLE USES OF RTP GRANT FUNDS: Maintenance or renovation of existing trails; Development or renovation of trailside or trailhead facilities or trail linkages; Purchase of trail construction or maintenance equipment; Construction of new trails on local and state lands; Construction of new trails crossing federal lands; Operation of educational programs to promote safety and environmental protection which specifically relate to the uses of recreational trails, to the extent the Department has not chosen to use the educational funds in whole or in part, to further a statewide goal of the Greenways and Trails Plan.
MAXIMUM GRANT REQUEST: The maximum grant amount per project type is as follows: Nonmotorized Trail: $400,000; Mixed Use Trail: $500,000; Motorized Trail: $1,000,000. Grant awards are distributed on a reimbursement basis and are contingent upon an apportionment from the Federal Highway Administration and expenditure authorization by the Florida Legislature. Agreements will not be executed until on or after July 1, 2019.
MATCH REQUIREMENTS: The RTP grant is provided on a 50:50, 60:40, or 80:20 matching ratio (program:grantee).
APPLICATION PACKETS AND ADDITIONAL DETALS: RTP grant application packets and additional grant details may be obtained by visiting the website: https://floridadep.gov/lands/land-and-recreation-grants/content/recreational-trails-program. Applications are also available from the Department’s Division of State Lands, 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, Mail Station 585, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000. See also, Fla. Stat. §260.016, and F.A.C. Rule 62S-2 for specific application requirements, processing and evaluation criteria.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Telephone (850)245-2501, or email: Lauren.Cruz@floridadep.gov or Linda.Reeves@floridadep.gov.
