Tribal Transportation

Tribal Transportation Funding Resources

E. Other Funding Programs

E.1 Outdoor Recreation, Acquisition, Development and Planning Program

Program Purpose: The purpose of the Outdoor Recreation, Acquisition, Development and Planning program is to assist States and their political subdivisions in (a) preparing Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plans (SCORPs) and (b) acquiring and developing outdoor recreation areas and facilities for the general public.

Program Eligibility: Eligible activities include:

• Outdoor recreation projects for picnic areas, campgrounds, tennis courts, boat launching ramps, bike trails, outdoor swimming pools and support facilities such as roads
• Revision and update of existing SCORPs including planning, statewide surveys, technical studies, data collection and analysis and other planning purposes related to SCORP refinement and improvement

Other:

1. The funded facilities must be open to the general public and not limited to special groups. Every site acquired or developed with program assistance must remain available and accessible for public outdoor use in perpetuity.
2. Basic - not elaborate - facilities are favored for funding.
3. Program funds may not be used for the operation and maintenance of facilities. States must demonstrate a maintenance-of-effort.
4. The Governor must appoint a State Liaison Officer to administer the program. The officer must furnish assurance that the project is in accordance with the State SCORP.
5. Project proposals are submitted to the US DoI - National Park Service through the State Liaison Officer. The officer makes the determination on project eligibility, priority need and level and ranking of fund assistance.
6. Not more than 50% of project cost may be federally-financed. Under certain conditions, all or part of the project local match may be from other federal assistance programs.
7. 40% of the first $225M, 30% of the next $275M and 20% of all additional appropriations is apportioned equally among the States. The remaining is apportioned on the basis of need.
8. "States" are defined as the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Island, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Island and Guam.
9. Indian Tribal Governments qualify for program assistance.

Program Contact: US DoI, NPS, State and Local Assistance Program, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, DC 20240. (202) 354-6900.

• http://www.nps.gov/ncrc/programs/lwcf/index.htm

E.2 Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program

Program Purpose: The purpose of the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program is to implement the resource conservation and outdoor recreation objectives of the National Park Service in communities across America. The intent is to create local, regional and state networks of parks, rivers, trails, greenways and open spaces by collaborating with community partners in every State.

Program Eligibility: Eligible activities include:

• Development and redevelopment of new and existing trail and greenway systems
• Conservation and restoration of river resources, access and views
• Conversion of abandoned railways to multi-purpose trails
• Preservation of open space
• Establishment of new conservation organizations and alliances

Other:

1. This program provides advisory services and counseling. There are no direct grant awards. Staff from the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program work directly with awarded applicants.
2. Private non-profit organizations and federal, state and local governments are eligible.
3. Assistance is for one (1) year and may be renewed for a second year if warranted.
4. The criteria for selecting program assistance proposals include:
   • Initial project partners are identified and a lead project partner is designated. The lead partner may be a federal, state or local agency, Tribal government, non-profit organization or citizens' group.
   • The roles and contributions of project partners are identified.
   • The project has clearly stated goals and measurable results are anticipated.
   • The project supports the NPS and RTCA mission and goals.
   • The project protects important natural resources or enhances outdoor recreation.
   • The lead project partners are committed to significant public involvement and outreach.
   • The lead project partners are committed to cooperate and provide or obtain the resources necessary to implement the project.
   • Evidence of broad support.
5. Preference is given to projects that:
   • Provide physical connections among resources
   • Include a NPS area as a project partner
   • Incorporate both resource conservation and outdoor recreation
   • Partner within a health organization

Program Contact: US DoI, NPS, Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program, 1849 C Street, NW, Org. Code 2220, Washington, D.C. 20240. (202) 354-6900.

• http://www.nps.gov/ncrc/programs/rtca/index.htm