Presenter: Andy Goldbloom

Commission Agenda Item No. 7
Action
National Recreational Trail Fund Grants
August 1999

I. Discussion: In May 1998, Congress re-authorized the National Recreational Trails Fund (NRTF) through a provision in the Federal Highway Bill. This provision dictates that a portion of the federal gas tax generated by gasoline purchases to utilize off-road recreational vehicles, such as dirt bikes and four-wheelers, be diverted to a fund to create new and maintain existing recreational trails. At the federal level, this fund is administered by the Federal Highway Administration and distributed to states via a formula that takes into account state population and sales of fuel for off-road recreational vehicles. Nationwide, the program was appropriated $40 million for the current fiscal year (FY99), Texas’ share of these funds is $1,851,942.

A federal requirement of the NRTF is that 30% of the funds must be spent on motorized recreational trails, 30% on non-motorized trails, with the remaining 40% discretionary. Last year we did not receive enough requests for motorized funds to satisfy the 30% requirement and carried $287,519 of FY98 motorized funds into this fiscal year. In addition, a few previously funded project were completed under budget and two projects were withdrawn creating another $62,304 available for reallocation this year.

In March 1999, a 90 day call for proposals was issued in the Texas Register. Cities, counties, state and federal parks and trail related groups were directly notified by mail of the availability of the trail funds. Sixty-five projects were submitted for funding consideration requesting almost $3.8 million in funds.

The Act that created this fund stipulates that states must have a trails advisory board made up of various trail user group representatives to be eligible to receive the federal funds. The purpose of the trails advisory board is to provide guidance in the distribution of these funds. The twelve member, Texas Trails Advisory Board met at Bastrop State Park in June to review the submitted trail project proposals and develop a list of recommended projects for funding. Each project was reviewed by the advisory board and ranked based on the quality of the project, its cost effectiveness, and its impact on recreational trail opportunities. Exhibit A contains the list of submitted projects, with funds requested by each sponsor, funding recommended by the advisory board and a description of each project. As allowed by law, the Department may utilize up to 7% of the state's share to cover administrative costs associated with this program. The small amount remaining after budgeting for projects and administration will be used for the program next year.

II. Recommendation: The staff recommends the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopt the following motion:

"Funding for 41 projects recommended in Exhibit A in the amount of $2,072,130 is approved."

Attachments - 2

1. Exhibit A – Project Listing and Funding Recommendations
2. Exhibit B - Fiscal Note (Available Upon Request)

Commission Agenda Item No. 7
Exhibit A

National Recreational Trail Fund
Recommended Project Funding

Uses: B = Bicycling; S = Skating; D = Disabled; W = Walking; E = Equestrian