05-22-2007, 10:10 PM
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) awarded more than $1.7 million in Recreational Trail Program grants for 37 trail development and maintenance projects. "These projects will help expand and preserve current trail recreation opportunities in Minnesota," said Andrew Korsberg, DNR Trail Program coordinator.
The Recreational Trail Program provides matching grants up to $100,000 to units of government for local and statewide projects that expand or maintain outdoor trail recreation opportunities. Grants are funded from federal gas tax revenues to the Federal Highway Trust Fund attributed to recreational use and are distributed nationally for trail related projects.
"These funds provide needed rehabilitation and maintenance of existing trails as well as create additional trails throughout Minnesota," Korsberg said. "Projects funded are diverse, and promote recreation opportunities for many different trail users - from snowmobile users to mountain bikers."
The Minnesota Recreational Trail Users Association makes recommendations to the DNR on which projects receive funding. The association is made up of volunteer representatives from 10 recreational user groups, including members who represent ATV users, bicyclists, cross-country skiers, equestrians, hikers, inline skaters, mountain bikers, off-highway motorcyclists, off-highway truck users and snowmobile users.
This year the DNR received 61 requests for more than $3.5 million.
The Recreational Trail Program was first established in the Intermodal Surface Transporation Efficiency Act of 1991. Minnesota has annually provided trail grants since 1996. Currently, the Recreational Trail Program is authorized and funded from the 2005 federal transportation funding bill.
More information on the Recreational Trail Program and a list of funded projects can be found at www.dnr.state.mn.us.
The Recreational Trail Program provides matching grants up to $100,000 to units of government for local and statewide projects that expand or maintain outdoor trail recreation opportunities. Grants are funded from federal gas tax revenues to the Federal Highway Trust Fund attributed to recreational use and are distributed nationally for trail related projects.
"These funds provide needed rehabilitation and maintenance of existing trails as well as create additional trails throughout Minnesota," Korsberg said. "Projects funded are diverse, and promote recreation opportunities for many different trail users - from snowmobile users to mountain bikers."
The Minnesota Recreational Trail Users Association makes recommendations to the DNR on which projects receive funding. The association is made up of volunteer representatives from 10 recreational user groups, including members who represent ATV users, bicyclists, cross-country skiers, equestrians, hikers, inline skaters, mountain bikers, off-highway motorcyclists, off-highway truck users and snowmobile users.
This year the DNR received 61 requests for more than $3.5 million.
The Recreational Trail Program was first established in the Intermodal Surface Transporation Efficiency Act of 1991. Minnesota has annually provided trail grants since 1996. Currently, the Recreational Trail Program is authorized and funded from the 2005 federal transportation funding bill.
More information on the Recreational Trail Program and a list of funded projects can be found at www.dnr.state.mn.us.