Guide for Project Sponsors
» Contact your State (http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/rectrails/rtpstate.htm) to ascertain the application deadlines, program requirements, and criteria for project selection. Applications are available on most State websites.
» Prepare a project development plan. Identify the issues and steps that are critical to the project development process. What are the trail needs? What can you do realistically?
» What are the planning requirements? Does your project meet the goals of, a statewide or metropolitan transportation plan and/or a statewide trail plan? Projects using FHWA funds must be incorporated into a statewide transportation improvement program (STIP) or, if in a metropolitan area, in a metropolitan transportation improvement program (TIP).
» Develop a workable project that meets the program requirements and eligible categories.
» Get public support for the project. How does the project benefit the community? Are there other potential project sponsors?
» Find other funding sources. Some State or local governments may provide matching funds, but the project sponsor often has to provide most or all the match. Note: you can use RTP funds to match other Federal programs, or use other Federal funds to match RTP funds.
» Consider donations of materials and services, including volunteer labor.
» Consider how to involve youth conservation or service corps in the project. (See http://www.corpsnetwork.org/ for information on youth corps.)
» Consider training and skill needs for staff, volunteers, youth corps, contractors, or others. (See links to training opportunities at http://www.NTTP.net.
» Develop a good project design, keeping safety and security in mind.
» Consider the natural environment in which the project is located.
» Consider community benefits.
» Consider user needs and desires, including use by people with disabilities.
» Consider potential problems:- Environmental impacts — these must be minimized and mitigated, and may require some documentation.
- Permits — various permits may be needed before submitting the project proposal.
- Possible opposition — some individuals may oppose a project for various reasons, including concerns about property rights, liability, safety, security, noise, and historic archaeological or environmental impacts.
» Complete the project application: - Make sure you fill it out completely — States often reject incomplete applications.
- Make sure you fill it out clearly — exactly what are you going to do?
- Make sure you fill it out accurately — make sure numbers add up and facts check out.
- Don’t ask for funds for items that aren’t eligible — you risk the rest of your application.
- Don’t add information that isn’t necessary for project approval; it may make your application confusing and it wastes time for reviewers.
- Don’t generate letters of support unless the State requires them, and then limit the letters to what the State requires. Most letter-writing campaigns only annoy reviewers because these letters rarely add any substance for them to consider.
» If your project is approved, get to work! States will withdraw project approval if a sponsor does not show evidence of project progress within a reasonable time frame.
Some potential RTP projects may be eligible for other FHWA funding programs. For more program information, access the following sources:
» Recreational Trails Program: www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/rectrails
» Transportation Enhancement Activities: www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/te
» National Scenic Byways Program: www.bywaysonline.org
» Federal Lands Highways Program: flh.fhwa.dot.gov/
For projects on Federal lands, contact your local Federal Land Management agency. These agencies may apply for RTP, TE, and Byways funds through the States. A few States require Federal land management agencies to apply through a unit of State or local government.
