Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968, 16 U.S.C. 1271-1287
as amended, Public Law 90-542; National Trails System Act, 16 U.S.C. 1241 as
amended, Public Law 90-543; Outdoor Recreation Act of 1963, 16 U.S.C. 4601-3,
Public Law 88-29; Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 797-828c.
Pre-application Coordination:
Program advice and information is available from the appropriate NPS Regional
Office. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102
and E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure:
Information is available electronically at http://www.nps.gov/rtca
or may contact the program leader for Rivers, Trails and Conservation
Assistance in the appropriate NPS Regional Office. This program is excluded
from coverage under OMB Circular Nos. A-102 and A-110.
Award Procedure: Decisions
are based upon adherence to program criteria and the level of available staff
time.
Deadlines: Proposals should
be submitted by July 1 for the following fiscal year.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:
Varies regionally; generally about 4 months.
Appeals: Not applicable.
Renewals: Projects are
sometimes renewed for 1 or 2 years.
ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula and Matching Requirements:
No fixed amount. Cooperators must demonstrate commitment of cost-sharing which
may include donations of time, cash and services.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:
Generally 1 to 2 years.
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports: None.
Audits: None.
Records: None.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Account Identification:
14-1042-0-1-303.
Obligations: (Salaries and
expenses) FY 01 $8,088,000; FY 02 est $8,213,000; and FY 03 est $8,228,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance:
Not applicable. Staff assistance only.
NPS Rivers & Trails has played a major role in
community conservation and recreation through citizen-led, partnership
approaches to river protection, trail development and land conservation.
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
Project reports are available from NPS offices and the
Web.
INFORMATION CONTACTS:
Regional or Local Office:
Applicants are requested to communicate with National Park Service Regional
Offices. Refer to Catalog Appendix IV or the web site for addresses.
Headquarters Office: Chief,
Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance, National Park Service, 1849 C
Street, NW. (MS-3622-MIS), Washington, DC 20240. Telephone: (202) 565-1200.
Web Site Address: http://www.nps.gov/rtca
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
Develop new trails and greenways; protect and restore
river resources, access and views; convert abandoned railways to multi-purpose
trails; promote and develop systems of trails and greenways; conserve open
space; establish new conservation organizations and alliances. Examples of
Rivers & Trails projects include: (1) The Lakes-To-Locks Water Trail in
Puget Sound includes over 100 miles of shoreline and 100 launch and landing
sites. The Rivers & Trails Program worked with the Washington Water Trails
Association to build a broad-based constituency, to provide assistance in
trail development, marketing, and map publication, and to help empower our
partners to see their project goals come to life. (2) In New York, a 15-mile
multi-use trail is being planned to connect four state parks and the
communities of Ithaca and Trumansburg. Rivers & Trails facilitates
community involvement in the planning for the Black Diamond Trail, one success
of which was to organize a Community Volunteer Work Day bringing together a
local hospital, college students, youth groups and neighbors. (3) Along the
Los Angeles River, Rivers & Trails worked with Los Angeles County to
complete a master plan which has spun off multiple open space projects.
Recently, the opening of the one-mile Los Feliz section was celebrated by
volunteers, neighborhood residents, and representatives of government
associated with the project. The Los Angeles River offers an example of an
effort enjoying lasting success. (4) Rivers & Trails Philadelphia based
staff are developing one of our first partnerships with the health care
community in a project known as Wyoming Valley Wellness Trails in Luzerne
county, Pennsylvania. The project goal is the development of a sustainable
partnership that will implement a trail system in a region with a strong
community health initiative while providing opportunities for public
participation through workshops and information meetings.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
Project should have clear, measurable objectives and
must be designed to have a significant, cost- effective impact on an issue and
lead to tangible conservation of significant resources. Each project must
demonstrate cooperation and commitment among affected public agencies and
private interests and have significant public involvement. Further details
regarding project requirements are available from NPS offices.
