Hi Jody,

I apologize if you already received this.  Perhaps this is something you could forward to the CBC?  It would be good to have some mountain bicyclist representation on the Recreational Trail Program Committee.

Paul

___________________________________
Paul B. Brewster, Associate Planner
brewstp@...
Thurston Regional Planning Council
2424 Heritage Court SW, Suite A
Olympia, WA  98502
Phone:  (360) 956-7575
Fax:  (360) 956-7815
Website:  www.trpc.org ***************************************************************
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Trail Grants Program News

As a trail enthusiast, I'm writing to you to let you know about changes in the trail grant programs and to solicit your help.

a) Volunteers Needed to Help with Trail Grant Programs

The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office is looking for volunteers to serve on two trail advisory committees:

4       Nonhighway and Off-road Vehicle Activities Advisory Committee

4       Recreational Trails Program Advisory Committee (formerly the National Recreational Trails Program)

Committee members review and evaluate grant proposals. Members also assist with grant program policy development as needed. We are looking for volunteers to represent:

Nonhighway and Off-road Vehicle Activities (NOVA) Grant Program: Provides grants to help plan, acquire land, develop, and maintain facilities for trails and off-road vehicle parks. The program also funds trail education and law enforcement grants.

Volunteers are needed to represent:

4       Federal government agency land managers

4       Local law enforcement agencies

4       Outdoor recreationists, such as hikers, equestrians, backpackers, cross-country skiers, hunters, anglers, wildlife viewers, gatherers, etc.

4       All-terrain vehicle riding recreationists

Recreational Trails Program (RTP): Provides grants to help maintain trails and provide trail safety and education programs.

Volunteers are needed to represent:

4       State residents interested in trails (for example, land use planners, public policy specialists, statisticians, or other specialists with an knowledge of backcountry trails and closely related issues)

4       Equestrians

4       Off-road vehicle motorcycle recreationists

Applications are due no later than Feb. 13.

For more details, visit: http://www.rco.wa.gov/documents/Press_Releases/2009/2009-01-08.htm  and for the application, visit:

http://www.rco.wa.gov/rcfb/temp/adv_cmte_recruit_forms.htm

b)      Trail Grant Applications Due April 1, 2009

The Recreation and Conservation Office will accept applications for grants in two trail and off-road vehicle programs this year:

?       Nonhighway and Off-road Vehicle Activities

?       Recreational Trails Program (formerly the National Recreational Trails Program)

Applications are due one month earlier – April 1, 2009. By this date applicants should complete their online application in PRISM.

The two grant programs fund development, planning, maintenance, operation, education, enforcement and trail safety programs on backcountry trails and in off-road areas. For details visit www.rco.wa.gov/rcfb/grants.

c)      70 percent of biennium's NOVA grants awarded in 2009

Get your applications in this year because, unlike previous years, the majority of the money will be awarded in November 2009 for the biennium, based on a policy approved by the Recreation and Conservation Funding Board in 2008. In past years, the money was generally split equally between both years of the biennium. Grant awards in 2009 will include development, maintenance, operations, planning, and education and enforcement. For details visit http://www.rco.wa.gov/rcfb/grants/nova_news.htm

Need more information?

Lorinda Anderson

360-902-3009

(TDD at 360-902-1996).

lorinda.anderson@...