2017 Recreational Trails Program Grants Awarded

HELENA - Montana State Parks announced that 54 trail organizations, communities and various land-managing agencies throughout Montana will receive federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP) federal grant awards for their projects in 2017. This included Swan Valley Connections and the Seeley Lake Nordic Ski Club. 

Sixty-nine RTP applications were received this year from a variety of eligible applicants, including federal and state agencies, towns, cities, counties, and private trail clubs and organizations. 

 The funds are appropriated to the states through legislation passed by Congress called the FAST Act (Fixing America’s Surface Transportation) that provides funding for the program through 2020.  The Recreational Trails Program current awards total approximately $1.66 million in federal funds.  Funds have been approved and will be allocated to the highest-scoring 54 projects based upon their relative scores and State Trails Advisory Committee recommendations.

 The RTP awards grants through an annual competitive application process. Projects can range from construction and maintenance of trails, development of trailside and trailhead facilities, avalanche education and trainings, and interpretive programs.

 Swan Valley Connections received $45,000 for the Mission Mountains Wilderness and Swan Front Trails and Backcountry Services Project.

Seeley Lake Nordic Ski Club secured $18,100 to help improve the Seeley Creek Nordic Ski Trails.

 For a complete list of the successful 2017 Recreational Trails Program grant recipients visit: http://stateparks.mt.gov/recreation/rtpGrants.html