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Grant Money Boon for Trails

April 01, 2009 - Snowmobile clubs across Maine will benefit from the more than $1.4 million in Recreational Trails Program grants from the federal highway administration.

The program is funded through a percentage of gasoline taxes paid by operators of off-highway recreational vehicles. Final approval will take place any day now. The amount to be awarded in 2009 is nearly a half-million more than was awarded in 2008.

"Most of these groups really don't have the money to do major projects, and a lot of work is done with volunteers," said Mick Rogers, manager of the grants in the community recreation program for the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands. "Without this money, some of the trails would be closed down for sure."

One of the largest grants – $87,000 – has been awarded to the Snow Valley Sno-Goers Snowmobile Club in Andover. The money will be used for the reconstruction of a bridge that spans 140 feet across the Ellis River as part of ITS-82. The bridge was originally constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers more than 30 years ago. It collapsed in January 2008 into the river just after a group of snowmobilers had crossed it.

Other recipients include the Blue Ridge Snowmobile Club in Rockland – $30,000 to restore a trail – and the Portage Lake Snowmobile Club, which received $13,000 for re-decking a bridge.

"The funding is available in two major categories – we can request it for state projects where the state is directly administering the funds or the funds can be available through clubs or towns for trails," said Scott Ramsay, director of the off-road vehicle division for the Maine Department of Conservation. "We can take advantage of that funding from time to time for larger projects and just not maintaining a culvert here or there. We have used it on a number of different projects on multi-use rail trails."

The funding is dispersed among three types of recreational trails – 30 percent for motorized-use trails, 30 percent for non-motorized-use trails and 40 percent for multi-use projects.

Eligible projects include:

• Maintenance and restoration of existing recreational trails, development and rehabilitation.

• Development and rehabilitation of trail side and trail head facilities and trail linkages for recreational trails.

• Construction of new recreational trails.

• Acquisition of easements to property for recreational trails or recreational trail corridors.

• Operation of educational programs to promote safety and environmental protection as those objectives relate to use of recreational trails.

Those interested in applying for the next round of grants need to do some homework as part of the application process. For example, groups need to have landowner permission, DEP permits and meet other requirements (when applicable).

While the application deadline is in November, clubs and organizations are urged to start the application process before then in case they hit some snags along the way.

SEASON WINDING DOWN

This is a reminder that we are nearing the end of a great snowmobiling season that featured abundant and early-season snowfall. There is still some great snowmobiling in the northern and western parts of the state.

However, before you leave for your trip, you should check trails conditions with a local snowmobile club.

For more information about the Recreational Trails Program, call Mick Rogers at 287-4962. To download an application and for additional information visit: www.maine.gov/doc/parks/programs/community/index.html.

For more information about upcoming snowmobiling events, visit the Maine Snowmobile Association Web site at www.mesnow.com.

CATHY GENTHNER, Portland Press Herald, March 26, 2009


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