Grants to Washington Nonprofits, Agencies, and Tribes to Improve Backcountry Trails

Recreational Trails Program (RTP)

Agency

State

GrantWatch ID#

147291

Funding Source

Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO)

Geographic Focus

USA: Washington

Important Dates

Conference Date: 08/10/22
Deadline: 11/01/22

Grant Description

Grants to Washington nonprofit organizations, government agencies, special purpose districts, and Native American tribes to develop and rehabilitate backcountry trails. Funding is intended for projects such as trail development, trail maintenance, and educating visitors about proper trail use, safety, and environmental protection. To be eligible, all project proposals must be directly associated with an existing recreational trail.

A backcountry experience means that the user will experience nature instead of seeing or hearing human development and activity. While backcountry trails may be near cities or roads, or even offer views of cities and towns, the trail’s physical setting should be predominately natural.

RCO offers two categories of RTP grants: General Category grants for trail development, renovation, or maintenance, and Education Category grants for trail education and information. Federal polices dictate how the funding is disbursed to each category to ensure equitable distribution for both motorized and nonmotorized uses.

Eligible Projects:

Development: Development of trailside facilities, trailheads, and trail links for recreational trails.
Maintenance: Maintenance and restoration of trails, trailside facilities, and trailheads. Minor trail relocations.
Education: Programs to directly convey a safety or environmental protection message for recreational trails.

For more information about eligible projects, see the grant manual:

https://rco.wa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/RTP-Manual16.pdf#page=18

RTP supports trails used for the following:

4x4 and light truck driving
All-terrain vehicle and utility task vehicle riding
Cycling
Horseback riding and pack animal activities
Hiking and pedestrian use
Motorcycling
Mountain biking
Nonmotorized snow trail activities
Snowmobiling
Water trails

Typical Projects:

Clearing overgrown brush and fallen trees from trails
Repairing trail damage from floods and fires
Replacing bridges and drainage structures

Long-term Commitment: Trails and facilities developed with these grants must be open and available for 25 years.

Projects that maintain trails must be open and available during the active period of the project agreement; however, those that entail capital work to build new trails or facilities or make significant, long-term renewal improvements to existing facilities must be open and available for 25 years.

Recipient

Eligibility

Others (see text field entitled "Additional Eligibility Criteria" for clarification)

Additional Eligibility Criteria

Eligible Applicants:
• Local agencies (cities, towns, counties, port districts, park and recreation districts, etc.).
• Federal agencies.
• State agencies.
• Native American tribes.
• Nonprofit organizations (see Nonprofit Organizations below).

For a list of ineligible projects and costs, see the following link: https://rco.wa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/RTP-Manual16.pdf#page=29

Pre-Proposal Conference

Application Webinar

Join the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office on August 10th for the Application Webinar from 11:00 – 11:50. Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIlcO-urTsiHNdaFgo0VXqQ0rvc63HuhaUF

Pre-Application Information

Applications Due: November 1, 2022

In general, RCO does not limit the number of grant proposals from a single applicant during the biennial grant cycle. However, each proposal must be for a different scope of work. Each application must stand alone on its own merits with a viable, recreation experience and not be dependent on other projects or future phases of work.

Applicants must contribute 20 percent minimum.

How to Apply: https://rco.wa.gov/grants/apply-for-a-grant/
Watch the 2022 Application Webinar here: https://youtu.be/ID10Kv353nE

Estimated Size of Grant

- Development and maintenance: $5,000-$150,000
- Education: $5,000-$20,000

Contact Information

Apply online: https://rco.wa.gov/recreation-and-conservation-office-grants/apply-for-a-grant/

Contact staff: https://rco.wa.gov/recreation-and-conservation-office-grants/contact-a-grants-manager/

Recreation and Conservation Office
Natural Resources Building
1111 Washington Street
Olympia, WA 98501

Mailing Address:
PO Box 40917
Olympia, WA 98504-0917

Telephone: (360) 902-3000
FAX: (360) 902-3026
Hearing Impaired Relay Service: (800) 833-6388
info@rco.wa.gov

Grants to Washington Nonprofits, Agencies, and Tribes to Improve Backcountry Trails

Recreational Trails Program (RTP)

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