Montana § 23-2-109 - Trails And Recreational Facilities Grant Program -- Rulemaking

§ 23-2-109. Trails And Recreational Facilities Grant Program -- Rulemaking

Trails and recreational facilities grant program -- rulemaking. (1) There is a trails and recreational facilities grant program administered by the department. The grant is called the trail stewardship grant program. (2) Cities, counties, tribal governments, school districts, recreational clubs and organizations, and state and federal agencies are eligible to receive grant funds for the following projects: (a) new trail and shared-use path construction; (b) rehabilitation and maintenance of existing trails and shared-use paths; (c) trailside and trailhead facilities, including but not limited to bridges, fencing, parking, bathrooms, latrines, picnic shelters, interpretation, trail signs, and trailside weed management; (d) trail-related projects, economic impact studies, and feasibility and planning studies, including safety and ethics education; (e) trail data and conditions collection for safety and planning; and (f) equipment purchases and maintenance. (3) (a) The department shall award the following percentages of available trail stewardship grant program funds: (i) 40% to motorized projects; (ii) 40% to nonmotorized projects; and (iii) 20% to projects that serve both motorized and nonmotorized uses. (b) The balance of unused funds for an apportionment in subsection (3)(a) may be used to fund projects for another apportionment in subsection (3)(a). (c) An advance of up to 75% may be requested and provided at the time the grant is awarded for needed expenses, and a further 25% when the first advance is spent and reported. (4) In making grants, the department shall consider the recommendations of the state trails advisory committee established pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 206. (5) Entities receiving a grant may use up to 7% of the funds for administrative costs. (6) Any funds awarded pursuant to this section that are not fully expended within 3 years must revert to the department and be deposited in the account established in 23-1-105 . (7) The department may adopt rules to implement this section.