The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is accepting applications for the Recreational Trails Program (RTP).  The program, created through the National Recreational Trail Fund Act as part of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) and re-authorized under SAFETEA-LU, provides funding assistance for acquisition, development, rehabilitation and maintenance of both motorized and non-motorized recreation trails.  The RTP program can provide up to 80 percent of federal funding on approved projects and requires a minimum 20 percent non-federal funding match.

Examples of eligible project activities include

• Trail construction and rehabilitation
• Restoration of areas adjacent to trails damaged by unauthorized trail uses
• Construction of trail-related support facilities and amenities
• Acquisition from willing sellers of trail corridors through easements or fee simple title

The deadline for the current round of applications is March 1, 2012.  For more information, instructions, and the Illinois Trails Grant Programs manual, can be found on the IDNR RTP webpage linked to above.