Federal Trail grants from DNR

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has begun accepting grant applications from private organizations, and municipal, state and federal agencies for the Fiscal Year 2004 grant round of the federal Recreational Trails Program.

The Recreational Trails Program is funded through the Federal Highway Administration as part of the Transportation Equity Act for the Twenty-first Century (TEA-21). A minimum of $500,000 is expected in this cycle with additional funds possible.

Eligible project categories include construction, maintenance, restoration and development of new trails. All grants are awarded on a reimbursement basis; a minimum 20 percent match is required for projects. Applications must be postmarked by March 15, 2004.

To help acquaint applicants with the program, Department of Natural Resources staff is planning six question-and-answer sessions throughout the state. The sessions are being planned for the end of
January and the first part of February in Macon, Jefferson City, Kansas City, Springfield, Poplar Bluff and St. Louis. The complete schedule of dates and locations will be available on the Web
.
For more information on the question-and-answer sessions or to request an application, contact the Department of Natural Resources, Division of State Parks, Grant Management Section, 659 E. Elm St.,
Jefferson City, MO 65101 or call (573) 751-3442. The application is available for downloading.

For more information about state parks and historic sites, visit the MO state parks web site.