Recreational Trails Receive Funding

Recreational Trails Receive Funding PIERRE, S.D. – Bicyclists, hikers and motorized trail users will soon have several new places in South Dakota to enjoy their leisure time.
Gov. Mike Rounds recently awarded Recreational Trails Program (RTP) funding to several communities and organizations across the state. The federal assistance program provides up to 80 percent reimbursement for trail-related development and maintenance projects.
“These project sponsors have shown a strong commitment to improving their communities and making South Dakota a great location to enjoy the outdoors on our trails,” said Gov. Rounds. “Their efforts will benefit future generations of South Dakotans.”
The following local sponsors were awarded grants: Black Hills Mountain Bike Association for purchase of trail building equipment; Black Hills Nordic Ski Club for purchase of trail grooming equipment; City of Box Elder for trail construction; City of Custer for trail construction; City of Dell Rapids for trail construction; City of Mitchell for signing of the bike trail; City of Rapid City for trail work at Skyline Nature Area.
The following State Recreation Areas were awarded grants for trail improvement projects: Angostura Recreation Area, Lake Poinsett Recreation Area, Mickelson Trail and North Point Recreation Area.
The following motorized trail projects were awarded grants: Black Hills National Forest for signing of authorized off-highway vehicle (OHV) roads and purchase of trail building equipment; Black Hills Snowmobile Trail system for purchase of trail grooming equipment; Revheim Bay OHV Area for the purchase of a new vault toilet; SD Snowmobile Association for a snowmobile safety ad campaign.
The Recreational Trails Program is funded by the Federal Highway Administration and administered in South Dakota by the Department of Game, Fish and Parks. The funds come from the Federal Highway Trust Fund, and represent a portion of the motor fuel excise tax collected from non-highway recreational fuel use: fuel used for off-highway recreation by snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles, and off-highway light trucks.
Examples of trail projects funded by RTP include hiking, bicycling, in-line skating, equestrian, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, off-road motorcycling and all-terrain vehicle use. For more information on this program, contact Randy Kittle, Grants Coordinator, Department of Game, Fish and Parks, 523 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, SD 57501-3182.