Recreational Trails Fund Program (RTP)
Program Overview
Initiated by Congress in 1991 under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA), the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) provides reimbursable grants designed to enhance America's "Livable Communities."
RTP funds are made available by the Federal Highway Administration to the West Virginia Department of Highways (DOH), which administers the program within the state.
Eligible Applicants in West Virginia
Entities eligible to apply for RTP grants include:
- Non-profit organizations
- Local governments
- Regional transportation authorities
- Transit agencies
- Natural resource or public land agencies
- School districts, local education agencies, or individual schools
- Tribal governments
- Any other local or regional governmental entity with responsibility for or oversight of transportation or recreational trails (excluding metropolitan planning organizations or State agencies) that the State determines to be eligible.
Application Process
The DOH has transitioned to a fully electronic process for RTP project applications. Moving away from the legacy paper-based system, applicants must now complete the entire process online, beginning with a digital Intent-to-Apply (ITA) form.
The electronic application portal can be accessed directly at: dohgrants.wv.gov.
Review and Selection
All submitted RTP applications are reviewed by the Recreational Trails Advisory Board, whose members are appointed by the Governor. This board evaluates proposals and provides formal grant award recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation.
