SECTION 725:15-21-4. Limitations on grant awards

(a)   Size of awards.

(1)   The OTRD will limit the maximum amount granted to any single sponsor per project in one application period based on the amount of funds received during any such period.

(2)   Each State Park shall be considered a separate sponsor.

(b)   Number of projects per sponsor.

(1)   Applicants may submit more than one project. However, the total amount granted for each individual project may not exceed the ceiling.

(2)   As mentioned under 725:15-21-2, the sponsor is the applicant, not the partner who may be the land manger. When one sponsor wishes to submit more than one project, separate applications should be submitted when projects are not located at the same site. An exception to this rule would involve the allowance of a single application for trail work of a similar nature on a system of trails in one jurisdiction. For example, a city may submit one application proposing drainage improvements to all trails in its area, even though the trails are not connected and are located at various sites around town.

(c)   30%-30%-40% reserved funds.

(1)   The federal act outlines a formula for state grant spending (after funds for administration and education are set aside). Not less than 30 percent of the funds shall be reserved for uses related to motorized trail recreation, and not less than 30 percent shall be reserved for uses related to non-motorized trail recreation. The remaining 40 percent is discretionary for "diversified" trail use that gives preference to project proposals which:

(A)   Provide for the greatest number of compatible recreational trail purposes, or

(B)   Provide for innovative recreational trail corridor sharing to accommodate motorized and non-motorized recreational trail use.

(2)   OTRD will interpret the discretionary category as meeting either the greatest number of uses or innovative motorized/non-motorized sharing.

(d)   Allowable project costs.

(1)   Approved projects. The grant recipient may only initiate activities to undertake the approved scope of work after receipt of a fully executed Project Agreement. This includes not taking title to lands or easements that are included in the project costs. The sponsor will not be reimbursed for project costs incurred prior to the date of the signed Agreement. The RTP does not allow application preparation, site design, and other pre-application costs to be recovered retroactively.

(2)   Allowable costs. Donations from the private sector (land, materials, or labor) may only be attributed to the sponsor's match. Sponsors may not make a profit by being reimbursed beyond their out-of-pocket costs. Private donations which exceed the federal share simply serve to reduce the overall cost of a project.

(3)   Allowable project costs. Project sponsors may be reimbursed for, but not limited to, the following items.

(A)   Acquisition of fee title land or easement

(B)   Service contracts

(C)   Direct labor costs (hired workers, current staff, force account)

(D)   Materials (purchased)

(E)   Equipment rental

(F)   Purchase of trail hand tools and equipment (total not to exceed $1500)

(G)   Design, engineering and architectural services (not to exceed 20% of total project costs)

(H)   Natural and cultural resource surveys/clearances (if required)

(I)   Appraised value of donated land or easement

(J)   Value of donated service contracts (including volunteer labor)

(K)   Value of donated materials or contribution of materials on hand

(L)   Rental value if donated equipment

(M)   Any of the reimbursable costs which are paid for by cash donations or sponsor's appropriations (to account for the required match)

[Source: Added at 11 Ok Reg 2863, eff 6-13-94; Amended at 14 Ok Reg 3230, eff 7-25-97]