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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Descriptions

15.921:  Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance

Popular Name:  RTCA

Objectives:  To provide staff assistance to support partnerships between government and citizens to increase the number of rivers and landscapes protected and trails established nationwide.

PROGRAM AND AWARD	FINANCIAL AND INFORMATION CONTACTS
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS	FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO.
APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS	INFORMATION CONTACTS
RELATED PROGRAMS	ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS	POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS

15.921 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:  Private nonprofit organizations and Federal, State and local government agencies.

Beneficiary Eligibility:  Not applicable.

Credentials/Documentation:  Not applicable. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

15.921 APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:  Program advice and information is available from the appropriate NPS System Support Office. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102 and E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:  Applicants must submit a letter describing proposed project, public support, and commitment of cost-sharing to the appropriate NPS Support Office. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular Nos. A-102 and A-110.

Award Procedure:  Decisions are based upon adherence to program criteria and the level of available staff time.

Deadlines:  Varies regionally; proposals should generally be submitted by July.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:  Varies regionally; generally about three months.

Appeals:  Not applicable.

Renewals:  Projects are sometimes renewed for one or two years.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals:  Project should have clear, measurable objectives and must be designed to have a significant, cost-effective impact on an issue and lead to tangible conservation of significant resources. Each project must demonstrate cooperation and commitment among affected public agencies and private interests and have significant public involvement. Further details regarding project requirements are available from NPS offices.

Examples of Funded Projects:  Develop new trails and greenways; protect and restore river resources, access and views; convert abandoned railways to multi-purpose trails; promote and develop systems of trails and greenways; conserve open space; establish new conservation organizations and alliances. Examples of RTCA projects include: (1) Pearl-to-Leaf River Trail-A 41 mile trail connecting Hattiesburg, Mississippi with several smaller communities in southern Mississippi; although not yet complete; the trail will be the state's first rail-trail and the longest in the three state region. RTCA has helped the Recreation District Board draw up plans and held workshops to help Board members develop management and safety guidelines. (2) Along the Los Angeles River, RTCA worked with Los Angeles County to complete a master plan which has spun off multiple open space projects, including the new Elysian Valley Gateway Park. (3) In Ivins, Utah, RTCA facilitated a series of day-long planning charettes for the Santa Clara River Reserve Trail which brought together diverse interests including ranchers and environmentalists and forged consensus.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  Not applicable. Staff assistance only.

15.921 RELATED PROGRAMS:

• 15.916 Outdoor Recreation: Acquisition, Development and Planning;
• 15.918 Disposal of Federal Surplus Real Property for Parks, Recreation, and Historic Monuments.

15.921 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

NPS RTCA has played a major role in community conservation and recreation through citizen-led, partnership approaches to river protection, trail development and land conservation.

15.921 FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

Federal Agency:  NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Type of Assistance:  Advisory Services and Counseling.

Obligations:  (Salaries and expenses) FY 99 $7,245,000; FY 00 est $8,132,000; and FY 01 est $9,309,000.

Budget Account Number:  14-1042-0-1-303.

Authorization:  Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968, 16 U.S.C. 1271-1287 as amended, Public Law 90-542; National Trails System Act, 16 U.S.C. 1241 as amended, Public Law 90-543; Outdoor Recreation Act of 1963, 16 U.S.C. 4601-3, Public Law 88-29.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature:  An Annual Project Report is published each year and is available from NPS offices. Information is available on the Web at: www.ncrc.nps.gov/rtca.

15.921 INFO CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:  Applicants are requested to communicate with National Park Service Support Offices. Refer to Catalog Appendix IV for addresses.

Headquarters Office:  Assistant Director for Recreation and Conservation, National Park Service, 1849 C Street, NW. (MS-3622-MIB), Washington, DC 20240. Phone: (202) 565-1200.

(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)

15.921 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:  No fixed amount. Cooperators must demonstrate commitment of cost-sharing which may include donations of time, cash and services.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:  Generally one to two years.

Uses and Use Restrictions:  Not applicable.

15.921 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:  None.

Audits:  None.

Records:  None.