Outdoor Recreational Grants

Recreational Trails Program
The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is a Federal-Aid assistance program of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The Recreational Trails Program helps states develop and maintain recreational trails for both motorized and non-motorized recreational trail use. Examples of trail uses include pedestrian (hiking, walking, running, wheelchair), bicycling paved and non paved, in line skating, equestrian use, water trails, off-road motorcycling, all-terrain vehicle riding, four-wheel driving, or using other off-road motorized vehicles.

The U.S. Congress first authorized the Recreational Trails Program in the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991. It was reauthorized in 1998 under the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21).

MS Recreational Trails Program (RTP)

April 15, 2013

Outdoor Recreation Grants Division would like to thank everyone that submitted a Recreational Trails Program application.   Sixty-four (64) RTP applications were received requesting a total of $7,051,344.08.

The RTP legislation requires that States use 40 percent of their funds apportioned in a fiscal year for diverse recreational trail use, 30 percent for motorized recreation, and 30 percent for non-motorized recreation. The 40-30-30 requirement applies to the on-the-ground trail projects and to the educational projects, but does not apply to the State administrative costs.  The 40-30-30 requirement only applies to Federal funds apportioned through the RTP, not to funds from other sources.

Update RTP FY12 Applications

As of April 15, 2013, environmental clearances have not been completed for six (6) of the nine (9) applications submitted to the Federal Highway Administration for 2012 RTP funding. 

All applicants will be notified by mail the results of the RTP Award Cycle.  The results will also be posted on this website. 

Again, Outdoor Recreation Grants Division wants to thank all applicants for their interest in the Recreational Trails Program.

If you have any questions, please contact the Outdoor Recreation Grants Division at (601) 432-2225 / 2230.

Jean Caraway, RTP Administrator
Outdoor Recreation Grants (ORG)  

RTP Frequently Asked Questions

Land & Water Conservation Fund
The LWCF program was established by the LWCF Act of 1965. Federal funds are appropriated by Congress through the Department of Interior and administered on the federal level by National Park Service (NPS) and on the state level by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, Outdoor Recreation Grants division.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) program was established to stimulate a nationwide action program to assist in preserving, developing, and assuring to all citizens of the United States, of present and future generations, such quality and quantity of outdoor recreation resources as may be available. The program provides matching grants to States, and through the States to local units of government, for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation sites and facilities. Funding for the program is provided largely from Outer Continental Shelf mineral receipts, with additional income from the Motorboat Fuels Tax, recreation user fees, and through the sales of federal surplus property. Federal LWCF obligations have been matched by state and local contributions, for a total recreation investment of over $6 billion dollars.

LWCF Frequently Asked Questions