FY 2012 Discretionary Funding Opportunity: Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks Program

Post Date

August 27th 2012

Application Due Date

September 28th 2012

Funding Opportunity Number

FTA-2012-013-TPM-TRIP

CFDA Number(s)

20.520

Funding Instrument Type(s)

Grant

Funding Activity Categories

Transportation

Number of Awards

25

Eligibility Categories

Other

Federal Land Management Agencies; State, Local and Tribal governments and subsidiaries with jurisdiction in the vicinity of an eligible area and with a letter of support from the affected land unit.

Funding

• Estimated Total Funding:

  $12000000

• Award Range:

  $0 - $2000000

Grant Description

The Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks Program was established to address the challenge of increasing vehicle congestion in and around our national parks and other federal lands. Americaуs national parks, wildlife refuges, and national forests were created to protect unique environmental and cultural treasures, but are now facing traffic, pollution and crowding that diminishes the visitor experience and threatens the environment. To address these concerns, this program provides funding for alternative transportation systems, such as shuttle buses, rail connections and even bicycle trails. The program seeks to conserve natural, historical, and cultural resources; reduce congestion and pollution; improve visitor mobility and accessibility; enhance visitor experience; and ensure access to all, including persons with disabilities. The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation, together with the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Forest Service. This is the final allocation of funds under this program, which was repealed by Congress in the most recent transportation authorization. Program funds may support capital and planning expenses for new or existing alternative transportation systems in the vicinity of an eligible area. Alternative transportation includes transportation by bus, rail, or any other publicly available means of transportation and includes sightseeing service. It also includes non-motorized transportation systems such as pedestrian and bicycle trails. Operating costs, such as fuel and driversу salaries, are not eligible expenses. FTA will prioritize projects that demonstrate benefits independent of future sources of funding. While planning projects are eligible, they should provide benefits independent of any proposed future project. Eligible funding recipients include federal land management agencies (FLMAs) that manage eligible areas, including, but not limited to: ╔ Bureau of Land Management (BLM) ╔ Bureau of Reclamation (BR) ╔ National Park Service (NPS) ╔ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) ╔ U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Eligible recipients also include state, tribal, or local governmental authorities with jurisdiction over land in the vicinity of an eligible area acting with the consent of the FLMA. Eligible project areas include any federally owned or managed park, refuge or recreational area open to the general public, including: National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges; Bureau of Land Management recreational areas; Bureau of Reclamation recreational areas; and National Forests. Eligible projects may also include the communities and land surrounding these federal lands.

Contact Information

• Agency

  Department of Transportation

• Office:

  DOT/Federal Transit Administration

• Agency Contact:

  Adam Schildge
  Federal Transit Administration
  (202)366-0778
  

• Agency Mailing Address:

  Adam Schildge

• Agency Email Address:

  adam.schildge@dot.gov

• More Information:

  FTA Transit in Parks Program