PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management has announced that a total of $325,000 in federal transportation funds is now available to local communities and non-profit agencies in grants for trail development, improvement, and equipment. Applications for the grants will be accepted by DEM through June 30.

The local trails grants draw upon federal funds made available under the 1998 Transportation Equity Act of the 21st Century. The grants, which require local match of 20 percent, may be used to create new recreational trails, as well as restore and improve existing recreational trails, for both hikers and other trail users, and are generally limited to $50,000 per award. The grants also may be used for trail construction and maintenance equipment such as tractors, lawnmowers, chainsaws, and brush cutters. In the last round of grants, awarded in 2003, close to $400,000 was provided for projects such as improvements to the Cliff Walk in Newport, construction of the mile-long South Farm Trail in Charlestown and the half-mile Tomaquag Trail in Hopkinton, and trail maintenance and construction equipment for the South Kingstown Land Trust.

All trail grant applications will be reviewed by the state's 16-member Recreational Trail Advisory Committee made up of recreational trail users and representatives of DEM, the RI Department of Transportation, and the state Department of Administration. Based on its review, the Committee will make award recommendations to the DEM director. Under an interagency cooperative agreement, DEM administers the grant program with funds made available by DOT and the Federal Highway Administration. The trails grant awards are expected to be awarded in October.

Further information and downloadable applications for the local grants program are available on DEM's website, www.dem.ri.gov, by clicking on "Planning and Development" under "Programs". Applications and further information about the grant program are also available by contacting DEM's Office of Planning and Development at 222-2776 ext. 4310.