Opportunity Information
CSFA Number
422-11-1163
CSFA Popular Name
SNOW
Title
SNOW - Snowmobile Local Government (FY24)
Description
Provides financial assistance to local governments for acquisition of property for snowmobiling, development of snowmobile trails and equipment related to snowmobiling. Must be open and available for general public use.
Awarding Agency Name
Natural Resources
Agency Contact Name
Ann Fletcher
Agency Contact Phone
(217) 782-7481
Agency Contact Email
dnr.grants@illinois.gov
Program
Fund Activity Categories
Category Explanation
The primary purpose of the Illinois Snowmobile Grant Program is to provide financial aid to government agencies to develop, operate, maintain, and acquire land and/or equipment for snowmobile trails, trail maintenance, and trail side facilities that are open and accessible to the public in Illinois for snowmobile use.
Opportunity Manager
Josh LeMasters
Additional Users
Posted Date
Announcement Type
Initial Announcement
Funding Opportunity Number
FY2024.SNOW
Public Link
Is Published
Yes
Funding Information
Opportunity Funding
$350,000.00
Funding Sources
State
Funding Source Description
Funding for the grant program is derived from revenue generated by snowmobile registration fees, fines, and bond forfeitures pursuant to the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 40/9.1).
Award Information
Award Ceiling
$120,000.00
Award Floor
$20,000.00
Award Start Date
Award End Date
Award Announcement Date
Award Type
Competitive
Capital Grant
Yes
Indirect Costs Allowed
Yes
Restrictions on Indirect Costs
No
Matching Requirement
Yes
Submission Information
Submission Timeline Type
One Time
Submission Open Date
Submission Close Date
Submission Timeline Additional Information
Completed applications must be received by the Submission Close Date/Time in order to be reviewed and considered in the awarding process.
Allow Multiple Applications
Yes
Application Review Start Date / Pre-Qualification Deadline
Question Submission Information
Question Submission Open Date
Question Submission Close Date
Question Submission Email Address
Question Submission Additional Information
For grant program specific questions contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
For questions specific to the Amplifund program contact:
support@il-amplifund.zendesk.com
Amplifund Support Site:
https://il-amplifund.zendesk.com
Attachments
Eligibility Information
Eligibility Type
Public
Eligible Applicants
Government Organizations
Applicant Eligibility Information
Beneficiary Eligibility Information
Credentials Documentation Eligibility Information
Additional Eligibility Information
The following types of projects are eligible for SNOW funding:
• Acquisition of land for snowmobile trails and areas. May be funded up to 90% for corridor/rights-of-way acquisition generally not exceeding 100' width OR up to 50% funding for non-linear acquisitions such as open field scramble areas, etc.
• Snowmobile trail development, including the signing of snowmobile routes along public roadways as designated by the local government agency having jurisdiction and authority as granted under 625 ILCS 40/5-2. May be funded up to 100%.
• Construction of parking areas, access roads, warming shelters, security lighting and other snowmobiling support facilities. This is generally limited to 50% funding.
• Purchase of communication and first aid equipment for local agency patrol use. Limited to 50% funding.
• Purchase of trail grooming equipment; signs; snowmobiles; associated protective gear; and trailers. May be funded up to 100%.
• Lease of tractors used to pull snowmobile groomer drags for maintenance of public snowmobile trails. May be funded up to 100%.
• Annual trail maintenance costs and minor equipment repairs to cover the cost of necessary fuel, oils/fluids, vehicle insurance and routine maintenance parts directly associated with the operation and transport of snowmobile trail grooming equipment while maintaining snowmobile trails open for general public use. May be funded up to 100%.
The following types of projects are not eligible for SNOW funding:
• Land acquisition through eminent domain.
• Any project which, either in whole or in part, will not be open to the general public for public snowmobile use.
Additional Information
Additional Information URL
Additional Information URL Description
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Local Government Snowmobile Program
Award Administration Information
State Award Notices
Once a final decision has been made, the successful applicant will be notified by email and/or letter of any final requirements before the state grant can be awarded to them. A Notice of State Award will be issued in the Grantee Portal and must be accepted by the grantee. Once all the final requirements have been completed, the Grant Agreement between IDNR and the applicant will be sent for the applicant to sign and return. Once the agreement is fully executed by the IDNR a copy will be returned to the applicant.
Only after the Grant Agreement has been signed by the Director can expenses be incurred for grant reimbursement unless otherwise noted. Any expenses incurred outside of the grant period (before or after) are at the applicant’s risk and are not eligible either as match or for reimbursement related to the grant unless a waiver has been previously issued.
Administrative and National Policy Requirements
The Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA), 30 ILCS 708/1 et seq. is the Administrative Code that this grant will be governed under.
Reporting
Financial reporting will include all funds including matching funds spent in the undertaking of the project and interest earned on advanced payments. Various types of reporting are required for grant agreements awarded under this grant, including:
Performance Progress Reporting: The grantee shall be required to provide reporting of its activities under this project. The IDNR may withhold or suspend payment if the grantee fails to submit the required reports. The following reports are required under this Agreement and the forms are provided in the Implementation and Billing Packet that will be received upon award:
Quarterly Progress Reports: The grantee is required to provide to the IDNR quarterly progress reports that describe the progress of the project and expenditures of funds according to the budget line items as detailed in the approved Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance. The Quarterly Progress Report will be due as follows:
Quarterly Progress Report Due By:
April 1 | July 1 | October 1 | January 1
State Awarding Agency Contacts
By US Mail: Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Office of Grant Management and Assistance
Attn: SNOW Grant Program
One Natural Resources Way
Springfield, IL 62702-1271
By e-mail: DNR.grants@illinois.gov (Fastest)
By phone: (217) 782-7481
Other Information
https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/grants/Pages/LocalGovernmentSnowmobileProgram.aspx
Criteria
The following factors are used by the IDNR in evaluating and recommending project applications for funding assistance consideration:
- Projects advocating land acquisition in perpetuity or long-term leases or easements.
- Projects proposing the development of a trail system, especially well-developed long-distance trails, connector trails linking several existing trails, or multiple use trails.
- Projects located in areas having adequate snow cover and exhibiting high demand as determined by the number of registered snowmobiles in the area where the project is located.
- Projects proposing high quality snowmobile facilities readily accessible to major population centers and highways in the State or proposing initial establishment of snowmobile facilities in a high demand area.
- Projects proposing initial development of snowmobile facilities at the project site.
- Projects having documented support from the snowmobiling public.
The following criteria will be used by the Department for evaluating and ranking grant applications. Each criterion indicates the weighting that will be given to that criterion.
- Project Need (20%)
- Project need is based on trail significance, and the estimated users that will be attracted to the site, project priority, and the population of surrounding area served by the project.
- Project Concept and Quality (55%)
- Project concept and quality is based on the type of project proposed, the proposed length of new trail or length of trail to be renovated, the diversity of trail use, the scenic quality of trail or site, the availability of amenities and support facilities on-site, and the project sponsor’s maintenance capabilities and history.
- Environmental Suitability of the Proposed Trail or Trail Site (5%)
- Projects are evaluated primarily in terms of the project site's suitability for the proposed uses including considerations of 1) physical characteristics such as terrain, drainage, adjacent land uses, soil conditions, vegetation, hydrologic conditions, environmental intrusions, etc., 2) site accessibility factors including safe vehicular access and sufficient parking; and 3) overall site plan considering such factors as overall design, creativity, sensitivity to environmental factors and neatness.
- Local support for the proposed project (5%)
- Consideration is given to projects identified in or consistent with adopted local plans and where direct public participation in the planning process and/or project proposal is clearly evident. To be fully considered as an acceptable planning document, basic elements such as an overall needs assessment, current facilities inventory and direct constituent input should be included.
- Local financial contribution (5%)
- Local agency financial contribution to project costs and/or construction of other recreational facilities at the project site (Development projects only).
- Overall Program Suitability (5%)
- The primary purpose of the Illinois Snowmobile Grant Program is to provide financial aid to government agencies to develop, operate, maintain, and acquire land and/or equipment for snowmobile trails, trail maintenance, and trail side facilities that are open and accessible to the public in Illinois for snowmobile use.
- Applicant/Application Factors (5%)
- Consideration is given to the applicant's past performance in completing the Department grant projects or unresolved project violations, maintenance history of existing sites, and administrative considerations (such as application completeness and response time during the application process).http://ilga.gov/commission/JCAR/admincode/044/044070000D03500R.html
Review and Selection Process
The Department will review, evaluate and prioritize the applications utilizing the criteria listed above. Awarding of grants is on a competitive basis and made under authority and directive of the Director of the Department of Natural Resources. In arriving at a final determination, the Director will consider the recommendations of Department staff, Department of Natural Resources Advisory Board Members and the criteria listed above.
The Director of the Department of Natural Resources, with staff, reviews and prioritizes project applications according to the established program rating criteria. The Director makes final decisions concerning SNOW grant awards. Once a decision has been reached, awarded projects will be announced.
Merit-Based Review Appeals ProcessIn compliance with GATA, applicants have the right to appeal the evaluation process but not the evaluation score. More information is available at:
http://ilga.gov/commission/JCAR/admincode/044/044070000D03500R.html