Snowmobile Trail Establishment Fund (Illinois)

Snowmobile Trail Establishment Fund (Illinois) is sponsored by Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The Snowmobile Trail Establishment Fund (STEF) provides financial aid to eligible, private snowmobile clubs/organizations in Illinois for the purpose of assisting them in the construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation of snowmobile trails and facilities on public lands, desig…

STEF - Snowmobile Trail Establishment Fund (FY26) STEF - Snowmobile Trail Establishment Fund (FY26) Provides financial assistance to eligible, private snowmobile clubs/organizations in Illinois to develop and maintain public snowmobile trails and facilities in the state. Must be open and available for general public use.

The primary purpose of the Snowmobile Trail Establishment Fund Grant Program is to provide financial aid to eligible private, not-for-profit snowmobile clubs for the purpose of assisting such organizations to construct, maintain and rehabilitate snowmobile trails and facilities on public lands, designated roadways, or private land opened to such use in the state.

Accordingly, the STEF grant program provides financial assistance to eligible local snowmobile clubs and organizations to help them construct, maintain and rehabilitate snowmobile trails and facilities on public lands and designated road rights-of-way or on private lands open to public snowmobile use. Funding Opportunity Number https://il. amplifund.

com/Public/Opportunities/Details/d823eadb-cdba-4339-af1a-00eb55c063cb Funding Source Description The Snowmobile Trail Establishment Fund Program is a state-financed program enacted by Sections 9-1 and 9-2 of the Snowmobile Registration and Safety Act [625 ILCS 40/9-1 and 9-2 https://www. ilga. gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.

asp? ActID=1825]. Funds for the program are derived from snowmobile registration fees and for that reason require the use and oversight of a public entity’s procurement guidelines to ensure the proper stewardship of said funds.

Funding for the grant program is derived from revenue generated pursuant to the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 40/9). Land Acquisition, Projects outside the state of Illinois, and Any project which, either in whole or in part, will not be open to the general public for public snowmobile use.

Restrictions on Indirect Costs 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 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 https://il-amplifund. zendesk. com Others, Nonprofit Organizations Applicant Eligibility Information Beneficiary Eligibility Information Credentials Documentation Eligibility Information Additional Eligibility Information STEF funding is available to any private snowmobile club or organization in Illinois having not-for-profit incorporation status with the State who possess minimum liability insurance coverage of $1,000,000.

00 per occurrence on the snowmobile facilities to be operated under the scope of the proposed project application. An entity may apply for a grant but will not be eligible for a grant award unless the entity has pre-qualified through the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Grantee Portal, https://grants. illinois.

gov/portal/ by the close of the application period. During pre-qualification, Dun and Bradstreet verifications are performed including a check of Debarred and Suspended status and good standing with the Secretary of State. The pre-qualification process also includes a financial and administrative risk assessment utilizing an Internal Controls Questionnaire.

If applicable, the entity will be notified that it is ineligible for award as a result of the Dun and Bradstreet verification. The entity will be informed of corrective action needed to become eligible for a grant award. Additional Information URL https://www2.

illinois. gov/dnr/grants/Pages/SnowmobileTrailEstablishmentFund. aspx Additional Information URL Description Illinois Department of Natural Resources Snowmobile Trail Establishment Fund Award Administration Information 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.

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.

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 Reports Due By: State Awarding Agency Contacts By US Mail: Illinois Department of Natural Resources Office of Grant Management and Assistance One Natural Resources Way Springfield, IL 62702-1271 By e-mail: DNR. grants@illinois. gov https://ilsnowmobile.

com/ 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 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 Snowmobile Trail Establishment Fund Grant Program is to provide financial aid to eligible private, not-for-profit snowmobile clubs for the purpose of assisting such organizations to construct, maintain and rehabilitate snowmobile trails and facilities on public lands, designated roadways, or private land opened to such use in the state.

Accordingly, the STEF grant program provides financial assistance to eligible local snowmobile clubs and organizations to help them construct, maintain, and rehabilitate snowmobile trails and facilities on public lands and designated road rights-of-way or on private lands open to public 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).

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 STEF grant awards.

Once a decision has been reached, awarded projects will be announced. Merit-Based Review Appeals Process In 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 Anticipated Announcement Dates