As in previous years, the outlook for calendar year 2006 appears positive. Funding for the IDNR's Division of Grant Administration's grant programs should remain steady or increase.

Due to the strong support of numerous Illinois park districts, forest preserves, conservation and recreation agencies, the OSLAD program should remain at $20 million for the grant cycle beginning May 1 through July 1, 2006. One new feature under development for the upcoming OSLAD grant cycle is the ability for local agencies to electronically complete and submit applications to IDNR using a new online process. Agencies considering applying for OSLAD grant funding assistance should check the department's Web site in late March 2006 to determine if this online system is available.

Although the OSLAD grant program funding levels have remained consistent, funding for the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) program is uncertain for fiscal year 2006.

The grant program that will realize significant funding increases over the next four years is the Federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP). This is a result of Congress passing the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). Illinois' apportionment will increase each year to a projected $2,215,000 in 2009.

The Illinois Bicycle Path Program funding is expected to remain a constant $2.5 million for the upcoming grant cycle with applications due March 1. The major change in this program is the emphasis on developing bicycle paths that encourage multiple types of users including equestrians.

The Local Government Snowmobile grant program is unchanged from previous years. However, due to a continued decline in the number of registered snowmobiles, anticipated funds available for grant awards will only be $80,000. During recent years, several governmental agencies have applied for, and received, funds for snowmobile search, rescue and police patrol purposes.

It is anticipated that in this next fiscal year the Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) grant program will again have $600,000 in new appropriations. This program, while open to both governmental agencies and non-governmental entities, has yet to draw many units of local government.

Funding for the Boat Access Area Development (BAAD) program has remained constant at $725,000 annually. During the last few years, this program has had a funding request level approximately twice that of the available dollars for grant awards.

The following table outlines the facts associated with these grants. Please note that applications are now due at 12:00 p.m. for some of the programs listed.

www.ilparks.org January/February 2006 21

*1 Unknown at this time

22 Illinois Parks and Recreation www.ILipro.org

Conservation Fund	Local Government Snowmobile	Off-highway Vehicle Recreation Trails Program	Open Space Land Acquisition & Development	Program	Urban & Community Forestry Grants
LWCF	SNOW	OHV	OSLAD	RTP	UCFG
Acquire and develop outdoor recreation areas	Acquire, develop and rehabilitate, operate & maintain public areas for snowmobiling	Acquire, develop, operate end maintain off-highway vehicle parks and trails	Acquire and develop outdoor recreation areas	Develop ond maintain recreational trails and trail-related projects	Assist local units of government to create or enhance local forestry programs
Illinois Deportment of Natural Resources	Illinois Department of Natural Resources	Illinois Department of Natural Resources	Illinois Department of Natural Resources	Illinois Department of Natural Resources	Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Division of Grant Administration	Division of Grant Administration	Division of Grant Administration	Division of Grant Administration	Division of Grant Administration	Division of Forest Resources
Sue Eubanks	David Sellman	David Sellman	Tom DiLello	David Sellman	Reinee Hildebrandt
One Natural Resources Way Springfield, IL 62702 217.782.7481 217.782.9599 seubcnks@ dnrmail.state.il.us	One Natural Resources Way Springfield, IL 62702 217.782.7481 217.782.9599 dsellman@ dnrmail.state.il.us	One Natural Resources Way Springfield, IL 62702 217.782.7481 217.782.9599 dsellman@ dnrmail.state.il.us	One Natural Resources Way Springfield, IL 62702 217.782.7481 217.782.9599 grants® dnrmail.state.il.us	One Natural Resources Way Springfield, IL 62/02 217.782.7481 217.782.9599 dsellman@ dnrmail.state.il.us	One Natural Resources Way Springfield, IL 62702 217.785.8771 217.785.2438 rhildebrandt@ dnrmail.state.il.us
Up to 50% Federal Funds	Up to 100% Dev., Up to 90% Acq. State Funding	Up to 100% State Funding	Up to 50% State Funding	Up to 80% Federal Funding	Up to 50% State Funding
Acq. $750,000 Dev. $400,000	None	None	Acq. $750,000, Dev. $400,000	None	No more than 5% of total available funds
July 1 Noon	May 1 Noon	March 1 Noon	July 1 Noon	March 1 Noon	to be announced see: http://dnr.state.il.us/conservation/forestry/Urban/grantoppor.htm
Reimbursement after project completed	Reimbursement after project completed	Reimbursement after project completed	Reimbursement after project completed	Reimbursement	Reimbursement after project completed
State and Local units of government	Local units of government	Local units of government, private organizations, individuals	Local units of government	Federal, state and local government, private organizations	Units of government with forestry ordinances
(*1)	$80,000	$600,000	$20,000,000	$1,500,000	$75,000-$100,000 (Approximote Total)

www.ilparks.org January/February 2006 23