Federal Funding Sources

Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA21)
http://www.istea.org/
The former primary source of federal funding for greenways, the Transportation Equity Act of 1998 (TEA21), formerly the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) is currently up for reauthorization. Updates on the nation's surface transportation program scheduled for renewal in 2003.
ISTEA provided millions of dollars in funding for bicycle and pedestrian transportation projects across the country. Federal Highway Administration and PennDOT utilized funding from many subsets of TEA21:

• Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds
• Transportation Enhancements Program
• Transit Enhancements Program
• National Recreational Trails Fund Act (NRTFA)
• Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ)

Transportation and Community and System Preservation Pilot Program (TCSP)
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tcsp/
The TCSP provides funding for a comprehensive initiative including planning grants, implementation grants, and research to investigate and address the relationships between transportation and community and system preservation and to identify private sector-based initiatives. The TCSP is a Federal Highway Administration program being jointly developed with the Federal Transit Administration, the Federal Rail Administration, the Office of the Secretary, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the U.S. EPA. This program has been authorized $20 million for 1999, and $25 million is authorized for each of the years 2000-2003. States, MPOs, and local governments are eligible to receive planning and implementation grants for projects that: reduce impacts of transportation on the environment, reduce the need for costly future infrastructure investments, and improve the efficiency of the transportation system. Projects involving partnerships among public and private sectors are given priority.

Community Development Block Grant Program
http://www.hud.gov/progdesc/cdbgent.cfm
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers financial grants to communities for neighborhood revitalization, economic development, and improvements to community facilities and services, especially in low and moderate-income areas. Several communities have used HUD funds to develop greenways, including the Boulding Branch Greenway in High Point, North Carolina. Grants from this program range from $50,000 to $200,000 and are either made to municipalities or non-profits. There is no formal application process.

Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grants
http://www.ncrc.nps.gov/programs/lwcf/
This federal funding source was established in 1965 to provide park and recreation opportunities to residents throughout the United States. Money for the fund comes from the sale or lease of nonrenewable resources, primarily federal offshore oil and gas leases and surplus federal land sales. LWCF funds are used by federal agencies to acquire additions to National Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Refuges. In the past, Congress has also appropriated LWCF monies for so-called "state-side" projects. These "state-side" LWCF grants can be used by communities to acquire and build a variety of park and recreation facilities, including trails and greenways. These funds are distributed by the National Park Service to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. They require a 50 percent match from the local project sponsor. In PA contact DCNR, Recreation and Conservation, 717-783-2659.

Area Development Programs
Grants from this program are typically awarded for the development of industrial parks, and other projects that contribute to job growth. Grants are awarded to municipalities, non-profit organizations and institutions. In 1997, four grants were awarded, ranging from $200,000 to $500,000. A match of at least 50 percent is required and the project must demonstrate a relationship to the agency's strategic plan and a statewide strategic plan for economic development.

Conservation Reserve Program
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/dafp/cepd/crp.htm
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, through its Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, provides payments to farm owners and operators to place highly erodible or environmentally sensitive landscapes into a 10-15 year conservation contract. The participant, in return for annual payments during this period, agrees to implement a conservation plan approved by the local conservation district for converting these sensitive lands to a less intensive use. Individuals, associations, corporations, estates, trusts, cities, counties and other entities are eligible for this program. This program can be used to fund the maintenance of open space and non-public use greenways along water bodies and ridge lines.

Wetlands Reserve Program
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/wrp/
http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/wildlife/wrp.html - informational site
The Department of Agriculture also provides direct payments to private landowners who agree to place sensitive wetlands under permanent easements. This program can be used to fund the protection of open space and greenways within riparian corridors.

Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention (Small Watersheds) Grants
http://www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/wacademy/fund/prevent.html
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides funding to state and local agencies or nonprofit organizations authorized to carry out, maintain and operate watershed improvements involving less than 250,000 acres. The NRCS provides financial and technical assistance to eligible projects to improve watershed protection, flood prevention, sedimentation control, public water-based fish and wildlife enhancements, and recreation planning. The NRCS requires a 50 percent local match for public recreation, and fish and wildlife projects.

Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program
http://www.ncrc.nps.gov/programs/rtca/ContactUs/cu_apply.html
The National Parks service operates this program aimed at conserving land and water resources for communities. Eligible projects include conservation plans for protecting these resources, trail development, and greenway development.