Recreation grants total $102,800
The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR) has
approved $102,800 in recreation grants for Blaine County.
"These grants help rural Idaho upgrade and add
recreation facilities for Idahoans and for visitors to our state who spend
their vacation dollars here," Gov. Dirk Kempthorne said Tuesday.
The grants and projects include:
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The Bureau of Reclamation will build a restroom at the
Little Wood Campground with a $30,675 RV grant.
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The Sawtooth National Forest received $30,000 to build
a pedestrian bridge across Trail Creek and 1,000 feet of new trail to
connect the Trail Creek Trail with the Corral Creek Trail.
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The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation will
provide the county with $8,745 in snowmobile program funding.
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Over $7,000 in Waterways Improvement Funds for dock
replacement at Magic Reservoir are included.
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Parking barriers will be replaced at the Sawtooth
National Forest's Smokey Bear Boat Launch using $3,000 in Waterways
Improvement Funds.
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The Blaine County Sheriff's Office will receive an
allocation of $9,975 for boat safety projects.
Each year in May, IDPR awards grants from several programs
for development and maintenance of recreation facilities in Idaho and to
provide programs for the benefit of recreation. This year those grants
totaled more than $4.8 million statewide.
Additionally, the grants require a significant match from
each sponsor, said IDPR Director Rick Collignon.
"We work with cities, counties, other state agencies
and federal partners such as the Forest Service and Bureau of Land
Management to help develop recreation opportunities for everyone," he
said.
The annual grants come from a variety of sources. Money
from registration of boats, RVs, snowmobiles and off-highway vehicles goes
into building and maintaining facilities for their use.
At least 85 percent of funds collected are directly
returned to on-the-ground projects.
Some grants include a portion of state and federal gas
tax, which is returned to those who use gasoline off highways.
"Recreationists decide where most of the money
goes," Collignon said. "Grant requests are reviewed and ranked
by a statewide committee made up of those who participate in each
recreational activity. Then the Idaho Park and Recreation Board reviews
the recommendations to see that they meet our strategic plan goals."
