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.

N/A

Implementing and authorized by Sections 9-1 and 9-2 of the Snowmobile Registration and Safety Act [625 ILCS 40/9-1 and 9-2].

20 ILCS 805/805-70 625 ILCS 40/9-2 (fund source)

Provide competitive program providing financial assistance to incorporated private snowmobile clubs for costs associated with development and maintenance of public snowmobile trails.

Yes

ARTICLE XXVII AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY 27.1. Authorized Signatory. In processing this Award and related documentation, Grantor will only accept materials signed by the Authorized Signatory of this Agreement, as designated or prescribed herein in paragraph 1.6. Grantor will reject any materials signed or submitted on the Grantee’s behalf by anyone other than the Authorized Signatory. ARTICLE XXVIII ILLINOIS WORKS JOBS ACT 28.1. Illinois Works Jobs Program Act (30 ILCS 559/20-1 et seq.): For grants with an estimated total project cost of $500,000 or more, the grantee will be required to comply with the Illinois Works Apprenticeship Initiative (30 ILCS 559/20-20 to 20-25) and all applicable administrative rules. The “estimated total project cost” is a good faith approximation of the costs of an entire project being paid for in whole or in part by appropriated capital funds to construct a public work. The goal of the Illinois Apprenticeship Initiative is that apprentices will perform either 10% of the total labor hours actually worked in each prevailing wage classification or 10% of the estimated labor hours in each prevailing wage classification, whichever is less. Grantees will be permitted to seek from the Department a waiver or reduction of this goal in certain circumstances pursuant to 30 ILCS 559/20-20(b). The grantee must ensure compliance for the life of the entire project, including during the term of the grant and after the term ends, if applicable, and will be required to report on and certify its compliance. ARTICLE XXIX ADDITIONAL BUDGET PROVISIONS 29.1. Restrictions on Discretionary Line-Item Transfers. The Grantee may transfer funds within budget line items of less and no more than ten percent of the limiting line item without Grantor approval. Any budget line item transfers greater than ten percent must be requested in advance by the Grantee and must be approved by the Grantor, requiring an amendment to the Grant Agreement/Budget. ARTICLE XXX ADDITIONAL TERMINATION, SUSPENSION, BILLING SCHEDULE AND NON-COMPLIANCE PROVISIONS 30.1. Remedies for Non-Compliance. If Grantor suspends or terminates this Agreement pursuant to Article XVI herein, Grantor may also elect any additional remedy allowed by law, including, but not limited to, one or more of the following remedies: (a) Direct the Grantee to refund some or all of the Grant Funds disbursed to it under this Agreement, (b) Direct the Grantee to remit an amount equivalent to the “Net Salvage Value” of all equipment or materials purchased with Grant Funds provided under this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, “Net Salvage Value” is defined as the amount realized, or that the Parties agree is likely to be realized from, the sale of equipment or materials purchased with Grant Funds provided under this Agreement at its current fair market value, less selling expenses; and, (c) Direct the Grantee to transfer ownership of equipment or materials purchased with Grant Funds provided under this Agreement to the Grantor or its designee. 30.2. Grant Refunds. In accordance with the Illinois Grant Funds Recovery Act, 30 ILCS 705/1 et seq., the Grantee must, within forty-five (45) days of the effective date of a termination of this Agreement, refund to Grantor, any balance of Grant Funds not spent or not obligated as of said date. ARTICLE XXXI ADDITIONAL MODIFICATION PROVISIONS 31.1. Unilateral Modifications. The Parties agree that Grantor may, in its sole discretion, unilaterally modify this Agreement without prior approval of the Grantee when the modification is initiated by Grantor for the sole purpose of increasing the Grantee’s funding allocation as additional funds become available for the Award during the program year covered by the Term of this Agreement. A unilateral modification may also be used to de-obligate funds without prior approval of the Grantee when, a) a project is completed and funds remain that are no longer needed for the grant project, b) to secure unobligated/unspent funds, c) termination of the Grant Agreement. 31.2. Term Extensions. The Grantee acknowledges that all Grant Funds must be expended or legally obligated, and all Grant Activities, Deliverables, Milestones and Performance Measures (Exhibits A, B and E) must be completed during the Grant Term set forth in paragraph 1.4 herein. Extensions of the Award Term will be granted only for good cause, subject to the Grantor’s discretion. Pursuant to the Grant Funds Recovery Act (30 ILCS 705/1 et seq.), no Award may be extended in total beyond a two (2)-year period unless the Grant Funds are expended or legally obligated during that initial two-year period, or unless Grant Funds are disbursed for reimbursement of costs previously incurred by the Grantee. If Grantee requires an extension of the Award Term, Grantee should submit a written request to the Grant Manager at least sixty (60) days prior to the end of the Award Term or extended Award Term, as applicable, stating the reason for the extension. ARTICLE XXXII ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT OR PROPERTY PROVISIONS 32.1. Equipment Management. The Grantee is responsible for replacing or repairing equipment and materials purchased with Grant Funds that are lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed. Any loss, damage or theft of equipment and materials shall be investigated and fully documented, and immediately reported to the Grantor and, where appropriate, the appropriate authorities. 32.2. Grantee will be responsible for the maintenance of any equipment purchased with grant funds. ARTICLE XXXII APPLICABLE STATUTES To the extent applicable, Grantor and Grantee shall comply with the following: 33.1. Grantee Responsibility. All applicable federal, State and local laws, rules and regulations governing the performance required by Grantee shall apply to this Agreement and will be deemed to be included in this Agreement the same as though written herein in full. Grantee is responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including, but not limited to those specifically referenced herein. Except where expressly required by applicable laws and regulations, the Grantor shall not be responsible for monitoring Grantee's compliance. 33.2. Land Trust/Beneficial Interest Disclosure Act (765 ILCS 405/2.1). No Grant Funds shall be paid to any trustee of a land trust, or any beneficiary or beneficiaries of a land trust, for any purpose relating to the land, which is the subject of such trust, any interest in such land, improvements to such land or use of such land unless an affidavit is first filed with the Grantor identifying each beneficiary of the land trust by name and address and defining such interest therein. 33.3. Historic Preservation Act (20 ILCS 3420/1 et seq.). The Grantee will not expend Grant Funds under this Agreement which result in the destruction, alteration, renovation, transfer or sale, or utilization of a historic property, structure or structures, or in the introduction of visual, audible or atmospheric elements to a historic property, structure or structures, which will result in the change in the character or use of any historic property, except as approved by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Historic Preservation Division. The Grantee shall not expend Grant Funds under this Agreement for any project, activity, or program that can result in changes in the character or use of historic property, if any historic property is located in the area of potential effects without the approval of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Historic Preservation Division. 20 ILCS 3420/3(f). 33.4. Steel Products Procurement Act (30 ILCS 565 et seq.). The Grantee, if applicable, hereby certifies that any steel products used or supplied in accordance with this Award for a public works project shall be manufactured or produced in the United States per the requirements of the Steel Products Procurement Act (30 ILCS 565 et seq.). ARTICLE XXXIV ADDITIONAL MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 34.1. Workers’ Compensation Insurance, Social Security, Retirement and Health Insurance Benefits, and Taxes. The Grantee shall provide Workers’ Compensation insurance where the same is required and shall accept full responsibility for the payment of unemployment insurance, premiums for Workers’ Compensation, Social Security and retirement and health insurance benefits, as well as all income tax deduction and any other taxes or payroll deductions required by law for its employees who are performing services specified by this Agreement. ARTICLE XXXV ADDITIONAL REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS The Grantee makes the following certifications as a condition of this Agreement. These certifications are required by State statute and are in addition to any certifications required by any Federal funding source as set forth in this Agreement. Grantee’s execution of this Agreement shall serve as its attestation that the certifications made herein are true and correct. 35.1. Compliance With Applicable Law. The Grantee certifies that it shall comply with all applicable provisions of federal, state and local law in the performance of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement. 35.2. Applicable Taxes. The execution of this Agreement by the Grantee is its certification that (i) it is current as to the filing and payment of any federal, state and/or local taxes applicable to Grantee; and (ii) it is not delinquent in its payment of moneys owed to any federal, state, or local unit of government. 35.3. Lien Waivers. If applicable, the Grantee shall monitor construction to assure that necessary contractor’s affidavits and waivers of mechanics liens are obtained prior to release of Grant Funds to contractors and subcontractors. ARTICLE XXXVI INCORPORATION 36.1. Incorporation into Agreement. The full Uniform Application, Unform Budget, Grant Manual, and attached documents are hereby incorporated into this Agreement and therefore are a part of this Agreement. ARTICLE XXXVII GRANT PROGRAM SPECIFIC TERMS 37.1 The purpose of this Agreement is to enable IDNR to provide financial assistance to the Grantee to acquire and/or develop land for public snowmobiling opportunities that are open and accessible to the public in Illinois. 37.2 The Grantee must display at the specified project site a STEF grant program acknowledgment sign or, on equipment purchased, a grant acknowledgment decal. DNR will furnish the required decal. 37.3 With the exception of designated snowmobile routes on township roads, all snowmobile facilities developed with assistance from the STEF shall be posted with a permanent warning sign at all ingress or egress points to the facility, which sign shall say, the following: "Snowmobilers use this facility at their own risk.” 37.4 The Grantee nor its employees, agents, or subcontractors shall be deemed to be an agent of the state or of DNR. 37.5 DNR representatives shall have access to the herein specified Project sites at all times during construction to assess Project progress and after completion during facility operation to ensure continuing compliance with program regulations. 37.6 This agreement may not be assigned or transferred in whole or in part by the Grantee without the prior written consent of DNR. 37.7 The Grantee agrees to comply with all applicable state laws regarding the expenditure of public funds while expending funds in conjunction with the terms of this Project Agreement. 37.8 The Department of Natural Resources shall have full rights and authority to take such action as deemed necessary, whether by way of injunction or otherwise to properly enforce the terms and conditions of this Agreement should Grantee breach, violate or otherwise fail to comply with said terms and conditions. 37.9 The Grantee agrees that its failure to obtain all necessary permits, licenses or forms of consent from the appropriate agencies, departments or individuals can result in a breach of this agreement. 37.10 The State of Illinois does not waive sovereign immunity by entering into the Agreement. 37.11 The agency that signs for the State of Illinois shall be the only state entity responsible for performance and payment under the Agreement. When an authorized designee signs in addition to an Agency, he or she does so as approving officer, and shall have no liability to the Grantee. 37.12 This agreement and all related public records maintained by, provided to or required by the State are subject to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) (5 ILCS 140) notwithstanding any provision to the contrary that may be found in this agreement. 37.13 The Grantee shall indemnify, protect and hold harmless DNR and its agents from any and all liabilities, costs, damages and claims arising as a direct or indirect result of the construction, operation, use or maintenance of snowmobile facilities developed or equipment purchased under the terms of this Project Agreement. 37.14 Conversion of program-assisted property from public recreation and snowmobile use shall be considered a breach of this agreement and may result in the Grantee being liable for replacing the converted property with new or other property or facilities deemed comparable by DNR in terms of market value, snowmobiling usefulness and location. 37.15 In the event the Grantee, its employees, volunteers or subcontractors damage any DNR property and such property is deemed irreparable by a DNR representative(s), the Grantee will be liable for securing replacement property with new or other property or facilities deemed comparable by DNR in terms of market value, snowmobiling usefulness, and location.

Other; Nonprofit Organizations;

Any eligible 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.

N/A

Project Grants

Quality of Natural, Cultural, and Environmental Resources

N/A

Applications must be received by 5:00 PM on March 19, 2023. Funding decisions may take up to 1 year.

IDNR will publish pre-application coordination opportunities on our website: https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/Grants/Pages/SnowmobileTrailEstablishmentFund.aspx

Evaluation Criteria 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. 1. Projects of high need (20%): • Trail significance - the estimated users that will be attracted to the trail/trail site; will it have potential for interstate, State, regional or local importance • Geographic distribution – will the proposed project, considering the trail type and proposed users of the trail or site, be the first in the county, area, or region • Population served. 2. Project concept and quality (55%): • Project type: i. acquisition of land for new trails/trail sites; ii. initial development of trails/trail sites; iii. additional development of existing trails/trail sites; and iv. renovation of existing trails/trail facilities; • Trail length; • Diversity of trail use; • Scenic quality of the trail corridor or the trail site; • Availability of necessary amenities/support facilities, such as drinking water, restrooms and parking; and • Project sponsor maintenance capabilities and projects having the most long-term, stable management potential. 3. Environmental suitability of the proposed trail/trail site (5%) 4. Local support for the proposed project (5%) 5. Local financial contribution (5%) 6. Overall program suitability (5%) 7. Applicant/Application factors (5%): Consideration is given to the applicant's past performance in completing 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 All applications received on time and containing the information required by the application packet will be reviewed by IDNR staff. Incomplete applications will be discussed with the applicant for completion and resubmittal. Submitting an incomplete application does not extend the application deadline beyond the designated deadline date. All complete, eligible and timely applications will be reviewed for evaluation and recommendation to the IDNR Director, who makes the final decision on awards. 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

Each applicant will be notified by letter and/or email of the Director’s decision regarding whether their application will be recommendation for awarding. The full process can take up to 1 year.

Award cycle dates may vary

Funding decisions may take up to 1 year

Appeals pursuant To 44 Il Admin Code 7000.350

No cost extensions are allowed without prior DNR approval

Grants are up to 100% reimbursement (no advance payments)

Eligible project costs include development of snowmobile trails, equipment costs, operation/maintenance/storage/insurance costs and liability insurance. No dollar limit (except on operation/maintenance/storage/insurance costs).

The grantee is required to submit the following reports: Periodic Performance Report (PPR) that describes the progress of the project, and the Periodic Financial Report (PFR) that documents expenditure of funds in accordance with the budget line items as detailed in the approved Uniform Budget.

Audit requirements per JCAR Title 44 Illinois Administrative Code 7000.90

All financial records on approved projects must be maintained and retained, in accordance with State laws, by the project sponsor for possible State audit after final reimbursement payment is made by the Department.

422-11-1162

TBD

The STEF program can provide up to 100% of eligible development/rehabilitation and equipment costs incurred by a local agency that benefit public snowmobiling opportunities solely.

Agencies eligible for financial assistance through the Snowmobile Trail Establishment Fund, hereafter referred to as STEF grant program, include any private snowmobile club or organization in Illinois having not-for-profit incorporation status with the State. Clubs/organizations seeking financial assistance through the grant program must also possess minimum liability insurance coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence on the snowmobile facilities to be operated under the scope of the proposed project application. STEF funds may only be awarded and used for snowmobile projects located within the state boundaries of Illinois.

JCAR: TITLE 17: CONSERVATION CHAPTER I: DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES SUBCHAPTER g: GRANTS PART 3020 SNOWMOBILE TRAIL ESTABLISHMENT FUND GRANT PROGRAM

N/A

One Natural Resources Way Springfield, IL 62702

https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/Grants/Pages/SnowmobileTrailEstablishmentFund.aspx

SNOW

The intent of the grant program is to provide 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, designated roadways or private land opened, as defined herein, to such use. Funds for the grant program are derived from revenue generated in the State Treasurer's "Snowmobile Trail Establishment Fund."

1/19/2023

FY 2020 : $442,400
FY 2021 : $149,000
FY 2023 : $200,000