Provides financial assistance to local governments for acquisition of property for snowmobiling, development of snowmobile trails, and equipment related to snowmobiling. Must be open and available for general public use.

N/A

Funding for the grant program is derived from revenue generated snowmobile registration fees, fines, and bond forfeitures pursuant to the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 40/9.1).

20 ILCS 805/805-70 625 ILCS 40/9-1 (fund source)

The acquisition, development and maintenance of public snowmobile trails and areas in state by units of local government through competitive reimbursement grants.

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 snowmobile areas, trails and facilities that are open and accessible to the public in Illinois. 38.2 Grantee is solely responsible for the design and implementation of the project described in its Project Application, the terms and conditions of which are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this Agreement. Failure by the Grantee to comply with any of the Agreement terms or the terms of the Project Application shall be cause for the suspension of all grant assistance obligations thereunder and may result in debarment for two grant cycles. 38.3 The Grantee agrees to implement and complete the approved project pursuant to the time schedule and plans set forth in the Project Application. Failure to render satisfactory progress or to complete the approved project to the satisfaction of IDNR per the terms of this Agreement is cause for suspension and/or termination of all obligations of IDNR under this Agreement. 38.4 Environmental and Cultural Resource Compliance: Approved grant project construction shall not commence and no payment shall be made under this grant until the Grantee, as set forth under IDNR’s Comprehensive Environmental Review Process (CERP), has initiated and completed all necessary project review and consultation with IDNR as required by section 11 of the Endangered Species Protection Act, 520 ILCS 10/11; section 17 of the Illinois Natural Areas Preservation Act, 525 ILCS 30/17; the mitigation or compensation determinations required by the Interagency Wetland Policy Act, 20 ILCS 830/1 et seq.; and the environmental and economic impact determination required by the Historic Preservation Act, 20 ILCS 3420/4. 38.5 The Grantee shall provide to the IDNR for approval all land appraisals done per this Agreement PRIOR to commencing the project land acquisition. 38.6 The Project Sponsor agrees to permanently post a grant acknowledgment sign, provided by the Department, at the project site entrance. In lieu of the DNR provided sign, the Project Sponsor may choose the option to erect a permanent grant acknowledgment sign at the project entrance to comply with Project Sponsor signing standards; provided said sign bears the Department logo and the following wording: "PUBLIC SNOWMOBILE TRAIL (FACILITY) PROVIDED THROUGH COOPERATION OF THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND FINANCED IN PART BY THE ILLINOIS SNOWMOBILE GRANT PROGRAM." 38.7 The Grantee is required to file quarterly status reports on the grant project describing the progress of the program, project, or use and expenditure of the grant funds related thereto, if the grant amount is over $25,000.00 (30 ILCS 705/4(b)(2)). 38.8 The Grantee shall be responsible for developing the project site in general accordance with the site development plan approved by IDNR and made a part of Grantee’s application. Grantee shall make all development plans and specifications available for review by IDNR upon request.

Government Organizations;

Agencies eligible for assistance under the grant program are any units of local government with statutory authority to acquire and develop lands for public park and recreational purposes. This includes, but is not limited to, counties, townships, municipalities, park districts, conservation districts, and forest preserve districts.

N/A

Project Grants

Quality of Natural, Cultural, and Environmental Resources

N/A

The following priorities are used by the Department in evaluating and recommending project applications for funding assistance consideration: a) projects advocating land acquisition in perpetuity or long-term leases or easements, as opposed to short-term lease or easement arrangements. b) projects proposing the development of a trail system, especially well-developed long-distance trails, connector trails linking several existing trails, or multiple use trails. c) 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. d) 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. e) projects having minimal adverse environmental and social effects. f) projects proposing initial development of snowmobile facilities at the project site. 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/LocalGovernmentSnowmobileProgram.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 • 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 recommended 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

Provides up to 50% reimbursement of approved facility development/rehabilitation costs and 90% of approved trail corridor land acquisition costs for public snowmobile trails and areas in the state (no advance payment). All other acquisitions are 50% reimbursement and equipment is 100% reimbursement if solely snowmobile, 50% if year-round use.

Eligible project costs include land acquisition for snowmobile areas/trail corridors, snowmobile trail construction and signage, trail grooming equipment, equipment for local agency patrol use, parking areas, security lighting, restroom facilites and warming shelters.

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.

422-11-1163

TBD

There is no maximum amount funding threshold in the SNOW program. However, awards are limited to the amount of funding available for that round.

Funding assistance up to 100% of eligible construction costs and 90% of eligible land acquisition costs for approved projects can be received through the program.

JCAR TITLE 17: CONSERVATION CHAPTER I: DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES SUBCHAPTER g: GRANTS PART 3010 ILLINOIS SNOWMOBILE GRANT PROGRAM

N/A

One Natural Resources Way Springfield, IL 62702

https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/grants/Pages/LocalGovernmentSnowmobileProgram.aspx

STEF

Grant Program must be open to the general public for snowmobile use during periods of specified snow conditions as agreed upon by the Department and local project sponsor. Property acquired or developed with program assistance may not be converted from snowmobile use without prior Department approval. Approval for property conversion will only be granted upon the local project sponsor substituting replacement property equal in fair market value and comparable in snowmobiling usefulness, quality and location, except for project areas receiving development (construction) grant assistance only, whereby this requirement shall no longer apply after the time period specified below relative to the amount of grant funds received toward the facility.

1/19/2023

FY 2019 : $486,700
FY 2020 : $250,000
FY 2021 : $120,000
FY 2023 : $350,000