SHN assists clients in obtaining funding for project planning, design, and construction. Typically, funding strategies means identifying the sources appropriate to the clients specific project. SHN staff members have an excellent working knowledge of the following funding programs:





TEA-21 allocates funds that provide for transportation alternatives. These can include pedestrian and bicycle projects, parkland acquisition, landscaping, and preservation of historic structures. The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program funds projects to reduce air pollution in urban areas with population over 200,000. A new round of transportation enhancement funding is anticipated with a budget of over 20 $billion allocated nationwide over the next six years. Almost 40 $billion is also allocated for public transit.







The California Department of Parks and Recreation administers this federally-funded grant program. NRTFA was created to fund the acquisition and development of recreational trails and has provisions for motorized as well as non-motorized trails. Roughly $300,000 is available annually for non-motorized trail projects, which are required to provide a 50% match from non-federal sources. Cities, counties, districts, state agencies, and nonprofit organizations with management responsibility are eligible to apply for these funds.







The SCC funds coastal access trails, waterfront boardwalks and shoreline rock revetment improvements to improve pedestrian coastal access.







A California Law. Quimby Act Fees are developers' assessments that can be used for construction of recreational facilities, including pathways, but not for on-going maintenance or general labor. Fees assessed within the Coastal Zone must be used within the Coastal Zone, while fees assessed outside the Coastal Zone can be used either inside or outside the zone.








Cities and counties can annually apply for these grants up to $800,000 for pedestrian, bicycling, and traffic calming improvements as part of an overall design plan. Planning, engineering, design and construction are all eligible activities.







Local redevelopment agencies have tax increment funds for infrastructure improvements that benefit a given redevelopment project area. Improvement funding is available only for activity located within the adopted Redevelopment Agency Project area boundaries.







Air Quality Management Districts throughout the State of California are allowed to collect up to $4 per vehicle each year. This money is earmarked to reduce pollutant emissions from motor vehicles. Projects eligible for these funds include improvements to bicycle and pedestrian facilities that would decrease motor vehicle trips.







The BLA is a statewide fund earmarked specifically for bike paths, trails, lanes, bridges and other improvements. It requires a 10% local matching contribution. The fund has had many more requests than money available, and is increasing every year through the year 2004, when it will reach $5 million annually.







The SHOPP is administered by the State Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for transportation projects that do not increase highway capacity. District Directors can use these funds for local improvements, such as widening state roadway shoulders to accommodate bicycles. SHOPP projects can be up to $750,000 each.







In California, the state returns 1/2 cent of the seven cents collected for sales tax. This money is generally earmarked for transit operations and facilities, but some may be used for street and road repair if all unmet needs are satisfied. Local transportation planning agencies may set aside 2% annually for bike and pedestrian projects.







This law changes how transportation money is administered, giving much more local control for project funding (instead of most or all project funding controlled by Caltrans). The law states that all modes of travel must be planned for over the next 20 years (Regional Transportation Plan), and included in four year funding cycles as decided upon by local elected officials (Regional Transportation Improvement Funds). If elected officials choose, regional alternative transportation projects can receive high funding priority.







The California Department of Water Resources provides grants for local stream restoration projects. The purpose of the program is to prevent property damage by floods and bank erosion to restore the natural value of streams. The grants can fund simple projects such as organizing volunteer help to monitor and clean up streams or can fund complex stream restoration work..

Urban Streams Restoration Program. (916) 327-1664 or sdenzler@water.ca.gov.

The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) provides grants for stream projects that restore fishery habitat. Funds are granted to public agencies or non-profit groups for projects which enhance, develop, or restore flowing waterways for management of fish. (916) 654-6505.

Habitat Conservation Fund Program of the California Department of Parks and Recreation includes funds for a variety of habitat conservation projects including wildlife corridors and urban trails, wetlands and riparian habitat.



To learn more about Funding Your Project, contact:

Arnie Herskovic
(707) 441-8855
email: aherskovic@shn-engr.com





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