FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 6, 2004

Contact: Elaine Makatura (609) 292-2994
Dana Loschiavo (609) 984-1423

DEP AWARDS $1.2 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS FOR NEW JERSEY TRAILS

(04/137) TRENTON — New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell today announced that the DEP will allocate up to $1.2 million in federal funds to improve and to develop trails statewide.

"Outdoor trails provide residents with many ways to enjoy New Jersey's outstanding natural resources," Acting Governor Richard J. Codey said. "These grants will help us improve New Jersey's trail system and provide greater access for everyone."

"The Recreational Trails Program provides the public with recreational use of the state's premiere trail network," said Campbell. "The grants will improve access to open space, enhance environmental resources and provide additional hiking, biking and horseback riding opportunities."

DEP will award $528,000 for the development, construction and restoration of 32 trail sites recommended for funding by the New Jersey Trails Council and approved by the Federal Highway Administration. The trails are located in Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Cape May, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Monmouth, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren counties.

DEP also has reserved almost $165,000 for the development of future motorized trail projects.

In addition to projects already funded, DEP expects to make available up to $700,000 in additional federal grants in 2005 contingent upon congressional reauthorization of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Surface Transportation Bill. These grants will be administered through a competitive process, with recipients required to provide 20 percent in matching funds.

Counties, municipalities and non-profit agencies have until December 15, 2004 to apply for the anticipated 2005 funding. Interested parties can contact the DEP Trails Program at (609) 984-1339. More information is available at http://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/natural/njtrails.html.

2004 Recreational Trail Projects

Applicant Project Approved
Amount
Abram S. Hewitt State Forest – Passaic County Trailhead Access $18,400
Allaire State Park – Monmouth County Trail Restoration $3,500
Allamuchy Mountain State Park – Sussex County Sussex Branch Trail Links $3,000
Appalachian Trail Conference – Passaic, Sussex, Warren Cos. Mid-Atlantic Maintenance $10,106
Atlantic County Park System – Atlantic County Trails Enhancement $12,160
Bloomingdale Borough – Passaic County Norvin Green State Forest Trailhead $14,800
Bridgewater Township – Somerset County Middlebrook Trail Construction $10,166
Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park – Somerset County Canoe/Kayak Program $1,400
Egg Harbor Township Police Athletic League – Atlantic County Ready to Ride Training & Maintenance $50,000
Franklin Township – Somerset County Griggs-Park Greenway Trail Improvements $25,000
High Point State Park – Sussex County Winter Interpretive Program $2,000
Jersey Off Road Bicycle Association – Mercer County Mercer Park Trail Improvements $15,000
Kearny Town – Hudson County Kearny Riverbank Park $25,000
Lawrence Township – Mercer County Village Park (Lawrence Hopewell Trail) $25,000
Monmouth Battlefield State Park – Monmouth County Interpretive Trail Guide $7,000
New Jersey Conservation Foundation – Hunterdon County Wickecheoke Creek Preserve $24,170
New York-New Jersey Trail Conference – Sussex County Appalachian Trail Improvements $17,780
New Jersey Youth Corps of Plainfield – Union, Somerset Cos. Greenbrook Park $25,000
Northfield City – Atlantic County Birch Grove Park Enhancement $21,000
Passaic River Coalition – Bergen County Passaic River Park $22,295
Paterson City – Passaic County Roberto Clemente Park $25,000
Paulinskill Valley Trail Committee – Sussex, Warren Counties Trail Signage $6,807
Pequannock Township – Morris County Mountainside Park $8,724
Readington Township – Hunterdon County Trail Construction & Improvements $14,060
State Park Service – Multiple Counties Trail Map Brochures $25,000
Tewksbury Township – Hunterdon County North Trails $23,000
The Nature Conservancy – Sussex County Muckshaw Ponds Preserve $15,000
Wawayanda State Park – Sussex County Bicycle Route Completion $20,000
Wawayanda State Park – Sussex County Lake Circular Trail $24,800
? Wetlands Institute – Cape May County Jersey Islands Blueway $22,000
Wharton State Forest – Burlington County Trailhead Signs $7,470
YMCA Camp Ralph S. Mason – Warren County Ridge and Valley Trail $3,395
     
Total Approved Amount $528,033

 
###