BARKER, FITZHUGH DELIVER FOR DYER COUNTYJune 03, 2010 (State Gazette) Gov. Phil Bredesen (D) and Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke recently announced more than $1.9 million in Recreational Trail Program grants will be awarded to recipients across Tennessee. Dyer County will receive $80,000 to create a floating boat dock and launch at the Dyersburg River Park and Blueway, in addition to a restroom/shower facility, interpretative signage and a short walking trail to the boat dock. Diana Threadgill is the executive director of the Mississippi River Corridor Tennessee (MRCT) and assisted Dyer County in applying for the money. "The MRCT is delighted to have submitted the grant on behalf of Dyer County and we are looking forward to a wonderful partnership," said Threadgill. "We are just really thankful for Mayor Hill and the Dyer County MRCT Task Force Committee to help expedite projects like this. It has been a pleasure working with all of them." Rep. Craig Fitzhugh (D-Ripley), Rep. Judy Barker (D-Union City) and Sen. Mark Norris represent Dyer County in the General Assembly. "I´m pleased these grants will help improve the quality of our trails and greenways in Dyer County and across the state," said Fitzhugh. "These projects help make the great outdoors even more accessible for all to enjoy," said Barker. "These grants help local governments and organizations enhance or expand community assets like trails, greenways and recreational facilities," said Bredesen. "I´m extremely pleased this year´s grant awards will allow us to help 29 community projects become a reality across Tennessee." The Recreational Trails Program is a federally funded program established to distribute funding for motorized, non-motorized and diverse recreation trail projects. The funds are available to federal, state and local government agencies, as well as non-profit organizations that have obtained IRS 501(c)(3) status and have a written trail management agreement with the agency that owns the property where the trail project is located. Recreational Trails Program grants may be used for non-routine maintenance and restoration of existing trails, development and rehabilitation, trailside or trailhead facilities such as restrooms, kiosks and parking lots, construction of new trails and land acquisition for recreational trails or corridors. "These awards will help fund some very exciting projects," said Fyke. "From the development of new greenways and trails to more ADA-compliant facilities - these projects will make a variety of recreational opportunities accessible to Tennesseans." Funding for RTP grants is provided by the Federal Highway Administration through the federal Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act. The Department of Environment and Conservation administers this grant program for the state of Tennessee. The maximum federal share for each project is 80 percent, with RTP grant recipients providing a 20 percent match.
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