IowaDNR: Snowmobile Trail Grant Program

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) offers the Snowmobile Trail Grant Program, providing financial support for the development and maintenance of snowmobile trails using registration fees. Managed by the Iowa State Snowmobile Association, the program ensures public access to trails and supports equipment purchases for trail grooming, fostering outdoor recreation and conservation efforts in Iowa.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources [DNR]
The DNR manages fish and wildlife programs, ensures the health of Iowa’s forests and prairies, and provides recreational opportunities in Iowa’s state parks. Just as importantly, the DNR carries out state and federal laws that protect air, land and water through technical assistance, permitting and compliance programs. The DNR also encourages the enjoyment and stewardship of natural resources among Iowans through outreach and education.
The DNR's mission:
To conserve and enhance our natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organizations to improve the quality of life in Iowa and ensure a legacy for future generations.
The State of Iowa offers financial assistance through the Iowa Snowmobile Program for the development and maintenance of snowmobile trails. This program is funded from snowmobile registration fees and use permits.
Effective September 5, 2017, administration of this grant program has been assigned to the Iowa State Snowmobile Association. Seventy percent of the revenue deposited into the snowmobile fund by the state treasury will be used by the association for the purposes of providing access to trails and the purchase and upkeep of the grooming fleet.
The Iowa State Snowmobile Association is required to develop forms, rules, scoring criteria, and the timeframes for the grant program. A cooperative contract between the DNR and ISSA is in place to provide oversight of the use of state money by ISSA.

Eligibility

Incorporated private organizations, cities, and counties are eligible to apply for these grants.This program provides funds from snowmobile registrations to political subdivisions and incorporated private organizations for the acquisition of land and for the development and maintenance of snowmobile trails and facilities.All areas, trails, and facilities established or maintained using revenues under this program shall be open to use by the general public.Manufactured products or machinery purchased by sponsors with state assistance under this program shall be used only for the purpose of establishing or maintaining riding areas, trails, or facilities, and as emergency rescue equipment where applicable.Items Eligible for Funding:Grooming equipment:The project sponsor shall have a minimum of 75 miles of groomed snowmobile trail before the program awards funding for a groomer purchase or lease.If the purchase and lease of groomers and drags are approved by the grant review and selection committee, the program or sponsors may acquire or lease snow grooming equipment with snowmobile program funds.After written approval by the program and upon trade-in to the program of a used groomer by a sponsor for replacement purposes, the trade-in value may be applied to the new groomer purchase.The sponsor is responsible for groomer and drag operation and maintenance as required in the equipment agreement.Upon sale or trade-in of a used groomer with no replacement, the snowmobile fund shall refund to the sponsor the percentage of the trade-in value that matches the percent originally invested in the groomer.Groomers shall not be moved between sponsors without prior written approval from the program.
Groomer maintenance, repair, and operation.Trail signs: Only those signs approved by the program for use on funded areas or trails shall be used by the sponsor.Gates, fence openings, bridges, culverts, and permanent bridges. Permanent bridges are eligible only if placed on public land or on private property under a lease or easement for ten or more years. All funding of permanent bridges must include approval of controlling government entity i.e. Corp of Engineers or County Drainage Trustees.Program and facility liability insurance shall be in place for project sponsors receiving grant funds. If insurance is purchased by the sponsor, proof of liability insurance shall be provided to the program.The program may purchase a statewide insurance policy covering all project sponsors receiving funds from the snowmobile grant program, in which case a copy of the policy shall be made available to covered sponsors upon request. This insurance coverage may include liability insurance for the landowner(s) or other insurable interests.Snowmobile registration funds shall not be used to purchase insurance for special events.All insurance paid under this sub-rule must be furnished by companies licensed to do business in IowaDirect payment to vendors. The program may establish operational procedures to facilitate direct payment to vendors for:Major expenditures or specialty items including but not limited to land acquisitions, groomer purchases, development expenses, program liability insurance fees, and trail signs.Unexpected repairs including materials or other expenses that may be necessary to operate the snowmobile trails in a safe manner.Groomer Selection Criteria:Age of existing equipmentGeographic locationClub size History of maintenanceHistory of average grooming/yearMiles of trailProximity to population / heavy trafficConnection to other club / state trailsAbility for financial commitment Only those expenditures contained in signed agreements may be prepaid. Program or facility liability insurance may be prepaid up to 100 percent. Approved facility and development costs and operations and maintenance costs may be prepaid up to 90 percent. Any other early reimbursement must be approved by the ISSA RSC.Sponsor Match Criteria:New Equipment - 25% matchUsed 1-5 years old - 20% matchUsed 6-10 years old - 15% matchUsed 11-15 years old - 10% match