National Forest System Legacy Roads and Trails Fund (Legacy Trails Program)
Fact Sheet
Updated 11.07.2023

FACT SHEETNational Forest System Legacy Roads and Trails Fund (Legacy TrailsProgram) 2024-25 Field Season
American Trails is pleased to partner with the U.S. Forest Service in continuing the Legacy
Trails Grant Program. This program is funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law andsupports partner trail projects that further the Legacy Roads and Trails criteria on National
Forest System trails throughout the nine Forest Service Regions.

Project types awarded: This program will award funds to stewardship organizations andlocal government entities for completing motorized and nonmotorized trail projects on National
Forest System lands. This funding is not for routine annual trail maintenance. Projects must
improve water quality, restore aquatic organism passages, preserve access, decommission
National Forest System roads, unauthorized trails or previously closed trails, and/or provide formore resilient and sustainable National Forest System trails, trail bridges and trail infrastructure.
There is wide latitude on how projects are developed and designed. Projects can include NEPA
planning, trail clearing, brushing, tread repair, trail relocation, bridge and structure repair orreplacement, and installation of trail signs provided they contribute to the goals of the Bipartisan
Infrastructure Law. These activities may reduce existing trail deferred maintenance1. All trail
work must meet National Quality Standards2, design parameters3, and be consistent with theForest Service Trail Management Objectives4.
Who can apply: Any current nonprofit organization in good standing with the IRS or non-federal
agencies may apply for this funding. A local Forest Service agreement or contract is not neededas the National Cost Share Agreement with American Trails already authorizes work to occur on
Forest Service lands. The only exception is that a local volunteer agreement is needed if grantrecipients do not carry their own liability insurance.
Volunteers encouraged: Projects that have a volunteer component are encouraged but are
not required. Projects that rely solely on paid staff, interns, or contractors are also acceptable.
Total funding available: $1.5 million is available to fund eligible projects each year for five
years, with the first applications accepted starting in 2022. Projects are anticipated to be aminimum of $5,000 and a maximum of $100,000 per organization. We hope to fund at least one

1

Deferred maintenance is annual maintenance that wasn’t completed as scheduled
Meeting Standard infers that a trail meets the National Quality Standards for Trails in planning, constructing, andmanaging National Forest System trails and related trail project. The National Quality Standards for Trails is foundat FSH 2309.18, Chapter 10, Section 15, available at:https://www.fs.usda.gov/im/directives/fsh/2309.18/2309.18_10_Trail%20Planning_clear.doc .
3Design Parameters are technical guidelines for the survey, design, construction, maintenance, and assessment ofNational Forest System trails based on their designed use and trail class and consistent with their management
intent. More information available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/recreation/programs/trailmanagement/documents/trailfundamentals/03-TrailDesignParaHandout_Sec508_01-24-17_150dpi.pdf
4Trail Management Objectives (TMOs) document the intended purpose and management of a National ForestSystem trail.
2National Forest System Legacy Roads and Trails Fund (Legacy Trails Program)
Fact Sheetproject in each USFS Region, but there will not be a dollar amount guaranteed per USFSRegion.
Important dates: Application window for project applications opens in early October. The
application window closes in early December, and funds will be available in February. Funding
will be provided for two years. Any final payments and final reports will be due in January of thesecond year.
Match requirement: The matching contribution must be at least 20% of the requested fundingand may be accomplished through cash, contributed funding, and/or in-kind contribution.
Project management and partners: American Trails is the lead manager for this program. We
are working collaboratively with trail groups that represent a variety of trail users to review andselect projects that will provide an overall benefit to the National Forest System (NFS) lands andtrails network. Collaborating groups on the review team include the National Wilderness
Stewardship Alliance, the American Hiking Society, the Back Country Horsemen of America, theInternational Mountain Bicycling Association, the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation
Council, Tread Lightly, Trout Unlimited, UpOutside, and the American Motorcyclist Association.
For more information go to https://www.americantrails.org/ or email:trailfund@americantrails.org.