EXHIBIT A
GRANT APPLICATION CHECK LIST
MANDATORY:
☐ Signed letter of resolution from Governing Body that includes resources/support committed to the project ☐ Exhibit A – Application ☐ Exhibit B – Budget (Unprotected Excel CPW form) ☐ Environmental Forms (not required for Planning/Support grants) ☐ Maps/Photos/Graphics [Separate PDF document(s)] DO NOT combine with application ☐ Letters of Support (maximum of 5). No letters from clubs, groups or individuals specifically working on the project ☐ Project can be completed within 2.5 years from receiving grant ☐ Required MATCH funding is secured, including CASH match funds ☐ CPW Area Manager was contacted about the project by Sept 1st and applicant has discussed the project with them. (Not required for support grants) Note: ALL projects will be reviewed by CPW for wildlife impacts ☐ (Construction only) Project area is owned by public land agency or has easement that designates the area to be open to public outdoor recreation for at least 25 years ☐ (Construction Only) Formal Environmental Assessment (EA) or NEPA has been completed with final approval for the project area (federal lands only, include link to EA) ☐ Construction projects have been evaluated for required permits and if required, permits have been acquired (404 permit, etc.)
ADDITIONAL PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS: ☐ Youth Corps or youth organization will be used on the project (name of organization) ☐ Volunteers will be utilized on the project (name organization)
September 28, 2018
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Division Trails Program 13787 U.S. Hwy 85 N. Littleton, CO 80125
Re: Trail Grant Opportunity
To Whom It May Concern:
Attached, please find Rocky Mountain Field Institute’s (RMFI) application for the 2018-2019 State Trails grant program. RMFI is applying for funds to support our work to improve the Devil’s Playground Trail on the west flank of Pikes Peak - America’s Mountain, one of the most- visited mountains in the world.
The Devil’s Playground Trail, located entirely within the Pike National Forest, is one of two hiking trails to the summit of Pikes Peak. It starts near the Crags Campground south of Divide, Colorado, and offers hikers stunning views of mountain ranges to the west. It is less congested than the Barr Trail, which ascends the eastern face of the mountain from Manitou Springs. The trail is owned and managed by the U.S. Forest Service and will be under their control for at least the next 25 years.
RMFI’s eight-member Board of Directors strongly supports the Devil’s Playground Trail Improvement project in its entirety, including construction and long-term maintenance. The current state of the trail is poor; the trail is aligned with the fall line in many locations and it lacks proper stabilization structures in areas where the slope exceeds gradient standards. In some areas both above and below tree line, the trail is incised up to 4 feet and over-widened up to 20 feet. Because the trail does not drain properly, channelized water flows have scoured the soil, leading to mass wasting of vegetation and loose rock. Hikers must pick their way up the trail, often stepping on sensitive alpine plants instead of using durable surfaces.
In 2016, Pikes Peak was adopted into the Find Your Fourteener campaign, an initiative of the National Forest Foundation (NFF) to accelerate the pace and scale of stewardship work being completed on Colorado’s 14,000 foot peaks. With support from the NFF, RMFI has been working to stabilize the existing Devil’s Playground Trail during the last two field seasons. In 2019, RMFI plans to begin construction of a new, 3.85- mile trail with the help of youth conservation corps organizations and community volunteers; we expect it will take no more than 6 seasons to complete. After completion of the new route, the old trail will be actively restored to avoid further degradation.
Colorado’s 14,000+ foot peaks are continuing to increase in popularity, drawing tens of thousands of visitors each year to experience the challenge and scenery these iconic peaks offer. With such user demand and the natural resource degradation that accompanies such use, it is critical that a sustainable west-side hiking trail to the summit of Pikes Peak be improved. This project will protect fragile plants and animals, reduce visitor impacts to the area, enhance the quality of the user experience, and improve overall hiker and user safety.
We hope that you will look favorably upon our request. We believe that your support will benefit the mountain environment as well as the citizens and visitors of Colorado. We thank you in advance for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Lori Nicholson Board President, Rocky Mountain Field Institute
The Nonprofit Steward of Public Lands in Southern Colorado
Scanned with CamScanner EXHIBIT A
NON-MOTORIZED MAINTENANCE/CONSTRUCTION APPLICATION Applicant or Organization Name: Mailing Address: Applicant Lead Contact Name: Title: Is this the primary contact Telephone: Email: for this grant: YES NO OFFICIAL USE ONLY – DUNS # (IF REQUIRED): PROJECT MANAGER (this person will have day-to-day responsibility for the project) Name: Mailing Address: Telephone: Email:
PRIMARY PARTNER INFORMATION (IF APPLICABLE) Name: Mailing Address:
Partner Contact Name: Title: Is this the primary contact Telephone: Email: for this grant: YES NO
ABOUT THE PROJECT Project Title: Grant Request: $ Required Match: $ Total Project Cost: $ Project Description: Please write a 2-3 paragraph description of your project and the expected accomplishments. Be sure to include Who, What, When, and Where.) This is your scope of work. (This section is not the place to talk about the project background, the benefits, the funding, or anything other than the actual work to be accomplished. Please address this information in question #1 of the Selection Criteria.)
WHO? Who will complete the work and who will oversee the project? Provide a brief description of your community or organization, highlighting its mission and purpose.
WHAT? Explain what you are going to do or accomplish. What is the goal or the reason for your project? Break down the project into a list of specific activities to be completed. These should be quantifiable items that correspond to the categories on your budget page. Include quantity or quality as part of your description of work to be performed. How long? How many? How many feet? How many miles? What materials will be used? Is a specific standard or guideline being used?
WHERE? Explain in detail the location of your project. Where is the project located? What county? What National Forest/ BLM Field Office? Provide the names of the trail(s) or trail system and where the work will be performed? What agency manages or is responsible for the land the project is on?
DEFINITIONS? Please define all acronyms and specialized terms that are used in your project description. EXHIBIT A
Project Description: EXHIBIT A
LAND OWNERSHIP 1. Provide the name/s of the property owners: 2. The trail corridor is controlled by: Fee Simple Lease Easement License Right-of-Way Other: USER INFORMATION (Please check all that apply) Hiking Motorcycling Equestrian
Walking Four-Wheeling ADA Accessible
Running All-Terrain Vehicle Paddling
Skateboarding Snowmobiling Other
In-Line Skating Snowshoeing Other
Biking X-Country Skiing Other TRAIL SURFACE Asphalt Concrete Other
Natural Crusher Fines Other PROJECT LOCATION (For multiple project sites attach a separate list.) Nearest Town or City:
County:
Latitude & Longitude Coordinates:
State Congressional District (https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members):
Acreage of new trailhead Miles of trail grooming
Miles of new trail construction Miles of trail being planned
Miles of trail maintenance Miles of trail reroute
Miles of trail reconstruction Miles of inter-connecting trail
Miles of trail to be signed Other
Miles of trail restoration Other
Applicant Authorized Signature: ______Date: ______(From Applicant Organization)
Land Agency Authorized Signature: ______Date: ______(From project location land agency, if different from applicant) EXHIBIT A
TIMELINE
Provide a timeline estimate using the following form. Remember that the project is to be completed within two and a half years of the award date. Any proposed changes, including extensions or modifications in the project timeline, must be requested in writing and approved in advance by the State Trails Program.
PRELIMINARY TIMELINE ESTIMATE
Jul- Oct- Jan- Apr- Jul- Oct- Jan- Apr- Jul- Oct- TASK Sep Dec Mar Jun Sep Dec Mar Jun Sep Dec 2019 2019 2020 2020 2020 2020 2021 2021 2021 2021 Project Initiation
Mobilization
Maintenance/Construction
Phase
Administrative Close-Out Grand Opening
EXHIBIT A
1. SCOPE (15 Points)
EXHIBIT A
2. (SCOPE) Access/Trail Connections (5 points)
EXHIBIT A
3. NEED (10 Points)
EXHIBIT A
4. (PLANNING/SUSTAINABILITY) Planning and Prioritization Process (10 points)
EXHIBIT A
5. (PLANNING/SUSTAINABILITY) Operation and Maintenance Plan (10 points)
EXHIBIT A
6. (PLANNING/SUSTAINABILITY) Financial Sustainability (10 points)
EXHIBIT A
7. (PLANNING/SUSTAINABILITY) Wildlife and Natural Resources (10 points)
EXHIBIT A
8. PUBLIC COMMENT (15 points)
EXHIBIT A
9. (ABILITY) Matching Funds and Partnerships (10 points)
EXHIBIT A
10. (ABILITY) Contingency/Ability (5 points)
Exhibit B Budget Form - Project Name: Devil's Playground Trail Improvement Project - CPW Trails Date Total Project Total Funding SOURCE OF FUNDS Grant Request Secured Match [B] ($) [C] [A] CASH CPW-Trails anticipated 5/19 $ 250,000.00 $ 250,000.00 National Forest Foundation FYF Campaign anticipated 1/19 $ 20,049.99 $ 20,049.99 Gates Family Foundation secured 9/18 $ 5,000.00 $ 5,000.00 $ - IN-KIND U.S. Forest Service $ 4,500.00 $ 4,500.00 Youth Corps Work Crews $ 47,499.00 $ 47,499.00 $ - $ - TOTAL SOURCES OF FUNDS $ 250,000.00 $ 77,048.99 $ 327,048.99
Total Project Total Funding Balance [CASH] Description of Work Qty Unit Unit Price Total (B*D) CPW Funds Match ($) ($) [should be 0] CATEGORY 1-Contracted Services Identify as: Youth Corps, Engineering, Contractor, etc. Youth Corps (30 hitches over 3 seasons) 30 each $ 8,300.00 $ 249,000.00 $ 223,950.01 $ 25,049.99 $ 249,000.00 0 $ - $ - 0 $ - $ - 0 $ - $ - 0 Category 2 - Salary/Wages Grant Administration (5% of award) 355.714 hours $ 35.00 $ 12,449.99 $ 12,449.99 $ 12,449.99 0 RMFI Project Management Staff (3 staff x 3 seasons) 68 days $ 200.00 $ 13,600.00 $ 13,600.00 $ 13,600.00 0 $ - $ - 0 $ - $ - 0 $ - $ - 0 CATEGORY 3-Materials/Supplies Identify as: Signs, crusherfines, native seed, weed barrier, etc. $ - $ - 0 $ - $ - 0 Additional Categories $ - $ - 0 $ - $ - 0 USE OF FUNDS - CASH SUBTOTAL $ 250,000.00 $ 25,049.99 $ 275,049.99
Total Funding Balance [IN-KIND] Description of Work Qty Unit Unit Price Total (B*D) ($) [should be 0] Category 1 - Contracted Services Youth Corps Work Crews 3 $ 15,833.00 $ 47,499.00 $ 47,499.00 $ 47,499.00 0 $ - $ - 0 $ - $ - $ - 0 Category 2 - Salary/Wages U.S. Forest Service - Project Oversight (3 field 3 $ 1,500.00 $ 4,500.00 $ 4,500.00 $ 4,500.00 seasons) 0 $ - $ - $ - 0 $ - $ - $ - 0 Category 3 - Materials/Tools $ - $ - $ - 0 Additional Categories $ - $ - $ - 0 IN-KIND SUBTOTAL $ 51,999.00 $ 51,999.00
TOTAL PROJECT COST $ 250,000.00 $ 77,048.99 $ 327,048.99 30% REQUIRED MATCH $ 75,000.00
Exhibit B Page 1 of 1
Devil’s Playground Trail Improvement Project – Project Photographs
Above: Images of Mile 1 of the Devil’s Playground Trail Re-Route. Below: Example of existing Devil’s Playground Trail. Note over-widening of ~15 feet.
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Above: Examples of existing Devil’s Playground Trail. Note over-widening of ~15 feet and incision of up to 4 feet.
Below: RMFI and Mile High Youth Corps crews stabilizing existing Devil’s Playground Trail.
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Above: Work crews carrying logs for in-trail stabilization structures on the Devil’s Playground Trail. Below: The Devil’s Playground Trail is utilized by many user-types, including mountain bikes.
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September 26, 2018
National Forest Foundation 390 Union Blvd Ste. 400 Denver, Colorado 80228
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Division Colorado State Trails Program 13787 U.S. Hwy 85 N. Littleton, CO 80125
Dear State Trails Grant Review Committee,
I am writing to share the National Forest Foundation’s support for the Rocky Mountain Field Institute (RMFI) and the Devil’s Playground Trail Project. The NFF is thrilled to see this project move forward for consideration by the State Trails Committee.
The NFF recently launched the Find Your Fourteener campaign, a collaborative partnership between nine Colorado stewardship organizations and the Forest Service, to improve sustainable access to Colorado’s iconic 14,000-foot peaks. In 2016, Pikes Peak – specifically the Devil’s Playground Trail - was adopted into the campaign as a priority peak. With support from the NFF and other sponsors, RMFI has been working to stabilize the Devil’s Playground Trail for the last two field seasons while the Forest Service completed necessary clearance and design work for a re-route. In 2019, RMFI will begin construction of a multi-year reroute project. Once the re-route is complete, the old alignment will be actively restored to avoid further degradation to the alpine.
As you read in RMFI’s application, the Devil’s Playground Trail offers spectacular scenery and a unique route to the summit of “America’s Mountain.” The Trail is a major asset to the Pikes Peak Region, yet it is in very poor condition because of destructive erosion, gullies and instability. For these reasons, the threat to rare alpine flora, and the rising levels of use, the NFF supports RMFI’s commitment to begin construction of a major reroute in 2019 and has committed to further leverage funds that may be received from the State Trails Program.
At the NFF, we believe that RMFI is an incredible asset to Colorado. RMFI’s reputation for executing complex, multi-year projects is second-to-none. RMFI’s excellence in stewardship has been recognized nationally, and RMFI has for years implemented successful projects with funding from the NFF. We hope to continue working with this fantastic organization for years to come and cannot recommend them enough. Please give special consideration to the application from RMFI for the Devil’s Playground Trail Improvement Project. I am thrilled to support the application.
Sincerely,
Emily Olsen, Colorado Program Manager Page | 1