Repair and rehabilitate Flat Top National Recreational Trail | P18AS00100

Opportunity Information: Apply for P18AS00100

The Department of the Interior, National Park Service announced a discretionary funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number P18AS00100) to repair and rehabilitate the Flat Top National Recreation Trail through a cooperative agreement. The Flat Top Trail is recognized as a National Recreation Trail, meaning it is valued for connecting people to nearby resources and supporting quality-of-life benefits through outdoor access. The trail is also known for its substantial elevation change of about 1,600 feet, scenic viewpoints, and shifting forest ecology, all of which contribute to heavy use and the need for long-term, sustainable maintenance.

The core purpose of the project is major restoration work focused on improving trail sustainability, user safety, and resource protection. The scope includes addressing drainage and erosion issues along roughly 10,000 linear feet of trail, which is a key measure for preventing further trail degradation and limiting sediment movement into surrounding habitats and waterways. A major component of the work is installing or refreshing approximately 100 waterbars to better divert water off the trail tread and reduce rutting, gullying, and washouts. Additional trail hardening and stabilization activities include reinforcing trail edges with rock or log cribbing, adding tread material to rebuild worn surfaces, and adding or renovating steps in steep sections to reduce slippage and widening caused by users trying to avoid difficult spots.

Safety and environmental improvements are also central to the work plan. The project includes removing hazardous trees that could threaten visitors or crews, improving creek crossings to make them safer and more resilient during high water events, and removing invasive vegetation to protect native plant communities and the trail corridor. Taken together, these tasks are meant to keep the trail passable and enjoyable while reducing ongoing maintenance needs and minimizing impacts to the surrounding ecosystem.

Work on the ground is expected to be carried out primarily by National Park Service day labor staff, supported by an American Conservation Experience (ACE) intern crew consisting of one crew leader and five team members for an eight-week period, with volunteers potentially assisting if available. The funding listing identified an award ceiling of $39,840, was created on August 22, 2018, and originally closed on August 31, 2018. Eligible applicants were described as 501(c)(3) nonprofits (excluding institutions of higher education) and other entities as clarified in the opportunity's additional eligibility information. The funding activity category was Natural Resources under CFDA 15.931, reflecting the project focus on conserving and sustaining public land recreational infrastructure and associated natural resources.

• The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Repair and rehabilitate Flat Top National Recreational Trail" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.931.
• This funding opportunity was created on Aug 22, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 31, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $39,840.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for P18AS00100

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