FY 2012 Application Deadlines

• Non-tribal grant proposals are due to WSDOT by Friday, December 9, 2011.
• Tribal grant applications may be sent directly to the FHWA Regional Office.

PROGRAM PURPOSE

The Federal Highway Administration is now seeking grant proposals for National Scenic Byways Program funding considerations for FY 2012. The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users; P.L. 109-59, as extended to March 31, 2012, authorizes funding for half of FY 2012 at the FY 2011 level for the National Scenic Byways Program, subject to the obligation limitation. 

The actual amount available for award in FY 2012 for the National Scenic Byways Program is subject to change pending final calculations of Federal-aid highway program funding distributions or any additional funding provided by Congress.

We will continue to consider more strategic investments in our FY 2012 National Scenic Byways Program grant awards process by further targeting our resources toward projects that provide the greatest long-term benefits. We are particularly focused on projects with substantial benefits and invite applications of large-scale high-cost planning, safety, and roadway infrastructure projects that provide strategic benefits within the National Scenic Byways Program. For more information on submitting an application to the National Scenic Byways Program for funding consideration, please see http://www.bywaysonline.org/grants.

Announcement of FY 2012 Solicitation for National Scenic Byways Grant Applications

National Scenic Byways Program's FY 2012 Grant Application Guidance

Additional WSDOT application requirements

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING?

Public organizations

• Non-profit organizations
• Tribal governments affiliated with a Washington state scenic and recreational highway/ byway, or
• Tribally designated scenic byways

All projects must be within two miles of a designated scenic and recreational highway or byway.

WHAT TYPES OF PROJECTS ARE ELIGIBLE?

• An activity related to the planning, design, or development of a State or Indian tribe scenic byway program, 23 USC 162(c).
• Development and implementation of a corridor management plan to maintain the scenic, historical, recreational, cultural, natural and archaeological characteristics of a byway corridor while providing for accommodation of increased tourism and development of related amenities, 23 USC 162(c)2.
• Safety improvements to a State scenic byway, Indian tribe scenic byway, National Scenic Byway, or All-American Road to the extent that the improvements are necessary to accommodate increased traffic and changes in the types of vehicles using the highway as a result of the designation as a State scenic byway, Indian tribe scenic byway, National Scenic Byway, or All American Road, 23 USC 162(c)3.
• Construction along a scenic byway of a facility for pedestrians and bicyclists, rest area, turnout, highway shoulder improvement, overlook, or interpretive facility, 23 USC 162(c)4.
• An improvement to a scenic byway that will enhance access to an area for the purpose of recreation, including water related recreation, 23 USC 162(c)5.
• Protection of scenic, historical, recreational, cultural, natural, and archeological resources in an area adjacent to a scenic byway, 23 USC 162(c)6.
• Development and provision of tourist information to the public, including interpretive information about a scenic byway, 23 USC 162(c)7.
• Development and implementation of a scenic byway marketing program, 23 USC 162(c)8.

IS THERE A MATCH REQUIREMENT?

Yes. There must be a minimum of 20 percent in matching funds for the project. This matching requirement can be satisfied in whole or in part with State, local government, private sector, federal land management agency or Indian tribe funds. Additionally, third party in-kind donations can be credited toward the State or Indian tribe’s share of the project cost.

Washington State requires completion of a supplemental form, Certification of Sponsor Match, to be considered an eligible application.

APPLICATION AND SUBMITTAL PROCESS

Submitting an application to Federal Highway Administration is a two-step process that includes:

• All projects must be within two-miles of a designated Scenic Byway.
• All applications must be completed online and submitted electronically.
• Tribal Nations may submit applications directly to the FHWA Washington Division office.

NSBP Grants has in-depth information about funding, eligibility criteria, the online application, and other important materials.

Completed non-Tribal applications including all supporting documentation must be submitted online no later than December 9, 2011. In addition, a signed hard copy of the application must be sent to the following address post marked no later than December 9, 2011:

Ed Spilker
State Scenic Byways Coordinator
310 Maple Park Ave SE
P.O. Box 47390
Olympia, WA 98504-7390

PROGRAM CONTACTS

Ed Spilker at 360-705-7387 or SpilkeE@wsdot.wa.gov
OR
Region Local Program Engineers

WSDOT GRANT REVIEW CRITERIA

All proposals will be reviewed to ensure that they are complete and eligible for funding. WSDOT's Grant Review Committee, drawn from partner agencies and organizations, will evaluate the proposals and make a recommendation for ranking. Interviews may be conducted by WSDOT staff prior to finalizing the ranked list in order to address any questions and confirm ranking. An initial ranked list will be submitted to FHWA for approval.

WSDOT will use the following criteria to rank the project proposals for FHWA:

I. Consistency with state and federal goals and policies – (18 points total)

How well does this project fit with the state and federal guidance?

Consistency with Federal Principles of Livability (up to 6 points for the extent to which projects support livable communities)

The U. S. Department of Transportation has made livable communities a high priority. Livable communities improve the quality of life in urban, suburban, and rural communities by promoting principles and projects that integrate land use, transportation, housing, and conservation of open green space and natural resources. In support of these larger efforts, we will give priority to eligible projects that can demonstrate a value-added livability component in addition to its relationship to the byway and the byway traveler.

How well does the project support for the principles of livability as they relate to scenic byways:

1. A strong collaboration among a broad range of participants and integration of the byway experience with other transportation and/or public service efforts.
2. Integration of corridor management planning with transportation planning, and community and economic development planning with the intent to also improve the quality of life and work environments and experience for people in byway communities.
3. Enhancement of user mobility through the creation of more convenient transportation options for travelers.
4. Improvement to existing transportation choices along the byway by enhancing connections between automobile, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian options for byway travelers or by reducing congestion on existing byway facilities.
5. Improvement of accessibility and transport services for economically disadvantaged populations, non-drivers, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities, or to make goods, commodities, and services more readily available to these groups.
6. Enhancement of the unique characteristics of all communities by investing in healthy, safe and walkable neighborhoods along byways – rural, urban or suburban.

Federal Greatest Strategic Benefit Criterion (up to 3 points total)
FHWA will continue to give priority to those projects that provide the greatest strategic benefits. In particular, we have refined this criterion to give specific priority to planning, safety, and infrastructure improvements to roadway facilities that have the greatest long-term strategic benefits.

Economic Benefit Criteria (up to 3 points)
Restoring economic health and creating jobs through improvements in transportation infrastructure are among the highest priorities of the FHWA. In furtherance of these priorities, the FHWA will give priority consideration to projects and activities that create new jobs in the short-term and contribute to the economic competitiveness of the United States over the long-term. Applications are encouraged to explain how their project will contribute to increased employment and enhance economic competitiveness. In addition to a project’s transportation and economic benefits, when allocating funds to carry out the discretionary programs, the FHWA will also give consideration to providing an equitable and geographic distribution of funds.


Consistency with State Goals and Policies (up to 6 points)

Public Access Projects (Tourism/Traveler Services):

• Does the project proposal effectively address how it meets ADA requirements, and additionally will the project incorporate Universal Design elements that go above and beyond ADA requirements for accessibility?
• How does the project improve safety of the traveling public?
• How does this project provide new opportunities for people to get to scenic, recreational, natural, cultural and/or historic resources?
• Does this project integrate public access in a way that is compatible with physical features of the site?
• Does this project address the priorities contained in an approved corridor management plan, public access recreational plan as well as other state, regional or local plans?
• Does the project include interpretive or educational elements that support safety, mobility or stewardship goals?
• Does this project provide multi-modal access?

Protection and Enhancement Projects (Stewardship):

• How will this project protect or enhance existing areas with high potential for stewardship of scenic, recreational, natural, cultural and/or historic resources?
• How is the need for the project supported in studies, surveys and other analysis?
• Will the project benefit sensitive, threatened, or endangered species?
• Will the project protect historic and cultural sites of national or state significance?

Planning Projects:

• Does this project develop a new corridor management plan or update an existing plan?
• Does the project include public outreach, involvement and participation?
• How will the plan connect with other plans currently in place in the area?
• Will the plan contribute to new data or information that can aid other local, regional, and/or state planning processes?
  
  *Note: projects may cover more than one area of emphasis.

II. Readiness to Proceed – (3 points total)

• Projects that can be obligated and begin soon after authorization to proceed are given preference. Obligating funds is the first step in ensuring the timely use of byways funds and fulfilling the Funding Expenditures criteria.
• Is the project identified in the Local Comprehensive Plan, Regional Transportation Plan, State Scenic and Recreational Highways Plan?
• Is the NEPA environmental process complete or underway?
• Has the applicant demonstrated capability to complete the proposed project successfully, as evidenced by past experience and thoroughness of project proposal?

WSDOT GRANT REQUIREMENTS

Grant recipients are required to report quarterly on the status of the project.

Grant applicants are required to have completed the applicable WSDOT forms including:

• Certification of Sponsor Match
• Regional Transportation Planning Organization Authorization
• Maintenance Validation Form

Grant recipients shall comply with state and federal cultural resource requirements.