Section 3020.50  Eligible Project Expenditures

a)         Grant assistance may be obtained for, but not limited to, the purchase of the following items or materials necessary to construct such items:

1)         trail signs;

2)         trail fencing;

3)         trail groomers;

4)         bridges or fence traversing ramps (must be portable);

5)         parking facilities;

6)         warming shelters/restrooms (facility must be located on public park land);

7)         equipment rental necessary for facility construction; and

8)         other (considered on a case-by-case basis).

b)         Grant assistance may be obtained for mandatory liability insurance as required under Section 3020.40(c) of this Part.

c)         Grant assistance may be obtained for annual trail maintenance costs as authorized by the Department to cover fuel and necessary oils/fluids, vehicle insurance, equipment repairs, and routine maintenance parts directly associated with the operation and transporting of STEF-assisted grooming equipment while maintaining designated trails open to the general public for snowmobile use.

d)         It is the Department's policy that the STEF grant program be used to assist local snowmobile clubs purchase necessary materials for development and maintenance of snowmobile facilities.  Labor necessary for  project completion and maintenance shall be the sole responsibility of the project sponsor utilizing donated/volunteer labor.  No funding assistance will be provided for club member labor costs associated with an approved project.

e)         No grant assistance will be awarded to projects which, either in whole or in part, will not be open to the general public for snowmobile use. If the project sponsor so chooses, use of the project facilities can be restricted to only those snowmobilers who can show proof of adequate personal liability insurance coverage or are willing to sign liability waivers concerning use of the facility.

(Source:  Amended at 35 Ill. Reg. 1411, effective January 5, 2011)