Section 3020.40  General Procedures for Grant Applications and Awards

a)         Requests for funding assistance through the STEF grant program may be made through written application to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, hereafter referred to as the Department.  Necessary application forms and instructions are available through the Department.

b)         To be eligible for funding consideration, project applications must be submitted to the Department's Division of Grant Administration.  The application deadline will be publicly announced by the Department .  Notice of grant awards are generally announced within 180 days after the application submission deadline date.  Awarding of grants is made solely under the authority and directive of the Director of the Department.

c)         Grant Applications shall consist of the following basic components:

1)         Completed Application Forms;

2)         Copy of Club's Articles of Incorporation papers;

3)         Project Narrative Statement describing the project concept, location, need for and objectives of the project, anticipated benefits and approach for accomplishing the project;

4)         Location Map showing general location of proposed snowmobile facility and how the facility ties in with other public snowmobiling areas, if any, in the county and other snowmobiling areas maintained by the project sponsor;

5)         Plat Map showing detailed location and dimension of property being proposed as a snowmobile trail/area under the scope of the project;

6)         Detailed Site Development Plan illustrating proposed project development;

7)         Environmental Assessment Statement briefly describing the physical characteristics of the area being proposed for development and the impact snowmobiling will have on the area;

8)         Sign-off letters from property owner(s) of land where snowmobile facility is proposed indicating approval/cooperation with project; or copy of signed property lease;

9)         A Public Hearing soliciting public comment on the proposed project is required.  Minutes of the hearing, as well as all written comments received, must be submitted to the Department as part of the application.  Notice for the hearing must be advertised in a local newspaper of general circulation at least 7 days prior to the date of the hearing; and

10)       Proof of Liability Insurance.

(Source:  Amended at 21 Ill. Reg. 9085, effective June 26, 1997)