N.M. Admin. Code § 18.31.2.9 - GRANT APPLICATION/ACCEPTANCE PROCEDURES FOR PROPOSED SCENIC BYWAY PROJECT

A. Prescreening: The project sponsor should prescreen the project grant application to assure that it meets the basic requirements. Applications should be formatted as outlined in this document. The Coordinator may be contacted for assistance.

B. Types of projects eligible for Federal assistance with Scenic Byway grants:

(1) Planning, design, and development of State scenic byways programs.

(2) Safety improvements to a highway designated as a scenic byway to the extent such improvements are necessary to accommodate increased traffic and changes in the types of vehicles using the highway due to such designation.

(3) Construction along the scenic byway of facilities for the use of pedestrians and bicyclists, rest areas, turnouts, highway shoulder improvements, passing lanes, overlooks, and interpretive facilities.

(4) Improvements to the scenic byway that will enhance access to an area for the purpose of recreation, including water-related recreation.

(5) Protecting historical, archeological, and cultural resources in areas adjacent to the highways.

(6) Developing and providing tourist information to the public, including interpretive information about the scenic byway.

C. Basic Requirements for a Grant Application:

(1) To be eligible to apply for a grant, the route must be designated as a State scenic byway under this program prior to the annual grant-funding cycle.

(2) The minimum grant request that will be considered is $10,000. The maximum grant that will be considered is $1,000,000 for a single state project. Projects sponsored by multiple states may be up to $1,000,000 per supporting state.

(3) National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance is the financial responsibility of the sponsor and is not eligible for grant funding. NEPA should be substantially complete at the time of application. Maintenance is not an eligible activity.

(4) The public must have a legal right to access the project.

(5) The federal share payable for the costs of carrying out projects and developing programs is 80%. The sponsor must secure 20% non-federal matching funds. Only cash or donations of land as described in USC Title 23, Section 323, are considered an allowable match for this criteria.

(6) The RPO or MPO must concur with the project grant application before forwarding it to the Coordinator. The project should be compatible with adjacent land uses.

D. Evaluation and Statewide Ranking of Project Grant Applications - The Coordinator will present the grant applications for consideration at a scheduled SHBAC meeting. The SHBAC will serve as a technical review committee, evaluating each proposal on criteria outlined in Appendix 3 of this document, and establish a statewide ranking for the projects. The SHBAC may choose to limit the number of projects it reviews if the quantity is too numerous. Therefore a sponsor submitting more than one application must prioritize their submittals. If necessary, the SHBAC may ask the RPO to screen submittals.

E. Concurrence - Projects approved by the SHBAC will be forwarded to the SHC for final concurrence. A list of those approved by the SHC will be forwarded to the appropriate RPOs or MPOs to prioritize and incorporate into the regional transportation improvement plan (RTIP).

F. Submittal of Grant Applications to FHWA - Approved grant applications are forwarded by the Coordinator to the FHWA division office with a state budget summary sheet.

Notes

N.M. Admin. Code § 18.31.2.9

Recompiled 11/16/01