Due to quick lobbying by advocates and intervention by Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a move to divert all Recreational Trails Program funds to Alaska State Parks has been stopped.
Lobbying efforts were made especially by Michele Stevens, president of the Alaska Snowmachine Alliance, Lee Hart, founder of the Alaska Outdoor Alliance, and Rep. Kevin McCabe (Mat-Su).
The current system for the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) will stay in place. It allows nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and tribes to apply for grants along with state agencies, including state parks.
“This program is so important to Alaska trail users, both motorized and non-motorized. Having RTP funding restored for the public ensures that communities across the state have the opportunity to apply for projects that truly benefit their users,” Stevens said in an email.
Earlier this month, Rep. McCabe reported that the state of Alaska was changing the rules for the RTP, so that grants from it would be eligible only for “projects on state park lands and their access routes.” If true, that would have been a big blow to nonprofits and municipalities across the state.
The RTP program is the biggest funder of trails in Alaska, bringing in well over $1 million a year to the state. Many local nonprofit and municipalities use these funds. The Fairbanks North Star Borough has used them for many trail projects on borough land. The Fairbanks Cycle Club is currently using a grant to upgrade the Ester Dome Singletrack Trails. The Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks has used the funds for many projects at Birch Hill Recreation Area, a borough park. Several other local nonprofits have used the program for a variety of projects over the years. Despite that, much of the funding has gone to the state parks Northern Region, which includes the Chena River State Recreation Area.
According to a release by Rep. McCabe:
For FY26, with approximately $2.75 million in approved funding ($2.5 million federal and $250,000 General Fund Match) available at this time, the program allocates 7% for administration, 5% for safety and education, and the rest for projects: 30% for motorized trails like our snowmachine routes, 30% for non-motorized trails, and 40% for diversified trails. This builds on FY25’s original $1.75 million budget, plus the $600,000 supplemental we passed last session to boost trail funding.
The letter that started it all!!
REPRESENTATIVE KEVIN J. MCCABE
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE HOUSE DISTRICT 30
September 4, 2025
John Boyle, Commissioner, Alaska Department of Natural Resources
550 W 7th Ave, Suite 1400
Anchorage, AK 99501
Re: Concerns Regarding Changes to FY26 Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Eligibility
Dear Commissioner Boyle,
We strongly object to the Alaska Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation’s (DPOR) recent decision. Under Director Ricky Gease, DPOR has restricted FY26 Recreational Trails Program (RTP) eligibility to trail projects on state park lands or related access routes. Municipalities and tribes are now directed, by DPOR, to seek funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). This unilateral change is unacceptable to me as well as Alaskan trail users of all types. We believe DPOR’s has exceeded its authority by attempting to place their own limits on this federal program.
The RTP, established under the National Recreational Trail Fund Act (NRTFA) as part of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) and reauthorized through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, is a federal program administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Federal guidelines clearly state that RTP funds are intended to support a broad range of applicants, including state and local governments, tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations, for the development and maintenance of both motorized and non-motorized recreational trails. The program mandates a balanced allocation of funds (30% for motorized, 30% for non-motorized, and 40% for diversified trail projects) and emphasizes public access and diverse recreational use. Nowhere does federal law restrict eligibility to state-owned lands or authorize exclusion of municipalities and tribes.
In Alaska, DPOR’s role is limited to administering RTP funds in accordance with federal guidelines—managing project selection, overseeing grants, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations such as NEPA. While states may set some administrative priorities, federal law does not grant authority to fundamentally alter eligibility criteria or exclude entire categories of applicants. FHWA retains final approval authority, and any major changes must align with federal objectives and receive FHWA review.
This decision to limit FY26 RTP eligibility to state park lands, allegedly to “streamline” environmental compliance, seems to exceed DPOR’s authority under federal law. The RTP’s enabling legislation does not permit states to unilaterally restrict eligibility in this way. Further, redirecting municipalities and tribes to the LWCF, a program with a different purpose, narrower funding capacity, and separate requirements, undermines the RTP’s mission and disadvantages communities that have long relied on it to maintain and expand trail systems. This policy risks reducing recreational access, particularly in rural and tribal areas, where trails are often lifelines for transportation and subsistence.
We respectfully request that you investigate the following:
1. Whether DPOR has legal authority under federal RTP guidelines to restrict eligibility to state park lands and exclude municipalities and tribes from FY26 RTP funds;
2. The process by which this decision was made, including whether it was reviewed and approved by FHWA as required for significant changes to program administration; and
3. The rationale for redirecting municipalities and tribes to the LWCF, and how this aligns with RTP’s federally mandated purpose of supporting diverse applicants and projects.
Additionally, we are deeply concerned that this decision effectively excludes most motorized trail projects outside state park boundaries. RTP funds come directly from federal gas taxes paid by motorized users such as snowmachine and ATV operators. Federal law requires that at least 30% of RTP funds be dedicated to motorized trails, ensuring the “user-pay, user-benefit” principle is honored. Restricting eligibility to state park lands severely limits opportunities for motorized projects, in direct conflict with this federal requirement. We request clarification on how DPOR intends to comply with this mandate, and whether FHWA has approved such a deviation.
This policy not only undermines the spirit and intent of the RTP but also threatens long-standing partnerships among DPOR, local governments, tribes, and nonprofits that have built and maintained Alaska’s trail system for decades. It risks alienating stakeholders and jeopardizing equitable access to outdoor recreation across the state.
We urge you to reverse this policy and restore eligibility for all qualified applicants as provided under federal RTP guidelines. We further request a public explanation of the decision-making process, including opportunities for stakeholder and public input, to ensure transparency and fairness in the administration of this federal program.
Please provide a response by September 17, 2025, outlining the steps DNR will take to address these concerns. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this matter further and can be reached at 907-229-3721.
Thank you for your attention to this critical issue.
Sincerely,
Representative Kevin McCabe, District 30
cc: Tyson Gallagher, COS, Office of Governor Mike Dunleavy
Ricky Gease, Division Director DNR/DOPR
Ryan Anderson, Commissioner, DOT&PF
Andy Mills, Legislative Liaison, DOT&PF
Rod Arno, Alaska Outdoor Council
Michelle Stevens, Alaska Snowmachine Alliance
Thank you! And thank you to Rep. McCabe!