Economic and Community Development

Tennessee Recreation Trails Program

In 1998 Congress re-authorized the Inter-modal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 under the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21). Under TEA-21, the Recreation Trails Program (RTP) funds are distributed to each state based on a formula. The U.S. Department of Transportation manages this program through the Federal Highway Administration, passed to the State of Tennessee. The Governor’s Council on Greenways and Trails was chartered to advise The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) on the implementation of the Recreation Trails Program, and to make annual recommendations to the Commissioner of TDEC regarding the allocation of these funds. Final grant allocations are decided by the Commissioner of TDEC and must be approved by the FHWA.

For additional information contact Shannon Cotter at (731) 668-6417 or scotter@swtdd.org