Opportunity Information: Apply for P17AS00205
The Rehabilitation of the Rainbow Falls Trail grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number P17AS00205) is a National Park Service (NPS) discretionary funding announcement under the U.S. Department of the Interior. It is offered as a cooperative agreement, meaning the project is intended to be carried out in close coordination with NPS rather than as a hands-off grant. The funded work falls under the Natural Resources activity category and is associated with CFDA 15.931. The overall purpose is to support heavy trail maintenance and major rehabilitation on the Rainbow Falls Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park through a cooperative effort between NPS and ACE.
The scope of work is focused on restoring trail function, improving visitor safety, and reducing ongoing erosion and resource damage by addressing drainage failures, tread deterioration, and corridor conditions. The project includes replacing damaged or ineffective water bars and other drainage features to better move water off the trail and prevent washouts. It also calls for removing sloughed material from the trail tread, which typically refers to soil and debris that has collapsed or slid into the walking surface, narrowing the trail and creating uneven footing. Significant corridor brushing is included to clear vegetation encroachment, improve visibility, and keep hikers on the intended trail alignment rather than creating informal bypass routes that widen impacts.
A major element of the rehabilitation is turnpiking wet sections of trail using native stone and timbers. Turnpiking is a common trail-hardening technique that raises the tread and stabilizes it in saturated areas, helping keep users out of mud while protecting surrounding soils and vegetation from being trampled. The project also involves removing rocks and boulders from the trail corridor where they create hazards or obstruct the designed trail prism. Additional construction tasks include building steps and retaining walls using native rock and native timber, which helps blend structures into the park environment while providing durable solutions for steep or unstable segments. Tree removal is listed as part of the work, likely to address downed trees, hazardous trees, or vegetation that compromises trail safety and accessibility. Finally, the project includes repairing tread damage and restoring the trail grade using hand tools, emphasizing traditional, low-impact trail construction methods suitable for a protected natural setting.
Eligibility is geared toward nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education), along with other eligible applicants as noted in the opportunitys additional eligibility details. The award ceiling is $200,928, and the opportunity was originally posted on April 24, 2017, with an original closing date of May 3, 2017. Although the listing notes expected awards as 0, the announcement clearly describes a defined, on-the-ground rehabilitation effort intended to be implemented collaboratively, with NPS working alongside its partner (ACE) to complete substantial trail infrastructure and tread restoration on one of the parks notable routes.Apply for P17AS00205
- The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Rehabilitation of the Rainbow Falls Trail" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.931.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 24, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 03, 2017. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,928.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Rehabilitation of the Rainbow Falls Trail (P17AS00205) - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Rehabilitation of the Rainbow Falls Trail funding opportunity?
It is a National Park Service (NPS) discretionary funding announcement under the U.S. Department of the Interior for heavy trail maintenance and major rehabilitation on the Rainbow Falls Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is P17AS00205.
Which agency is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the National Park Service (NPS), which is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior.
What type of award is being offered?
The announcement is offered as a cooperative agreement. This means the work is intended to be carried out in close coordination with NPS, rather than as a hands-off grant.
What is the activity category associated with the work?
The funded work falls under the Natural Resources activity category.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA 15.931.
What is the overall purpose of the project?
The overall purpose is to support heavy trail maintenance and major rehabilitation on the Rainbow Falls Trail through a cooperative effort between NPS and ACE.
Where will the funded work take place?
The work is focused on the Rainbow Falls Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
What are the main goals of the rehabilitation work?
The scope of work is centered on restoring trail function, improving visitor safety, and reducing ongoing erosion and resource damage by addressing drainage failures, tread deterioration, and corridor conditions.
What kinds of drainage improvements are included?
The project includes replacing damaged or ineffective water bars and other drainage features to better move water off the trail and help prevent washouts.
What does “removing sloughed material” mean in this scope of work?
It refers to removing soil and debris that has collapsed or slid into the trail tread (the walking surface). This material can narrow the trail and create uneven footing, so removing it helps restore safe and functional tread conditions.
What is “corridor brushing,” and why is it included?
Significant corridor brushing is included to clear vegetation encroachment, improve visibility, and help keep hikers on the intended trail alignment. This can reduce the creation of informal bypass routes that widen impacts.
What is turnpiking, and where will it be used?
Turnpiking is a trail-hardening technique used in wet sections. It raises and stabilizes the tread in saturated areas using materials such as native stone and timbers. In this project, turnpiking is planned for wet trail sections to keep users out of mud and protect nearby soils and vegetation from trampling.
Will the project address rocks and boulders on the trail?
Yes. The project involves removing rocks and boulders from the trail corridor where they create hazards or obstruct the designed trail prism.
What types of trail structures will be built or repaired?
Construction tasks include building steps and retaining walls using native rock and native timber. These materials help the structures blend into the park environment while providing durable support for steep or unstable segments.
Does the scope include tree removal?
Yes. Tree removal is listed as part of the work, likely to address downed trees, hazardous trees, or vegetation that compromises trail safety and accessibility.
What tools or construction approach does the project emphasize?
The scope includes repairing tread damage and restoring trail grade using hand tools, reflecting a traditional, low-impact approach that is suitable for work in a protected natural setting.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is geared toward nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education), along with other eligible applicants as noted in the opportunity’s additional eligibility details.
Are institutions of higher education eligible under the nonprofit category?
The opportunity explicitly excludes institutions of higher education from the 501(c)(3) nonprofit eligibility category as stated in the provided information.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $200,928.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was originally posted on April 24, 2017.
What was the original closing date?
The original closing date was May 3, 2017.
The listing notes “expected awards: 0.” What does that mean for this opportunity?
Based on the information provided, the listing shows expected awards as 0, but the announcement still describes a defined, on-the-ground rehabilitation effort intended to be implemented collaboratively (with NPS working alongside its partner, ACE). The description indicates a specific project scope even though the expected-awards field is shown as 0.
How does NPS participate in a cooperative agreement for this project?
Because it is a cooperative agreement, the project is intended to be carried out in close coordination with NPS. The provided information contrasts this with a more hands-off grant approach, implying NPS involvement during implementation.
What trail problems is the project trying to fix?
The scope targets drainage failures, tread deterioration, and corridor conditions, with the intent to reduce erosion, prevent washouts, improve footing and safety, and reduce resource damage caused by water and trail widening.
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