ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 361
I, Mike Dunleavy, Governor of the State of Alaska, under the authority of Article III of the Alaska Constitution and the laws of the State of Alaska, hereby designate the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) as the official State agency responsible for administering the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), replacing the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in this capacity.
In conjunction with the transfer of the RTP, this order amends Administrative Order 222, regarding the Outdoor Recreation and Trails Advisory Board (ORTAB).
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The Recreational Trails Program (RTP), authorized under 23 U.S.C. §206 and funded through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), provides financial assistance for the development and maintenance of recreational trails and trail-related facilities for motorized and nonmotorized uses. Since 1993, RTP in Alaska has been administered by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) through its Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation.
To enhance program transparency, efficiency, and alignment with Alaska’s broader transportation strategy, it is in the best interest of the State to designate DOT&PF as the lead agency for administering the RTP.
ORDER
1. Program Administration Transfer
- Effective October 1, 2025 (Federal Fiscal Year 2026), DOT&PF shall assume full responsibility for administering Alaska’s RTP.
- DOT&PF will oversee the Call for Projects, project selection, environmental compliance, obligation, and monitoring of RTP-funded projects.
- The 7 percent administrative allowance under 23 U.S.C. §206(d)(2)(H) shall be allocated to DOT&PF for program delivery.
2. Interagency Transition and Implementation
- DOT&PF and DNR shall jointly execute a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to guide the transition, which shall state:
- Effective October 1, 2025 (Federal Fiscal Year 2026), DOT&PF shall assume an oversight role to add, remove, modify, and/or approve, in a transitional manner, any and all RTP awards and funding allocations necessary to execute on RTP programs, in coordination with DNR, to ensure parity of program efforts while transitional actions begin.
- Retain DNR as subrecipient for awards obligated prior to October 1, 2025, until final closeout.
- Permit DNR trail specialists to serve in an official capacity on trail planning and design efforts.
- Establish roles for DNR in public outreach and technical assistance.
Define data-sharing and records retention protocols.
3. Programmatic Agreement Update
- DOT&PF shall work with FHWA and DNR to amend the existing Programmatic Agreement regarding NEPA delegation to include DOT&PF as a signatory, or terminate the agreement in favor of a new one led by DOT&PF.
4. Alaska Recreational Trails Advisory Committee
- The functions and duties of the Outdoor Recreational Trails Advisory Board (ORTAB), established under Administrative Order No. 222 (2004) relating to the RTP, shall be terminated.
- There is established in DOT&PF the Alaska Recreational Trail Advisory Committee (ARTAC) that shall advise DOT&PF in the implementation of the RTC program, as described in 23 USC § 206.
- The ARTAC shall consist of a minimum of three members appointed by the Commissioner of DOT&PF to staggered three-year terms as set out in AS 39.05.055.
- The Commissioner shall ensure that ARTAC’s composition complies with 23 U.S.C. §206(c)(2), reflecting a balanced representation of motorized, nonmotorized, and diversified trail users.
- This order does not impact the implementation of the Land and Water Conservation Fund program by the Department of Natural Resources and the ORTAB under Administrative Order 222.
5. Integration with Statewide Planning
- DOT&PF shall incorporate RTP projects into statewide transportation planning mechanisms.
6. Accountability and Continuous Improvement
- DOT&PF shall develop and maintain a public dashboard to track RTP obligation rates, motorized/nonmotorized funding allocation, and project timelines.
- Annual stakeholder engagement shall be conducted to guide program improvements and ensure equitable outcomes.
AMENDMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 222
Administrative Order No. 222, establishing ORTAB, is amended as follows:
1. The introductory paragraph is amended to provide that the Outdoor Recreation Advisory Board (ORAB) is established in the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, to serve as the state outdoor recreation activities advisory board primarily for purposes of implementing the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (P.L. 88-578).
2. The Purpose and Duties is amended as follows:
“1. The primary purpose of the ORTAB is to advise the director of the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation (Division) on project funding for eligible outdoor recreation projects under the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act (LWCF); to nominate, review, and comment on outdoor recreation projects during the public processes of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and other agencies; and to help the Division advocate the economic, health, and social benefits of outdoor recreation.
2. Under the LWCF, the ORTAB shall:
(3). (a) review projects to ensure that all potentially eligible applicants have a fair opportunity to participate in grant financing under the LWCF;
(4). (a) apply LWCF criteria to projects based on the relative need for park land acquisition, and outdoor recreation development, as identified in the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan developed under the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (P.L. 88-578);
(5). (a) provide information and coordinate public participation in the project selection process under the LWCF;
(6). (a) recommend a final ranking of projects for funding under the LWCF to the state liaison officer in the Division; and
(7). (a) advise the director and the state LWCF liaison officer on issues relating to the implementation of the LWCF.
8. The ORTAB shall carry out its duties regarding the Alaska Trails System as described in Administrative Order No. 193, as amended by this Order.”
DATED this 1st day of October 2025.
