Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approves $6.17 million for 21 recreational trail projects
May 28, 2026 | Texas Wildlife Services, Departments and Agencies, Executive, Texas
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The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission on May 28 approved $6,170,455 in funding for 21 recreational trail projects and a separate $900,000 allocation for state-park trail improvements.
Matthew Fougerat, the department’s recreational trails grant coordinator, told the commission the recommended package combines federal excise funds and state sporting-goods sales tax money: "We have over $4.5 million" available from federal OHV gasoline-tax funds, plus more than $1.5 million from state sporting-goods sales tax and a $900,000 allocation for trails inside state parks. He said 48 proposals requested nearly $13 million and that applications were scored by an independent state trail advisory committee for quality, cost effectiveness, recreational impact and geographic distribution.
The commission received 20 public comments on the item, Fougerat said, and roughly 75% favored the recommendations; concerns raised in the public record included tax impacts, project budget overruns and whether funds should prioritize motorized over nonmotorized projects. Fougerat emphasized that federal funds carry a 30% OHV set‑aside requirement and that awards are reimbursement-based with final inspections required before grant closure.
Commissioner Scott moved approval of the first motion to fund the 21 projects listed in Exhibit A and the $900,000 state-park allocation; the motion carried on a voice vote. The commission also approved a second motion allowing the department to fund additional projects farther down the ranked list if supplemental funds become available.
The funding decisions will allow recommended construction, renovation and acquisition work to proceed on the selected trail projects; Exhibit A (distributed with commission materials) lists the project descriptions and award amounts. The commission did not increase award amounts in response to public budget concerns and reiterated that grants are reimbursement-based with strict auditing and inspection requirements.
The commission moved on to subsequent agenda items after the vote.
Matthew Fougerat, the department’s recreational trails grant coordinator, told the commission the recommended package combines federal excise funds and state sporting-goods sales tax money: "We have over $4.5 million" available from federal OHV gasoline-tax funds, plus more than $1.5 million from state sporting-goods sales tax and a $900,000 allocation for trails inside state parks. He said 48 proposals requested nearly $13 million and that applications were scored by an independent state trail advisory committee for quality, cost effectiveness, recreational impact and geographic distribution.
The commission received 20 public comments on the item, Fougerat said, and roughly 75% favored the recommendations; concerns raised in the public record included tax impacts, project budget overruns and whether funds should prioritize motorized over nonmotorized projects. Fougerat emphasized that federal funds carry a 30% OHV set‑aside requirement and that awards are reimbursement-based with final inspections required before grant closure.
Commissioner Scott moved approval of the first motion to fund the 21 projects listed in Exhibit A and the $900,000 state-park allocation; the motion carried on a voice vote. The commission also approved a second motion allowing the department to fund additional projects farther down the ranked list if supplemental funds become available.
The funding decisions will allow recommended construction, renovation and acquisition work to proceed on the selected trail projects; Exhibit A (distributed with commission materials) lists the project descriptions and award amounts. The commission did not increase award amounts in response to public budget concerns and reiterated that grants are reimbursement-based with strict auditing and inspection requirements.
The commission moved on to subsequent agenda items after the vote.
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