Section 571.47.42. Items eligible for funding.

         47.42(1) Grooming equipment.

            a.               The project sponsor shall have a minimum of 100 miles of groomed snowmobile trail before the department awards funding for a groomer purchase or lease.

            b.               If the purchase and lease of groomers and drags are approved by the grant review and selection committee and the department, the department or sponsors may acquire or lease snow grooming equipment with snowmobile program funds.

            c.               After written approval by the department and upon trade-in to the department of a used groomer by a sponsor for replacement purposes, the trade-in value may be applied to the new groomer purchase.

            d.               The sponsor is responsible for groomer and drag operation and maintenance as required in the equipment agreement.

            e.               Upon sale or trade-in of a used groomer with no replacement, the snowmobile fund shall refund to the sponsor the percentage of the trade-in value that matches the percent originally invested in the groomer.

            f.                Groomers shall not be moved between sponsors without prior written approval from the department.

         47.42(2) Groomer maintenance, repair, and operation.

         47.42(3) Trail signs. Only those signs approved by the department for use on funded areas or trails shall be used by the sponsor.

         47.42(4) Gates, fence openings, bridges, culverts, and permanent bridges. Permanent bridges are eligible only if placed on public land or on private property under a lease or easement for ten or more years.

         47.42(5) Program and facility liability insurance shall be in place for project sponsors receiving grant funds. If insurance is purchased by the sponsor, proof of liability insurance shall be provided to the department.

            a.               The state may purchase a statewide insurance policy covering all project sponsors receiving funds from the snowmobile grant program, in which case a copy of the policy shall be made available to covered sponsors upon request. This insurance coverage may include liability insurance for the landowner(s) or other insurable interests.

            b.               Snowmobile registration funds shall not be used to purchase insurance for special events.

            c.               All insurance paid under this subrule must be furnished by companies licensed to do business in Iowa.

         47.42(6) Direct payment to vendors. The department may establish operational procedures to facilitate direct payment to vendors for:

            a.               Major expenditures or specialty items including but not limited to land acquisitions, groomer purchases, development expenses, program liability insurance fees, and trail signs.

            b.               Unexpected repairs including materials or other expenses that may be necessary to operate the snowmobile trails in a safe manner.

         47.42(7) Pursuant to an agreement between the department and the Iowa State Snowmobile Association, association program expenses and personal expenses for association officers may be reimbursed. Proposed agreements shall be subject to the review and selection requirements of this chapter and must be approved by the director. Items eligible for funding are:

            a.               In-state travel expenses related to the acquisition, development, and signing of snowmobile trails, grant review meetings, groomer selection, education classes, and attending department meetings or sponsored events. Expenses may include mileage, meeting rooms, and lodging at the approved state rate.

            b.               Transportation expenses related to moving groomers, drags, or educational equipment.

            c.               Promotional and educational expenses directly related to the snowmobile program.

         47.42(8) Land acquisition in compliance with rule 571—47.43(321G).

[ARC 1226C, IAB 12/11/13, effective 1/15/14]