Snowmobile Law Enforcement Grants

The Snowmobile Law Enforcement Grant Program, administered by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) under Part 821 (Snowmobiles) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (1994 PA 451, as amended), provides funding to promote safety in the use of snowmobiles through law enforcement and education. Sourced from the Snowmobile Registration Fee Fund, grants support patrols of the state-designated snowmobile trail system and connecting ingress/egress routes.

Eligible applicants are county sheriff departments as well as city, village, and township police departments in Michigan. For county grants, the number of state-designated trail miles within the county and past performance in expending grant funds effectively are evaluated during the award allocation process. Municipal and township law enforcement agencies are eligible if they provide locally designated ingress/egress routes connecting local businesses and amenities with the state-designated trail system. Applicants must provide an agency Federal Identification Number and include an up-to-date equipment inventory, regardless of whether funding for new equipment is requested.

Eligible project costs include officer wages and eligible fringe benefits (FICA, retirement, health/dental, unemployment, and workers' compensation); overtime exceeding 40 hours per week in the program; holiday pay for on-duty snowmobile enforcement; DNR pre-approved training; patrol/tow vehicle operation (via actual expenses, lease up to $300/month plus fuel/oil, or standard mileage rate); fuel, maintenance, and repair for snowmobiles and trailers; purchase of snowmobiles, trailers, or electronics costing $1,000 or more if specifically approved in the grant agreement; and program-dedicated personal gear such as suits, helmets, communication devices, and GPS units. Ineligible expenses include paid leave (vacation/sick/medical), holiday or overtime pay not worked in the program, unapproved training, purchase of patrol/tow vehicles, and computer hardware or software purchases.

Applications are made available in June each year on the DNR website. Law enforcement agencies must complete and mail the application form (PR1985-2), budget calculations, and equipment inventory to the DNR Parks and Recreation Division Program Services Section by August 1 for the upcoming snowmobile season. The DNR evaluates applications and issues grant agreements within two to three months for a partial fiscal year spanning October 1 through the following April 30. Grantees must submit a completed State Aid Voucher packet, expenditure documentation, and an annual activity report by May 31 following the grant period to receive reimbursement.