Massachusetts Recreational Trail Advisory Board (MARTAB)

MARTAB is a volunteer board, appointed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. As an independent entity, it provides advice to DCR staff on issues and projects of importance to the trail community. It represents every major trail user group from motorized users to non-motorized users and seeks to promote a cooperative, practical approach to solving trail issues. Its most important function is to make recommendations to the Commissioner on the distribution of the federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP) funds that come to each state from the US Department of Transportation. Massachusetts disburses approximately $1 million each year. MARTAB’s recommendations are the first cut on how these funds could be spent and involves the Board reviewing each proposal, discussing them, and rating them according to an agreed list of criteria and weights.  At the end of the review process, a ranked list of the applications submitted from communities and organizations throughout the state is created and forwarded to the Commissioner and Governor for their approval.

MARTAB is involved in other activities, including sponsorship of statewide trail workshops to improve the skills and experience of the many trail volunteers working to enhance our trail network within the Commonwealth. They also assist in organizing the Massachusetts Trails Conference. These educational and community-building opportunities are funded through the Recreational Trails Program.