The Saint Mary's County Board of County Commissioners voted March 4, 2008, to approve a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Maryland State Highway Administration to apply $30,000 in National Recreational Trails Program funding to Phase 5 of the 3 Notch Trail.

Mister Rollins of the Department of Recreation, Parks and Community Services described the MOU as a reallocation of previously awarded state trail funds. "We have before you an MOU between the county and the State Highway Administration, for phase 5 for $30,000 in funding for the National Recreational Trails Program," Rollins said. He told commissioners the county had originally planned to use the $30,000 on an earlier segment (phase 4a) but had sufficient funding for that work and received SHA approval to realign the $30,000 to phase 5.

Rollins reminded the board that the county previously submitted a federal grant application for $771,000 under the Transportation Equity Act to support Phase 5, and noted that the county has received multiple National Recreational Trails grants dating to FY03. Commissioner Jarboe moved to authorize President Russell to sign the MOU; Commissioner DeMent seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

County staff later noted letters of support had been provided during the grant application process by state legislators. The MOU authorizes the county to construct the project and to follow grant guidelines; the vote authorized the president of the board to execute the agreement and any related budget amendment.