Resources and Library:

Federal Funding

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was created to stimulate and add balance to the economy by investing in job creation and important infrastructure improvements. The bill, which totals $787.2 billion, provides significant funding opportunities for park and recreation infrastructure and programming.

Program Information Resources: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

From the Federal Highway Administration, May 27, 2009

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 was enacted February 16, 2009. See the link from the Government Printing Office, www.gpoaccess.gov/, or the PDF at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h1enr.pdf. The Transportation provisions begin on page 89 of 407 of the PDF file. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) programs begin on page 92.

FHWA posted information about the ARRA at www.fhwa.dot.gov/economicrecovery/index.htm.

Summary of Provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Apportionment Notice
Questions & Answers
Actions To Expedite Delivery

The ARRA funds that are apportioned to the States are apportioned as Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds, see eligibility under 23 U.S.C. 133(b) at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=browse_usc&docid=Cite:+23USC133. The STP has broad eligibility for many kinds of projects. Section 133(b)(8) lists transportation enhancement activities as eligible projects: that is, TE projects are eligible for all STP funds. The ARRA funds are available at up to 100 percent Federal share (a State may choose to require a non-Federal share).

Transportation Enhancement (TE) Activities

The ARRA provides “That 3 percent of the funds apportioned to a State under this heading shall be set aside for the purposes described in subsection 133(d)(2) of title 23, United States Code (without regard to the comparison to fiscal year 2005).”

Section 133(d)(2) refers to the TE Activities.
TE is 3 percent of the funds apportioned to a State, meaning after takedowns for the Federal Lands categories, Puerto Rico and Territorial Highway Program, and other setasides. Therefore, TE is 3% of $26.66 billion, or $799.8 million nationwide. See Apportionment Notice, Table 2.
The phrase about FY 2005 means that the TE apportionments are not adjusted to the level of the TE apportionments in FY 2005 (as required for the annual TE apportionments).
Because TE projects are eligible for all STP funds, although the 3 percent is a minimum, there is no maximum for TE-like projects.
120 Day Withdrawal and Redistribution: FHWA guidance is at www.fhwa.dot.gov/economicrecovery/redistribution.htm.

Bridge, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement, Interstate Maintenance, National Highway System, National Scenic Byways, Recreational Trails, Safe Routes to School, etc.

ARRA does not provide extra funds for these programs, but ARRA does not eliminate these programs: they continue as normal with their FY 2009 funds. Projects eligible under these programs usually are eligible for STP (except for RTP projects with no transportation purpose).

Transportation Authorization Considerations

Transportation interests continue discussions about the next surface transportation authorization legislation. Comments from people interested in the Recreational Trails Program and Transportation Enhancement Activities are at Federal-aid Highway Program Reauthorization 2009: Summary, Explanation, and Comments from Trails and Enhancements Conferences.

Rep. Oberstar releases "blueprint" for federal surface transportation programs, including trails
Recreational Trails Program: Based on input from States and trail interests, several ideas are presented for consideration in discussions about the RTP. See Draft Recreational Trails Program Ideas to Consider for Authorization.
Transportation Enhancement Activities: Based on input from States and TE interests, several ideas are presented for consideration in discussions about the TE Activities. See Draft Transportation Enhancement Activities Ideas to Consider for Authorization.
American Trails hosts a page for the Coalition for Recreational Trails called Support the Recreational Trails Program.

US DOT Secretary LaHood Speaks About Livability

Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood mentions “livability” in many public addresses.

Statement of Representative Ray LaHood before the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, United States Senate, January 21, 2009: http://commerce.senate.gov/public/_files/LaHoodTestimony12109FINAL.pdf.
You have a full partner at the US DOT: http://bikeportland.org/2009/03/11/sec-lahood-you-have-a-full-partner-at-the-us-dot/.
National Bike Summit: Secretary LaHood on Video: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5323865082882842828
Cyclists are important users of transportation systems (Official Blog of the US Secretary of Transportation).
Bicycling is an important factor in less carbon-intensive commuting (Official Blog of the US Secretary of Transportation).
Bicycling is only healthy when you ride safely (Official Blog of the US Secretary of Transportation).

Rep. Oberstar releases "blueprint" for federal transportation programs, including trails

View and download the "RTP Information Sheet" as a pdf

Read more about current funding for trails, parks, outdoor recreation, and federal land management on the American Trails website:

Supporting Trails: current funding legislation
Reauthorization of federal transportation funds, including the Recreational Trails Program
Index to articles and resources on federal funding programs

More on federal funding

More on supporting trails

Resources and Library:

Federal Funding

Program Information Resources: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act