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Recreational Trails Program news

Read current news about Reauthorization of federal transportation funds and programs like RT

See the House summary of the Transportation Bill

House bill slashes funding for trails, bikes, pedestrians, rail-trails, and safe routes to school

Will your Representative defend trails and bike/ped programs?

From American Trails
 

UPDATE: February 3, 2012: BIG VICTORY FOR RTP: the House transportation bill just passed by the Transportation Committee includes the Recreational Trails Program as a discrete program with $85 million in annual funding. Rep. John L. Mica, Chairman, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee was thanked in a letter from the Coalition for Recreational Trails for including RTP in the American Energy & Infrastructure Jobs Act. Hundreds of local and national trail organizations joined in efforts led by CRT to support funding and authorization for RTP.

HOWEVER, the Senate bill passed last November does NOT include any authorization of RTP. Stay tuned for the next effort to convince key Senators to include Recreational Trails in the final transportation legislation. Read more and keep up to date on future strategies...

On January 31 House Transportation Committee Chairman John L. Mica (R-FL) and Committee Members released the "American Energy & Infrastructure Jobs Act." See the House summary of the Transportation Bill. Markup for the bill will be held February 2. Attend the live webcast of the markup at transportation.house.gov.

The Recreational Trails Program would be authorized at $85 million, but the Safe Routes to School program would be eliminated along with dedicated funding for Transportation Enhancements. Eligibility for preserving abandoned railway corridors, including trail conversion, is specifically eliminated. See the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's analysis of the House transportation bill... 

Representatives Tom Petri (R-WI) and Tim Johnson (R-IL) plan to offer an amendment to restore funding for these programs. They need support from their colleagues on the T & I Committee to get it passed. So -- their colleagues need to hear from you!

WHY YOUR SUPPORT IS VITAL AT THIS TIME:

The bill singles out many programs that have helped fund bikeways, rail and canal trails, bridge walkways, safe routes to schools, and bike/ped coordinators.

The bill attacks a wide range of bike/ped programs:

• Ends all dedicated funding for Transportation Enhancements
• Eliminates eligibility for rail trails and rail corridor preservation
• Eliminates eligibility for historic projects, including canal corridors and railroad facilities
• Cuts out the Safe Routes to School programs and staff
• Allows states to build bridges without accommodating pedestrians and bicycles
• Stops funding for bicycle and pedestrian coordinators in state DOTs
  

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. See if your member of Congress is on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. 
2. If your Representative IS on the Committee, please call or email their office ASAP and ask them to vote in favor of an amendment to restore funding for these critical programs.
3. If your Representative ISN'T on the Committee, their support is still vital! Please remind them of local projects that have benefited their District. Ask them to encourage T & I Committee members to restore funding for these programs. Also, they will have a vote when the bill goes before the full House.
4. See how to contact your Representative  
5. Spread the word through your networks!

Time is of the essence! A vote could take place on Feb.2.

TALKING POINTS:

There is strength in numbers and we need to present a unified voice for trails, to tell their story, to present their endless benefits, and to make the case for funding them:

• Funding spent on trails, bike/ped facilities, parks, and outdoor recreation is a sound investment in the country's economy.
• Bicycling and walking make up 12 percent of all trips, but only 1.5 percent of federal funding.
• One-quarter of children's traffic deaths happen when they are walking or bicycling and are struck by cars. Safe Routes to School funds help ensure funding for critical sidewalks, crosswalks, and safety infrastructure to protect children and prevent unnecessary deaths.
• The more bicycles on the road; the fewer cars needed -- resulting in less congestion, better air quality, and reduced road repair work needed.
• The health of our children, as well as our cities, will depend on expanding transportation choices and preserving trails, open space, parks, and places for recreation.
• Read more about the benefits of trails and find talking points to help you make the case for trails and bike/ped facilities on the American Trails website...
    

Check the American Trails Transportation Reauthorization webpage often for the current status of these bills and advocacy efforts.

Thank you, in advance, for your support and swift action!   
 Pam Gluck, Executive Director, American Trails

Support the Recreational Trails Program! Join our efforts with the Coalition for Recreational Trails to get RTP funding included in the next transportation bill and sign on to the letter supporting RTP. Will your state's trails program survive? See Concerns about the future of the Recreational Trails Program.

Read more about Reauthorization of federal transportation funds and programs like RTP and see a description of the RTP program

Nationwide trails community works for reauthorization of the Recreational Trails Program