I am writing you today because a bill has been introduced in the U.S. Senate that will effectively terminate the Recreational Trails Program. As a trail user or trail supporter, I thought you would want to have the opportunity to voice your support for the only transportation program dedicated solely to trails.
The 632-page Senate bill, S. 1813, known as Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), eliminates all dedicated funding for the Recreational Trails Program. However, an amendment by Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar restores dedicated funding for the Recreational Trails Program and makes the Senate bill consistent with language on this issue in the corresponding House bill.
The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) has been funded for 20 years by a portion of the federal gas tax paid by off-road vehicles and amounts to only $65 million per year for all 50 states. The Recreational Trails Program pays for itself and provides tremendous benefits. The best part of the program is that the federal funds allocated to states are administered efficiently by local State Trail Councils in response to statewide needs and opportunities.
As our increasingly sedentary lifestyles lead to record high obesity rates and other health issues, now is the time for Congress to show leadership in dedicating funding to a program whose primary purpose is to build and maintain infrastructure that empowers people to be active and access the outdoors.
The best way to help is to contact your senators and urge them to sign-on to the Klobuchar amendment to save this small but important and well-managed program.
Contact information for your senators can be found online via the links below. A letter, a phone call or an email are all effective means to request their support. Urge your senator to sign the Klobuchar amendment to Senate bill S. 1813. Messages that include details about the local benefits of a recreational trail project in your community are the most effective form of advocacy.
