New House Transportation Bill

[TriassicDoc]

A new Federal transportation bill proposes to remove funding for walking, hiking, and biking trails, such as grants for converting old rail trails.

Here is a link to House committee members, if your representative is on this list, please send them a message asking them not to remove funding for trails in this bill:
http://transportation.house.gov/singlepages.aspx/763
Other representatives:
https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

MORE INFORMATION BELOW

At 3:00 PM, Tuesday, January 31, House Transportation Committee Chairman John L. Mica (R-FL) and Committee Members will release the "American Energy & Infrastructure Jobs Act" (H.R. 7). According to the Rails to Trails Conservancy, who obtained a copy of the bill, the Recreational Trails Program would be authorized at $85 million for FY 2013-16, 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.

Advocates are working with a House member to propose an amendment that would protect funding for TE and other bike/ped programs. We'll let you know more as soon as we hear details.

See more information on the process and background at:
http://www.americantrails.org/reauth.html

TRAILS ARE AT RISK!

Will Your Representative Defend Trails and Bike/Ped Programs?

A summary of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee's "Transportation Reauthorization Proposal," like the Senate bill announced in November, proposes to eliminate the requirement for federal set-aside for programs that have provided the majority of trail, walking, and bicycling funding in the United States .

When introduced, the House bill will be designated as, "The American Energy & Infrastructure Jobs Act." This bill could be voted on by the Committee this week:

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Markup of "The American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act"

Thursday, February 2, 2012; 9:00 a.m. EASTERN
2167 Rayburn House Office Building

Attend the live webcast of the markup at transportation.house.gov.


TAKE ACTION!

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. We urge you to contact your Representative and stress the importance of dedicated funding for Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School, and the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) -- essential programs that make trails and active transportation possible and that are vital to your local efforts.

1. Please see if your member of Congress is on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee:
o Republican Members: House T & I Committee members
o Democratic Members: House T & I Committee members
2. If your Representative IS on the Committee, please call or email their office ASAP and ask them to preserve dedicated funding for these critical trail and bike/ped 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 preserve these programs. Also, they will have a vote when the bill goes before the full House.
4. Contact your Representative by visiting this website: https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
5. Spread the word through your networks!


TALKING POINTS
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 "Supporting Trails" webpage often for the latest news regarding Reauthorization.

Time is of the essence! Please pass this message on through your networks!

Thank you, in advance, for your support and swift action!


Pam Gluck, Executive Director
American Trails[/b]

[fjhilde]

I visited Chuck Schumer's website, http://schumer.senate.gov/, and sent a note requesting that this transportation bill be denied and that funding be provided for cycling. I hope that others have or will do the same soon, before this bill is voted on.
_________________
Ride on my friends,
Frank
--(-iii-)<()

[TriassicDoc]

Thanks! I sent a message, too.

[Riceball]

Just emailed Senators Chuck and Gillibrand...
_________________
Grumpy is my happy place.

[TriassicDoc]

Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Update ~ Klobuchar Amendment

The Senate's version of the transportation bill (MAP-21) does NOT include dedicated funding for the Recreational Trails Program. However, Senator Klobuchar (D-MN) will present an amendment to restore dedicated funding to RTP at the appropriate time. (The amendment could be offered as early as next week.) This would restore RTP authorization as a stand-alone program, as well as fund it at 2009 levels. The House transportation bill maintains dedicated funding for the RTP. We need the Senate to correct this in their bill as well!

Here is a letter you can cut and paste and send to your Senator in favor of the Klobuchar amendment! [Gillibrand, Schumer]


2/10/12
United States Senate
Dear Senator X,
We are writing to request your support for the Klobuchar amendment to MAP-21, which restores dedicated funding for the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). This amendment makes the Senate bill consistent with language that is already in the House bill. In addition, this amendment is consistent with the traditional purpose of the Recreational Trails Program – to direct the gas tax revenues generated by the users of off-highway recreational vehicles, including snowmobiles, ATVs, off-highway motorcycles, and four-wheel drive vehicles to a program to provide infrastructure for their activities. Under SAFETEA-LU, the Recreational Trails program was a mere 0.22% of the overall Federal-aid Highway Program, but represents a vital funding source that has built and maintained thousands of miles of trails – for motorized and nonmotorized users alike – in every state for close to 20 years.

These trails bring not only enjoyment to many types of users, but also critical economic benefits to local communities. In many rural areas in particular, tourism is a vital part of the economy and trails are part of the infrastructure that supports this lifeline. A study by the Institute for Transportation Research and Education at North Carolina State University for the North Carolina Department of Transportation found that a one-time investment of $6.7 million in federal, state, and local funds for new trails created 1,400 jobs and pays back $60 million a year. And these critical economic benefits of trails go far beyond tourism. For example, the Billings Chamber of Commerce has branded their community “Montana’s Trailhead,” because “talented people move to Billings in large part because of our trail system that creates the quality of life they are expecting,” according to Chamber CEO John Brewer. Billings certainly is attractive – Fortune magazine named Billings the number one small city in attracting business, and the private sector there has taken note. According to Brewer, “in Billings – and I think throughout the country – there has been a paradigm shift. Trails are no longer viewed as community amenities; they’re truly viewed as essential infrastructure for business recruitment.”

As obesity rates reach record highs in our nation, now is also 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 access the outdoors and be active. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Active Community Environments Initiative (ACES) recognizes the catalyzing role that safe and accessible recreation facilities, like those built through the Recreational Trail Program, play in improving public health.

The Klobuchar amendment actually provides the RTP with only a portion of the funding that has been historically generated by the user fees (gas tax revenues) of off-highway recreational vehicles. This is a program that pays for itself and provides tremendous benefits. Therefore, we urge you to support the Klobuchar amendment.

Sincerely,

Org Names Here

[fjhilde]

Hi,
I've sent two letters to both Gillibrand & Schumer and received the obligatory reply notice but nothing of substance to this issue.
_________________
Ride on my friends,
Frank
--(-iii-)<()