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POLICY & ADVOCACY: ISSUES: FEDERAL FUNDING FOR TRAILS –
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
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FEDERAL FUNDING FOR TRAILS-INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
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Recreation has increased dramatically in importance for the American people,
yet the federal investment for recreation and land conservation has not
increased accordingly. This lag has resulted in high maintenance backlogs,
deteriorating infrastructure, loss of open space, and negative impacts to
resources. The federal land management agencies require funding increases to
enhance natural and cultural resource management and protection, improve
visitor services, and strengthen volunteer partnerships.
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Every year, the President releases the Administration budget request in early
February, kicking off the federal budget cycle for the upcoming fiscal year.
Then Congress prepares its own budget, which may or may not match the
President's budget. Both the House and Senate prepare their own spending bills
and then they "conference" later in the year to reconcile the differences and
pass a final budget in the fall.
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American Hiking Society’s FY 2009 funding priorities include:
• Forest Service Recreation Management, Heritage and Wilderness: minimum of
$285 million
• Forest Service Capital Improvement and Maintenance/Trails: minimum of $85
million
• BLM, National Landscape Conservation System: $70 million. Create specific
budget subactivities for the all the specially designated places the
Conservation System contains – including Wild and Scenic Rivers and National
Scenic and Historic Trails.
• NPS, Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program: $12 million
• Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) (NPS/Stateside): $125 million; LWCF,
Federal (across the agencies): $220 million.
• National Trails System: Increased funding for national scenic and historic
trails as advocated by the Partnership for the National Trails System.
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For more information:
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American
Hiking’s Guide to the Federal Budget Cycle
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Western Public Lands Initiative
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