Trails Funding on the Chopping Block

November 2, 2015 – This would be a true game-changer: the Transportation Bill (H.R. 3763) that recently passed out of committee goes to the floor in the House of Representatives this week and two amendments have been offered that would eliminate the Recreational Trails Program – a program that helps pay for many of the hiking trails we enjoy. It is a program based on the fuel taxes paid by recreational vehicle users and so is a user-pay/user-benefit program.

This action alert is now completed. Please see our post on the results!

Please contact your Representative in Congress today – right now – and ask him or her to vote “No” on Amendment #69 introduced by Rep. Buddy Carter of Georgia and “No” on Amendment #158 introduced by Rep. Ted Yoho of Florida. You can also remind them that this is a user-pay/user-benefit program paid for by a small portion of the fuel taxes paid by recreational vehicle users. Also let them know that trails are important to you and provide significant health and economic benefits to your region and the nation as a whole.

The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is quite bipartisan and has broad support from both Republicans and Democrats in the House but once the action begins on the House floor this week, we need to make sure the Members of Congress know that they have support for RTP from you and other people in their district.

You can email them, send a message through their Congressional website, or phone their offices. I’d like to suggest you also contact them via Facebook, Twitter, and other social media. Don’t be bashful. They absolutely need to hear from you.

You can event find RTP-funded projects in your Congressional district with from a drop down menu on the RTP Database – it’s super easy. Be sure to tell your Representative how RTP funding affects your district and your trails.

Together we can protect America’s trails and ensure that the places we love to explore today will still be there tomorrow.