Twenty-six Members of Congress have sent key House leaders a letter supporting continuation of the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) in the upcoming Surface Transportation Act of 2009 and requesting an increase in funding for the highly successful and popular program. Without reauthorization, the current program, funded by federal tax paid on fuel used in off-highway recreation, would expire when the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) concludes at the end of September 2009.

Led by Congressmen Michael Michaud (D-ME) and Thomas Petri (R-WI), a diverse group of Members – including several serving on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure – representing districts across the nation, thanked the committee leadership for continuing the RTP in recently introduced transportation legislation and called for some needed changes to the current program, especially increased funding. The requested funding increase would total $690 million over six years – $90 million in 2010, $100 million in 2011, $110 million in 2012, $120 million in 2013, $130 million in 2014, and $140 million in 2015. The group also requested $2.5 million for a study of off-highway vehicle use to ensure that RTP funding accurately reflects federal off-highway recreation tax receipts, and an adjustment of the funding allocated to the Federal Highway Administration for program administration.

“We are delighted by the strong response of the many Congressional leaders who have offered public support of the Recreational Trails Program,” said Derrick Crandall, President of the American Recreation Coalition and Co-Chair of the Coalition for Recreational Trails. “In the nearly 18 years that have passed since the RTP was created in 1991 under ISTEA, we have seen tremendous successes – projects that have expanded recreational activities, enhanced outdoor opportunities, improved public safety, protected wildlife and sacred historical sites, reduced user conflicts, as well as educated many Americans – young and old alike – on the importance of our great American resources. While the transportation infrastructure in this country may change significantly with the new legislation, what will not change is the importance of trails and recreation to all Americans. We applaud these efforts to sustain and enhance this vital program.”

Since the RTP was created in the 1991 transportation bill (ISTEA), more than 20,000 projects have been funded under this program to date, including trail corridor purchases, trail construction and maintenance and environmental mitigation. For a copy of the July Congressional letter supporting the RTP, click here. For a list of projects funded by the RTP, please visit the Recreational Trails Program Database at: http://www.funoutdoors.info/rtphome.html.