Recreational Trails Program Reauthorized for Two More Years

Washington, D.C. – The Recreational Trails Program (RTP), the funding program that has sustained state trail programs for two decades, has been reauthorized as part of the transportation bill approved by the U.S. Congress on June 29, 2012 and signed by President Barack Obama on July 6, 2012. Under the new legislation, which will fund transportation programs through September 30, 2014, the RTP will receive $85 million in annual funding for the next two fiscal years.

August 10, 2005, was a remarkable day for recreation advocates in the United States. President George W. Bush signed SAFETEA–LU, the five-year, $286.4 billion omnibus transportation bill which replaces TEA-21. The bill substantially increases funding for a number of recreation-related programs including the Recreational Trails Program, the National Scenic Byways Program, the Federal Lands Highway Program, the Transportation Enhancement Program, the Sportfishing and Recreational Boating Safety Act and funding for bicycle and pedestrian facility improvements. An estimated $1.5 billion per year will go toward outdoor-related programs overall, not including millions of dollars for specific “high priority” community trail and recreation projects throughout the nation.

NEWS
Contact: Catherine Ahern

Coalition for Recreational Trails Announces “2005 Annual Achievement Awards” Winners

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Coalition for Recreational Trails (CRT) has selected the winners of its sixth “Annual Achievement Awards” in recognition of their outstanding use of Recreational Trails Program (RTP) funds. The awards were presented at a special Capitol Hill ceremony in Washington, D.C. on June 7, 2005 as part of the celebration of Great Outdoors Week.

The trail projects and programs honored by the CRT are as follows:

• Kerby Peak Trail - Oregon – for Maintenance and Rehabilitation [Photo] [Info]
• River Bluff Trail – Indiana – for Construction and Design/Nonmotorized [Photo] [Info]
• Red Creek Bridge – Michigan – for Construction and Design/Motorized [Photo] [Info]
• MKT Trail– Missouri – for Construction and Design/Trail-Related Facilities [Photo] [Info]
• Johnson Camp Trail – California – for Multiple Use Management and Corridor Sharing [Info]
• Cascade Trail– Maryland – for Environmental Compatibility [Photo] [Info]
• North Slope Trailer – Wyoming/Utah – for Education and Communication [Photo] [Info]
• Trail Access Information for Northern Nevada – for Accessibility Enhancement [Photo] [Info]
• Superior Hiking Trail – Minnesota – for Use of Youth and Service Corps [Photo] [Info]

NEWS RELEASE

Winners Announced for 2004 Annual Achievement Awards

Contact: Alicia Cunningham 202-296-4031

The Coalition for Recreational Trails (CRT) has announced the winners of its sixth annual “Achievement Awards” in recognition of their outstanding use of Recreational Trails Program (RTP) funds. The award winners will be recognized at a special ceremony on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on June 8, 2004, during the celebration of "Great Outdoors Week."