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Coalition urges advocates to support RTCA funding

From Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Coalition

President's 2009 Budget Proposal Calls for Severe Cuts to NPS Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program

The River's Trails and Conservation Assistance Coalition calls all advocates and supporters of trails, greenways, parks, and outdoor recreation to action to stop the planned cuts to the RTCA program in President Bush's recently announced budget proposal for 2009.

The Administration proposes severe cuts to the River's Trails and Conservation Assistance Program of the National Park Service which would mean many fewer projects to be completed beginning in 2009; fewer trail miles added, and fewer partnership programs served.

Proposed cuts to the RTCA program in the Administration's 2009 federal budget include:

- $492,000 to be cut from RTCA program budget of $8.5 million

- 4 to 6 full time positions (FTE) would be cut

- Insufficient funds for fixed cost increases, at least $140,000 short, which would likely lead to further staff cuts.

Fixed costs increases for RTCA last year were estimated at $310,000 by the NPS Budget Office, but $178,000 is proposed for 2009. Obviously, the proposed amount of $178,000 to cover fixed costs increases will be insufficient. This would likely mean further staff cuts above the 4 FTE proposed to be cut since the net reduction in 2009 would be at least $140,000 less than needed.

93% of the RTCA budget goes to fund personnel costs. This is an on-the-ground program that connects with people and communities. Budget cuts mean staff cuts, and staff cuts mean fewer communities served and less projects completed. If this budget proposal is enacted, the net result would be 20-25 projects less in 2009.

The RTCA coalition calls on every Member of Congress to restore funding for this extremely worthy program to a level of $12 million in the 2009 budget. The coalition respectfully suggests that this level of funding is needed to make up for the continued erosion of the program budget, the loss of staff by attrition in recent years, and the continual cuts from repeated rescissions and insufficient fixed cost increases.

All advocates are asked to contact their Members of Congress, especially the House and Senate members of the Appropriations Committees and Interior Appropriations subcommittees to request that they stop the President's planned cuts and increase the RTCA budget to $12 million for 2009. To see the proposed budget for RTCA, go to: http://home.nps.gov/applications/budgetweb/fy2009/NRP_NP.pdf

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