filed under: federal legislation
Encouraging that HR 5797, “The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Full Funding Act of 2020” be included in the transportation reauthorization bill currently being drafted
by Mike Passo, Executive Director, American Trails
Sheltowee Trace - Big Turtle 50 Miler Trail Runner preparing to pass over creek on swinging bridge in Morehead, Kentucky; Photo by Michael Whisman
American Trails' partners always answer the call and we need your help once again! The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) faces a crucial time as the program is at risk of going dormant without Congressional approval before September 30th.
On the right of this page is a sample letter of support addressed to relevant committee leaders and requests “…that HR 5797, “The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Full Funding Act of 2020” sponsored by Congressman Welch of VT and Congressman Curtis of UT be included in the transportation reauthorization bill…”
Please use the attached sample language, modify it to address your specific needs, and put it on your organizational letterhead. It is important to note that while individual letters to Congress are important, this effort is primarily focused on getting our partner associations, clubs, and organizations to send organizational letters of support. If you have the authority to send the letters on your organization’s letterhead, please do so. If you need to consult the board of directors or go through some other process before the letter can be signed and sent, please start that process ASAP.
The Coalition for Recreational Trails (CRT) and partners with a Washington, D.C. presence are currently advocating for the continuation of RTP and these letters will be used to support those efforts.
If you send a letter, please email it to the following House of Representatives staff and the leadership at the CRT:
Published May 27, 2020
Mike Passo is the Executive Director of American Trails. Mike has also served as the Executive Director of the Professional Trailbuilders Association and the owner and operator of a sea kayak outfitter called Elakah Expeditions. Mike has led groups of all backgrounds, ages and abilities on sea kayak expeditions in the San Juan Islands of Washington, Vancouver Island in British Columbia, and in Glacier Bay, Alaska. Mike has conducted an extensive study of outdoor developed areas nationwide to determine the cost implications of construction according to proposed Americans with Disabilities Act standards, and a Congressional study on improving access to outdoor recreational activities on federal land. He has a B.S. in Recreation Resource Management from the University of Wisconsin—Madison, including three years’ coursework in Landscape Architecture and Civil Engineering. He has presented on Universal Design and Programming at several national conferences and served on the Board of Directors of American Trails since 2000. His love of the outdoors and his own paraplegia has given him a great interest in the creation of an accessible outdoor environment that does not ruin the characteristics and value of that environment.
Contact: [email protected]
This February and March, over 120 advocates virtually hiked the halls of Congress to call for action to protect and expand access for all to public lands and trails. These efforts, led by the Partnership for the National Trails System and American Hiking Society, developed a series of common messages and legislative priorities for the coming Federal fiscal year. We encourage all of our partners to download the Hike the Hill materials now to help build a common agenda for the entire trails community.
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The reemergence of earmarks in the infrastructure and appropriations process in Congress is creating huge opportunity for trail projects that are ready to go.
HR 1864: RTP Full Funding Act Moves Forward
Welch and Curtis Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Boost Funding for Recreational Trails -- HR 1864
Trails Community Appropriations Recommendations for FFY 2022
These recommendations have been jointly developed for Hike the Hill regarding FFY 2022 asks and justifications for Federal agency budgets affecting trails and outdoor recreation opportunities.
