This presentation will discuss transportation funding programs that benefit trails and trail-related activities, focusing on Transportation Enhancement Activities and the Recreational Trails Program.
by Christopher Douwes, Community Planner, Federal Highway Administration, Patricia Fisher, Transportation Enhancement Program Manager, Oregon Department of Transportation, Rocky Houston, State Trails Coordinator, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
Speakers: Christopher Douwes, Trails and Enhancement Program Manager, Federal Highway Administration, Patricia Fisher, Transportation Enhancement Program Manager, Oregon Department of Transportation, Rocky Houston, State Trails Coordinator, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
This presentation will discuss transportation funding programs that benefit trails and trail-related activities, focusing on Transportation Enhancement Activities and the Recreational Trails Program. It will provide State-specific examples. The Federal Highway Administration’s Transportation Enhancement (TE) Activities and Recreational Trails Program (RTP) provide funds to develop transportation and recreation infrastructure. TE activities benefit the traveling public and help communities to increase transportation choices and access for pedestrians and bicyclists; and enhance the built and natural environment through scenic and historic highway programs, landscaping, historic preservation, and environmental mitigation. The RTP provides funds to the States to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities. This presentation will explain these programs and offer suggestions on how to apply for funds.
Christopher Douwes is a Community Planner with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in Washington DC. He has managed the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) since 1992, Transportation Enhancement (TE) activities since 2003, Transportation Alternatives (TA) since 2012, and has assisted with Bicycle and Pedestrian Activities since 1992. He manages contracts for research, technology development, technical assistance, and training for trail-related activities., Christopher received his Masters of Science in Transportation from Northwestern University in 1990.
Contact: [email protected]
Pat Fisher works for the Oregon Department of Transportation. She has been Oregon’s Transportation Enhancement Program Manager since 1998, and also manages the Forest Highway Program. Pat coordinates policy development and project selection, and monitors the progress and funding of about 40 Enhancement projects statewide. Pat has a B.S. in Geography from Oregon State University. In recent years, she has enjoyed trails in Germany, Spain, and Nicaragua, in addition to hiking, biking, and skiing in Oregon. Pat’s other interests include singing, gardening, and softball. She lives in Salem with her husband, Chuck.
Rocky Houston is the State Trails Coordinator for Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. As a native Oregonian, Rocky’s goal is to get every Oregonian outdoors to share in the experience of our natural environment. He works with several local communities and within OPRD to plan and develop the connections trails make with Oregon and its citizens. Rocky received a B.A. in History and in Psychology from Western Oregon University, and a Certificate of Public Management from Portland State University. Rocky is married and has two daughters that take most of his time away from work.
Join the USDA Forest Service in the 10-Year Trail Shared Stewardship Challenge!
The Trail Challenge is a “call to action” for all of us to work together to achieve a sustainable trail system by increasing our collective capacity to care for trails and by increasing on-the-ground results through shared stewardship of trails.
Trails Community Appropriations Recommendations
On behalf of the thousands of diverse trail users our collective organizations represent, we urge appropriators to adequately invest in our nation’s trails.
Immediate Action Needed by All Trail Enthusiasts!
The Coalition for Recreational Trails (CRT) calls on all trail organizations and trail enthusiasts to take action immediately to continue and to expand the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), the national trails assistance program that aids all trail activities nationwide through use of federal non-highway recreational fuel taxes.
Statewide organizations are well positioned to improve state-level policies that impact funding processes and to share best practices with regions.
