Voice Your Support for Recreational Trails Program
House Transportation Committee to hold hearings on the next highway bill…
Every several years Congress passes a multi-year national surface transportation bill. This bill funds transportation projects and programs such as the Recreational Trails Program, which provides money for state and local trail projects.
The RTP provides funding directly to the states for recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both non-motorized and motorized recreational trail uses. The RTP will have to be re-authorized in the next national surface transportation program bill if it is to continue.
Since its inception, the RTP has provided approximately $700 million for thousands of state and local trail projects across the country, including many that benefit equestrians. RTP projects consist of construction, maintenance and restoration of trails and trail-related facilities as well as the acquisition of easements or property for trails.
Although each state manages its own program, 30 percent of RTP funds must be spent on non-motorized projects like equestrian trails, 30 percent on motorized and 40 percent on multi-use projects.
The RTP is one of the few sources for federal funding of trail projects that are not on federal land. The program is a great resource for equestrians to fund projects in their state and local parks. AHC, in conjunction with a broad coalition of recreational users, has been working to ensure RTP is included in any national highway bill passed by Congress.
The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has announced a series of field hearings that will take place this month on the next multi-year national surface transportation bill. The committee will seek input on priorities for the bill.
If you live near one of the scheduled hearings, this is an opportunity to voice support of the RTP program and the benefit it provides to equestrians.
Scheduled hearings:
- February 17 Philadelphia
- February 18 Scranton, Pennsylvania and Rochester, New York
- February 19 Columbus, Ohio – Ohio State House, Senate Finance Hearing Room, 1 Capitol Square – This field hearing of the full committee on Transportation and Infrastructure is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m.
- February 19 Indianapolis
- February 20 Chicago
- February 21 Vancouver, Washington
- February 22 Fresno, California
- February 23 Los Angeles
- February 24 Oklahoma City
- February 24 Jonesboro, Arkansas
- February 25 Memphis, Tennessee
Contact your representative’s local office to get times and exact locations.
Courtesy of the American Horse Council