Today, we are asking trail advocates to join the Tahoe Rim Trail Association and trail organizations across the nation to support H.R. 5797: Recreational Trails Program Full Funding Act of 2020.
The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) has been an essential funding source for recreation, conservation, and environmental education for decades. It is one of just a few funding streams dedicated solely to our nation’s incredible trails system for both motorized and nonmotorized users. RTP embraces the “user-pay/user-benefit” philosophy of the Highway Trust Fund, returning federal tax on nonhighway recreation fuel purchases to the states for trail projects. Although the tax supporting the Fund is paid only by gas-using vehicles, revenue is available for all recreational trails.
Our newest RTP project will reconstruct the K to K Trail in Van Sickle Bi-State Park.
What has RTP done for the TRT?
The Tahoe Rim Trail Association has received over $850,000 to support 26 projects since 2003 from the Nevada Recreational Trails Program. This funding combined with the power of our volunteer force and matching funds from our members and supporters has enabled our association to ensure the trail remains open and accessible for the public and to complete major construction projects. This includes the Daggett Reroute project which replaced a four-mile road walk within the TRT system with seven miles of new singletrack and constructed the hugely popular Van Sickle Connector Trail. Other RTP Highlights include removing hazard trees from the trail corridor and this coming season’s K to K trail construction. Nonprofits, federal land managers (e.g. BLM, USFS), cities and counties, districts, and state agencies across the country have had similar success in providing incredible recreational opportunities on public lands through the Recreational Trails Program.
TRTA Recreational Trail Program Funding Highlights
Van Sickle Bridge (completed 2016)
Youth Backcountry Camps
Marlette Peak Loop Trail
RTP Work Above Tahoe’s Northeast Shore
What will this bill do?
The Recreational Trails Full Funding Act of 2020 will nearly triple funding for the RTP and make other important changes including:
- require completion of the nonhighway recreational fuel use study at least every five years and reports to Congress on the results;
- increase RTP funding to $250 million annually – from $84 million currently – or to the new estimated amount from the mandated studies;
- establish new reporting standards for projects completed with RTP funds to provide increased transparency;
- simplify and increase funding of administration of RTP by FHWA; and
- re-establish the original formula for apportionment of RTP funds to the states.
How to take action
- Contact your Representative and ask them to support and/or cosponsor HR 5797, the Recreational Trails Full Funding Act. Interested Members in the House should contact Alex Piper (Welch) at Piper@mail.house.gov or Jake Bornstein (Curtis) at Jake.Bornstein@mail.house.gov.
- Ask your Senators to support the similar Senate bill, S. 1527.
- Retweet the great tweet by US Representatives Welch and Curtis at https://twitter.com/PeterWelch
- Express your thanks to HR 5797’s cosponsors for being RTP Champions:
- The Hon. Peter Welch
- The Hon. John Curtis
- The Hon. Angie Craig
- The Hon. Annie Kuster
- The Hon. Mike Simpson
- The Hon. Chris Stewart
If you are looking for language to use, our friends at American Trails suggest:
Dear Representatives:
The nation’s recreational trails community strongly supports HR 5797, strengthening and extending the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). We deeply appreciate your national leadership efforts on this important issue. This legislation would ensure that the remarkable successes of the RTP since its 1991 creation will continue and provide safe, enjoyable trails and access to the Great Outdoors for millions of Americans. The measure requires a Nonhighway Recreational Fuel Study, better reporting of RTP projects and increased funding.
RTP is a partner-based program uniting federal/state/local agencies, enthusiasts and the recreation industry and is unique in its support of trail maintenance. More than 25,000 projects and programs have been completed, contributing to our economy, to our health and safety, and to greater access to our public lands.
