RECREATIONAL TRAILS PROGRAM RE-AUTHORIZATION

Introduction

The Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is set to expire this year and must be re-authorized in the next national surface transportation program bill. 

Background

Since its inception the RTP has provided approximately $730 million for thousands of state and local trail projects across the country, including many that benefit equestrians.

The RTP provides funding directly to the states for recreational trails and trail-related facilities for all recreational trail users.  It was created in 1991 as part of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 and was last re-authorized in 2005 as part of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA-LU). This law is about to expire.   The RTP will have to be re-authorized in the national surface transportation program bill in the coming months if it is to continue.

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% of RTP funds must be spent on non-motorized projects like equestrian trails, 30% on motorized, and 40% percent on multiuse projects.
RTP is one of the few sources for federal funding of trail projects that are not on federal land available to equestrians.  The program has been a great resource for equestrians to fund projects in their state and local parks.

Congressional Action

The current highway bill SAFETEA-LU was set to expire in September of 2009.  However, because Congress has yet to pass a new highway bill it has been forced to extend the current law several times.  Most recently Congress extended the current law   as part of the Jobs for Main Street Act of 2010, until December 31, 2010, while Congress works to draft and approve a new national multi-year surface highway bill.

AHC Position

The AHC, in conjunction with a broad coalition of recreational trail users, is requesting that Congress not only re-authorize the RTP, but also increase funding for the program to $555 million to be spent over the five years of the bill. 

The AHC urges its member organizations and their membership to contact Congress and voice support for this program and let them know this program is important to the horse community.