Support for the Recreational Trails Program is Needed Now!
The House of Representatives will begin to debate its version of a multi-year national highway bill, called the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act (STRR Act) (H.R. 3763) this week. The bill would reauthorize the Federal Highway Administration's Recreational Trails Program (RTP). The horse industry benefits greatly from this program.
However, two amendments have been introduced by Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) and by Rep. Ted Yoho (R-FL) to eliminate the RTP program. The House could vote on these amendments this week.
Since its inception RTP has provided money for thousands of state and local trail projects across the country, including many that benefit equestrians. RTP provides funding directly to the states for recreational trails and trail-related facilities for all recreational trail users. It is funded with a portion of the gas taxes paid into the Highway Trust Fund by recreational off-highway vehicle users.
The American Horse Council urges all recreational riders and trail users to call their Representative and ask them to oppose the Carter Amendment #69 and the Yoho amendment # 158 or any amendment to the STRR Act that would eliminate the Recreational Trails Program.
Please contact:
Tom McClintock
United States House of Representatives, California's 4th District
CONTACT:
Tom McClintock
United States House of Representatives, California's 4th District
CLICK HERE TO TAKE ACTION:
OR-----
Doug LaMalfa
United States House of Representatives, California's 1st District
CLICK HERE TO EMAIL
OR, FIND your representative HERE.
Here is the SAMPLE LETTER you can cut and paste:
Dear Representative:
I am writing to urge you to support the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) and oppose amendments by Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA (#69) and Rep. Ted Yoho (R-FL) (#158) to the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act (H.R. 3763) that would eliminate the RTP program.
The RTP program provides funding directly to the states for recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both non-motorized and motorized recreational trail uses. Since its inception the RTP has provided funding for thousands of state and local trail projects across the country, including many that benefit equestrians. These amendments would take the federal gas taxes paid by non-highway recreationists away from the trails community and use them for other purposes.
RTP is a very effective, user-pay/user-benefit program and a proven success story. It serves as the foundation for state trail programs across the country, facilitates healthy outdoor recreation, and helps spur economic activity in countless communities.
Recreational riding alone has a direct and significant impact on our state and national economy. The recreational horse industry contributes $ 31.9 billion a year to the U. S. economy and employs nearly 435,082 people nationwide.
The recreational horse industry is dependent on equestrian access to public lands and well maintained trails and trail facilities. RTP is vital for making sure recreational riders in our state continue to have access to existing trails and have greater riding opportunities in the future.
Again, I strongly urge you to oppose the Carter Amendment #69 and the Yoho amendment # 158 to the STRR Act that would eliminate the RTP program. If RTP were eliminated, organized trail planning and development would largely vanish in our state.
The House of Representatives will begin to debate its version of a multi-year national highway bill, called the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act (STRR Act) (H.R. 3763) this week. The bill would reauthorize the Federal Highway Administration's Recreational Trails Program (RTP). The horse industry benefits greatly from this program.
However, two amendments have been introduced by Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) and by Rep. Ted Yoho (R-FL) to eliminate the RTP program. The House could vote on these amendments this week.
Since its inception RTP has provided money for thousands of state and local trail projects across the country, including many that benefit equestrians. RTP provides funding directly to the states for recreational trails and trail-related facilities for all recreational trail users. It is funded with a portion of the gas taxes paid into the Highway Trust Fund by recreational off-highway vehicle users.
The American Horse Council urges all recreational riders and trail users to call their Representative and ask them to oppose the Carter Amendment #69 and the Yoho amendment # 158 or any amendment to the STRR Act that would eliminate the Recreational Trails Program.
Please contact:
Tom McClintock
United States House of Representatives, California's 4th District
CONTACT:
Tom McClintock
United States House of Representatives, California's 4th District
CLICK HERE TO TAKE ACTION:
OR-----
Doug LaMalfa
United States House of Representatives, California's 1st District
CLICK HERE TO EMAIL
OR, FIND your representative HERE.
Here is the SAMPLE LETTER you can cut and paste:
Dear Representative:
I am writing to urge you to support the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) and oppose amendments by Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA (#69) and Rep. Ted Yoho (R-FL) (#158) to the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act (H.R. 3763) that would eliminate the RTP program.
The RTP program provides funding directly to the states for recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both non-motorized and motorized recreational trail uses. Since its inception the RTP has provided funding for thousands of state and local trail projects across the country, including many that benefit equestrians. These amendments would take the federal gas taxes paid by non-highway recreationists away from the trails community and use them for other purposes.
RTP is a very effective, user-pay/user-benefit program and a proven success story. It serves as the foundation for state trail programs across the country, facilitates healthy outdoor recreation, and helps spur economic activity in countless communities.
Recreational riding alone has a direct and significant impact on our state and national economy. The recreational horse industry contributes $ 31.9 billion a year to the U. S. economy and employs nearly 435,082 people nationwide.
The recreational horse industry is dependent on equestrian access to public lands and well maintained trails and trail facilities. RTP is vital for making sure recreational riders in our state continue to have access to existing trails and have greater riding opportunities in the future.
Again, I strongly urge you to oppose the Carter Amendment #69 and the Yoho amendment # 158 to the STRR Act that would eliminate the RTP program. If RTP were eliminated, organized trail planning and development would largely vanish in our state.
RSS Feed