Mike Ripley

OBRA

Give a call and support the trails.

Mike

[image: International Mountain Biking
Association]
*Hundreds of Trail Projects Could Be Eliminated
*
Dear ron strasser,

[image: IMBA]
The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is the ONLY federal funding source
for multi-use singletrack trails.

RTP is in grave danger in both chambers of the U.S. Congress. This week,
both the House and Senate are expected to vote on their respective
transportation bills.

In the Senate, RTP is eliminated, but U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) is
offering an amendment to restore dedicated funding.

In the House, RTP was included in legislation forwarded by the committee,
but Rep. Steve King (R-IA) has an amendment to eliminate the program. The
entire House of Representatives hears the bill later this week.

*Take Action in the Senate!*
Call your U.S. Senator today at 202-224-3121 and ask them to "VOTE YES on
the Klobuchar amendment to MAP-21," or use this easy e-mail
*form*from
theAmerican Motorcyclists Association.

*Take Action in the House!*
Call your U.S. Representative at 202-225-3121 and ask them to "VOTE NO on
amendment #230 by Rep. Steve King (R-IA) that will eliminate the
Recreational Trails Program."

See below for a sample script for your calls and emails. Find your
*Senator*or
*Representative*.

RTP funding provides $85 million annually for trail construction and
maintenance. Since 1993, RTP has funded more than 15,000 projects
nationwide and leverages local and state funding. Only a small portion of
federal funds collected are returned to the program for motorized and
non-motorized trail projects.

Read more *here*.

Thank you for your help.

Sincerely,

*Jenn Dice, IMBA Government Affairs Director*
P.S. Additionally, U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Thad Cochran (R-MS)
are offering a floor amendment to restore funding for Transportation
Enhancements and Safe Routes to School programs. The League of American
Bicyclists has provided a simple way to *register your support for these
programs.
*

*Here is a quick script:*

*Senate:* "Hi, I am calling to ask (your Senator's name) to VOTE YES on the
Klobuchar amendment to MAP-21 that will restore dedicated funding to the
Recreational Trails Program."

*House:* "Hi, I am calling to ask (your Representative's name) to VOTE NO
on Amendment #230 by Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) that would eliminate the
Recreational Trails Program in the transportation bill (H.R. 7). "

*Additional script:*

Eliminating dedicated funding for the RTP violates the "user-pay and
user-benefit" philosophy undergirding the nation's surface transportation
program. Eliminating funding converts a legitimate user fee into an unfair
tax.

Organized trail planning and development will simply vanish in many areas
of the country. The elimination of the RTP represents a substantial new tax
on motorized recreation enthusiasts. Ending dedicated funding for RTP takes
these gas taxes away from the people who pay them.

207 Canyon, Suite 301
Boulder, CO 80302
United States
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--
Mike Ripley
Mudslinger Events
OBRA MTB Rep
PO BOX 87
Monroe, OR. 97456