2/13/2012

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Dear Senator «Last_Name»,

We are writing to request your support for the Cardin/Cochran amendment #1549 to MAP- 21, to ensure local access to Transportation Enhancement (TE) and Safe Routes to School (SRTS) funds. This amendment will ensure the effective implementation of TE and SRTS eligibilities by empowering local governments through suballocation of funds to Tier I metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs). In addition, for localities outside of Tier I MPOs, the amendment provides a streamlined administrative structure for a statewide pool set aside for these activities. At the same time, the amendment improves capacity for state departments of transportation (DOTs) to partner with locals.

Since 1992, the Transportation Enhancements program has brought tremendous benefits to local communities through improved transportation choice, economic development, historic revitalization, and environmental restoration of the surface transportation system. This program enjoys broad local support in every state. For example, just in one area in Florida, 13 counties, cities and transportation agencies in and around Daytona Beach have passed resolutions supporting federal investment in TE. Local communities also support TE because of the job-creation benefits these projects provide; a recent American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials/Transportation Research Board study found that TE projects create more jobs per dollar than any other type of Federal-aid highway spending. However, a major challenge for state DOTs in implementing this program has been the local-scale orientation of the eligible activities, a non-traditional area for state DOTs. There is limited capacity at the state level for addressing these myriad, sometimes competing, priorities. The Cardin/Cochran amendment resolves these issues in an elegant,

win-win modification of the original bill language.

The Safe Routes to School program similarly benefits local communities by targeting specific schools for infrastructure improvements and educational programs that promote safety. The simple fact is that in the early 1970’s, half of all American kids walked or biked to school; now the figure is only 15 percent. The SRTS program has been profoundly influential in empowering a grassroots movement to turn around this trend. Parents know best what is needed to create safe conditions for their children to walk and bike to school – the Cardin/Cochran amendment brings these decisions closer to them. Every dollar in MAP-21 available to help children be active and safe should be spent in the most efficient way possible, and the Cardin/Cochran amendment will achieve this.

Friends of the Northern Rail in Merrimack County

MAINKearney STREET

National Organizations

AARP National Dealers Association Adventure Cycling National Center for Bicycling and Walking Alliance for Bicycling and Walking National Complete Streets Coalition America Bikes National Recreation and Park Association America Walks National Trust for Historic Preservation American Cultural Resources Association National Wildlife Federation American Heart Association Natural Resources Defense Council American Horse Council Outdoor Alliance American Public Health Association Pedal America American Recreation Coalition Performance Bicycle American Rivers Preservation Action American Society of Landscape Architects Professional Trailbuilders Association American Public Health Law and Policy American YouthWorks Rails-to-Trails Conservancy America's State Parks Raleigh America Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Safe Kids Worldwide Professionals (APBP) Safe Routes to School National Partnership Bicycle Technologies International American Corporation Camelbak Sierra Club Choose Outdoors Society for Historical Archaeology City Parks Alliance SRAM Coalition for Recreational Trails Student Conservation Association Diamondback The Corps Network eXperticity Transportation for America Institute for Transportation Development and Trust for America’s Health Policy (ITDP) International Mountain Biking Association YMCA of the USA League of American Bicyclists League of Conservation Voters

Trailsnet.com Dirt Rag Magazine Ride America for Safe Routes SockGuy Regional Organizations

Appalachian Mountain Club (CT, DE, DC, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT, VA, WV) The Arkansas River Coalition (AR, CO, KS, OK) East Coast Greenway Alliance (CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, NC, PA, RI, SC, VA) Landscape Architects & Planners, Inc. (OH, IL, IN, MI) Mississippi River Trail, Inc. (AR, IL, IA, KY, LA, MN, MS, MO, TN, WI) Southwest Conservation Corps (AZ, CO, NM) Tahoe-Pyramid Bikeway (CA, NV) Trail Spinners (DE, MD, PA) Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area (CT, MA) Upper Valley Trails Alliance (NH, VT)

State Organizations

Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists (AZ) Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition (MA) Bicycle Coalition (CA) Child Safety Solutions (ME) California State Alliance of YMCAs (CA) Michigan Trails & Greenways Alliance (MI) California Trails and Greenways Foundation (CA) Motor City Tour Company, LLC (MI) Cycle California! Magazine (CA) State Alliance of Michigan YMCAs (MI) Ecology Action (CA) Preservation Alliance of Minnesota (MN) TransForm (CA) Missouri State Alliance of YMCAs (MO) Colorado High School Cycling League (CO) Mississippi Main Street Association (MS) Colorado State Alliance of YMCAs (CO) Mississippi State Alliance of YMCAs (MS) Bike Walk Connecticut (CT) Montana Conservation Corps (MT) Connecticut Main Street Center (CT) Montana State Alliance of YMCAs (MT) Delaware Council Greenways & Trails (DE) Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (NC) Delaware Equine Council – Trails Committee North Carolina State Alliance of YMCAs (NC) (DE) Nebraska Trails Council (NE) Florida State Alliance of YMCAs (FL) New Jersey Trails Council (NJ) Florida Trail Association (FL) New Jersey YMCA State Alliance (NJ) Georgia State Alliance of YMCAs (GA) Alliance of New York State YMCAs (NY) Iowa State Alliance of YMCAs (IA) Parks & Trails New York (NY) Idaho Pedestrian and Bicycle Alliance (ID) Ohio State Alliance of YMCAs (OH) Idaho State Alliance of YMCAs (ID) Pioneering Healthier Communities Ohio (OH) Illinois State Alliance of YMCAs (IL) Oklahoma State Alliance of YMCAs (OK) Health by Design (IN) Bicycle Transportation Alliance (OR) Indiana State Alliance of YMCAs (IN) Oregon Bicycle Racing Association (OR) Kansas State Alliance of YMCAs (KS) Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PA) Kentucky State Alliance of YMCAs (KY) JAYCEE Education & Library Foundation of Louisiana Landmarks Society (LA) Rhode Island (RI) Louisiana State Alliance of YMCAs (LA) South Carolina Horsemen’s Council (SC) South Carolina State Alliance of YMCAs (SC) Texas YMCA State Alliance (TX) South Dakota State Alliance of YMCAs (SD) Utah Conservation Corps (UT) Tennessee Preservation Trust (TN) Utah State Alliance of Ys (UT) Tennessee State Alliance of YMCAs (TN) Washington State Alliance of YMCAs (WA) Preservation Texas, Inc. (TX) Wisconsin/UP YMCA State Alliance (WI) Texas Recreation and Park Society (TX)

Local Organizations

Baldwin County Trailblazers (AL) Bicycle Coalition (CA) Dothan Leisure Services (AL) San Luis Obispo County Bicycle Coalition (CA) Limestone County Park and Recreation Board Santa Cruz Bicycle Industry Coalition (CA) (AL) Santa Cruz County Friends of the Rail Trail (CA) Historic Park Hill Neighborhood Association (AR) Save Our Heritage Organisation (CA) Phat Tire Bike Shop (AR) Sierra Buttes Trails Stewardship (CA) Absolute Bikes (AZ) Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition (CA) TRACKS (AZ) The City Project (CA) Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (CA) Transportation Agency for Monterey County Bay Area Bicycle Coalition (CA) (CA) (CA) WalkSanDiego (CA) Bellfree Contractors, Inc. (CA) (CA) Bicycle Trails Council of the (CA) Alchemist (CO) Bike San Gabriel Valley (CA) Avid4 Adventure (CO) California Public Health Association-North (CA) BetterRide, Inc. (CO) Cycling Camps San Diego (CA) Boulder Bike Tours (CO) East Bay Area Trails Council (CA) City of Boulder (CO) East Bay Bicycle Coalition (CA) Cycles of Life (CO) Family Cycling Center (CA) Everest Realty (CO) Fresno County Economic Opportunities Giant Cycling World (CO) Commission (CA) Mile Hi Rafting (CO) Hilride (CA) New Freedom Corporation (CO) Humboldt Trails Council (CA) Real Winter Park Inc (CO) Kirkwood Mountain Resort LLC (CA) SAK LLC Beavers Sports Shop, Ski4less, Snow Local Government Commission (CA) Mountain Sports (CO) Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (CA) The Trailhead and Trailhead Cycle & Ski (CO) Marin County Bicycle Coalition (CA) Tin Shed Sports (CO) McCloud Local First Network (CA) Winter Park Resort (CO) Move San Diego (CA) Bike & Pedestrian Alliance of Clinton (CT) Napa County Bicycle Coalition (CA) Wooden Wheels (DE) Ryan Snyder Associates (CA) A1A Cycle Works (FL) San Diego Bicycle Coalition (CA) Naples Pathways Coalition (FL) Trail (CA) Alpha Bikes (GA) Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation, Inc. (GA) Bike Doctor (MD) Cycle World Albany (GA) Bike Doctor Linthicum (MD) Family Life Chiropractic Center (GA) Beckett & Raeder (MI) Goldens Bicycle Shop (GA) Calhoun County Trailway Alliance (MI) West Maui Cycles (HI) Charter Township of Oakland (MI) Hawkeye Bicycle Association (IA) City of Ann Arbor (MI) The Bike Shop Inc (IA) City of Rochester Hills (MI) Two Knobby Tires (IA) Eaton County Parks (MI) Brundage Mtn Co (ID) Friends of the Betsie Valley Trail (MI) Friends of the Weiser River Trail (ID) Friends of the Clinton River Trail (MI) Galena Lodge (ID) Iron Ore Heritage Trail (MI) Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area (ID) North Country Bicycle Club (MI) Nampa Bicycle & Pedestrian Citizens Advisory Paul Henry Thornapple Trail Association (MI) (ID) Scio Township Paths Technical Advisory Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute (ID) Committee (MI) Valley County Pathways (ID) St. Joseph County Parks & Recreation Vertical Earth LLC (ID) Commission (MI) YRU Contracting Inc (ID) The Greenway Collaborative, Inc. (MI) Pleasure Driveway and Park District of Peoria Top of Michigan Trails Council (MI) (IL) Continental Ski and Bike (MN) B & O Trail Association (IN) Country Inn Deerwood (MN) Gray Goat Sports (IN) Cycle Path & Paddle (MN) Northwest Indiana Paddling Association (IN) Superior North Outdoor Center (MN) Bicycle Pedaler (KS) Forest Lake Area Trail System (MO) GreenWay Alliance (KS) Historic Kansas City Foundation (MO) Oz Bicycle Club (KS) Missouri Main Street Connection (MO) Prairie Travelers (KS) Ozark Greenways (MO) Preservation Louisville (KY) PedNet Coalition, Inc. (MO) Reser Bicycle, LLC (KY) Walt's Bicycle, Fitness, and Wilderness Co (MO) Dana Brown & Associates (LA) Active Transportation Alternatives (MT) Moore Planning Group, LLC (LA) Beartooth Recreational Trails Association (MT) Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans City of Bozeman (MT) (LA) Colstrip Park and Recreation District (MT) City of Newburyport – Office of Planning and Grant Creek Trails Association, Inc. (MT) Development (MA) Green & Green Realty (MT) Coastal Trails Coalition (MA) Helena Bicycle Club (MT) Friends of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail (MA) Lewiston Trails Coordinating Committee (MT) Great Barrington Housatonic River Walk (MA) Missoula Parks & Recreation (MT) Great Barrington Trails and Greenways (MA) Seeley Lake Nordic Club (MT) Groundwork Lawrence (MA) First Flight Bikes (NC) Lake Gardner Improvement Association (MA) Heart of Brevard (NC) Squannacook Greenways, Inc. (MA) Native Trails, Inc. (NC) Ski Country Sports (NC) Aggieland Cycling (TX) Triangle Greenways Council (NC) Arrowhead Bicycles, LLC (TX) Yadkin River Greenway (NC) Bike Masters LLC (TX) Dakota Cyclery Adventures (ND) Bikesport (TX) Alliance Area Family YMCA (NE) Mad Duck Cyclery (TX) Columbus Family Y (NE) San Antonio Conservation Society (TX) Fremont Family Y (NE) Desert Sports (TX) Main Street Kearney (NE) Chile Pepper Bike Shop (UT) McCook YMCA (NE) Grand Staircase Escalante Partners (UT) Norm Waitt Sr. YMCA (NE) Weber Pathways (UT) Scottsbluff Family YMCA (NE) Alexandria Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Friends of the Northern Rail Trail in Merrimack Committee (VA) County (NH) East Coasters Bike Shop (VA) Likin’ Bikin’ LLC (NH) Shenandoah Bicycle Company (VA) Littleton Bike & Fitness (NH) The Bike Lane (VA) Somerset County Horse & Pony Association (NJ) Feet First (WA) Sussex Bike & Sport Shop (NJ) Cascade Bicycle Club (WA) Friends of the Edgewood – Oak Brush Plains Eatonville Outdoor (WA) (NY) Ferry County Rail Trail Partners (WA) Go Ride A Bike (NY) Inland Northwest Trails Association (WA) Greenways and Healthy Trails (NY) Kulshan Cycles (WA) Muttontown Horsemen's Association (NY) Lewis County Community Trails (WA) The Bike Rack (NY) The Broken Spoke Bicycle Shop (WA) The Serpentine Art and Nature Commons, Inc. Wildlife Cycles (WA) (NY) Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival (WI) Cleveland Restoration Society (OH) Big Bear Lake Camplands (WV) InMotion Bicycle Shop LLC (OH) Goosewing Ranch (WY) Montgomery Cyclery, Inc. (OH) KGB Productions (WY) City of Eugene (OR) City of Springfield (OR) Cog Wild Mountain Bike Tours (OR) Greater Eugene Area Riders (OR) Seaside Chamber of Commerce (OR) Single Track LLC (OR) Freeze Thaw Cycles (PA) Ironton Rail-Trail Oversight Commission (PA) Central Rhode Island JAYCEES (RI) Kent County Junior Chamber (RI) Historic Charleston Foundation (SC) Mississippi River Corridor – TN (TN) Ride Royal Blue ATV Resort and Campground (TN)