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Home , Diamondback Bicycles, East Coast Greenway, Mississippi River Trail, North Country Trail, San Francisco Bay Trail, Yadkin River

The Honorable Robert Menendez ATTN: Eric Kollig 528 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510

March 1, 2012

Dear Senator,

We are writing to request your support for the Klobuchar/Burr/Shaheen/Risch amendment #1661 to MAP-21, which restores dedicated funding for the Recreational Program (RTP). This amendment makes the Senate bill consistent with language that is already in the House bill. In addition, this amendment is consistent with the traditional purpose of the Recreational Trails Program – to direct the gas tax revenues generated by the users of off-highway recreational vehicles , including snowmobiles, ATVs, off-highway motorcycles, and four-wheel drive vehicles to a program to provide infrastructure for their activities. Under SAFETEA-LU, the Recreational Trails Program was a mere 0.22% of the overall Federal-aid Highway Program, but represents a vital funding source that has built and maintained thousands of miles of trails – for motorized and nonmotorized users alike – in every state for close to 20 years.

These trails bring not only enjoyment to many types of users, but also critical economic benefits to local communities. In many rural areas in particular, tourism is a vital part of the economy and trails are part of the infrastructure that supports this lifeline. A study by the Institute for Transportation Research and Education at State University for the North Carolina Department of Transportation found that a one-time investment of $6.7 million in federal, state, and local funds for new trails created 1,400 jobs and pays back $60 million a year . And these critical economic benefits of trails go far beyond tourism. For example, the Billings Chamber of Commerce has branded their community “Montana’s Trailhead,” because “talented people move to Billings in large part because of our system that creates the quality of life they are expecting,” according to Chamber CEO John Brewer. Billings certainly is attractive – Fortune magazine named Billings the number one small city in attracting business, and the private sector there has taken note. According to Brewer, “in Billings – and I think throughout the country – there has been a paradigm shift. Trails are no longer viewed as community amenities; they’re truly viewed as essential infrastructure for business recruitment .”

As obesity rates reach record highs in our nation, now is also the time for Congress to show leadership in dedicating funding to a program whose primary purpose is to build and maintain infrastructure that empowers people to access the outdoors and be active. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Active Community Environments Initiative recognizes the catalyzing role that safe and accessible recreation facilities, like those built through the Recreational Trail Program, play in improving public health.

The Klobuchar/Burr/Shaheen/Risch amendment actually provides the RTP with only a portion of the funding that has been historically generated by the user fees (gas tax

revenues) of off-highway recreational vehicles . This is a program that pays for itself and provides tremendous benefits. Therefore, we urge you to support the Klobuchar/Burr/Shaheen/Risch amendment (#1661).

Sincerely,

National Organizations

Adventure Cycling International Mountain Biking Association Alliance for Bicycling and Walking International Snowmobile Manufacturers Alliance for Community Trees Association America Bikes League of American Bicyclists America Walks League of Conservation Voters American Conservation Experience Masters of Foxhounds Association American Council of Snowmobile Associations Motorcycle Industry Council American Cultural Resources Association National Dealers Association Society National Center for Bicycling and Walking American Endurance Ride Conference National Coast Trail Association American Society National Complete Streets Coalition American Horse Council National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation American Public Health Association Council American Recreation Coalition National Recreation and Park Association American Rivers National Wildlife Federation American Society of Landscape Architects North American Trail Ride Conference American Trails Outdoor Alliance American YouthWorks Pedal America Americans for Responsible Recreational Access PermaTrak America's State Parks Professional Trailbuilders Association Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Professionals Raleigh America Back Country Horsemen of America Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association Bicycle Technologies International Ride America for Safe Routes BlueRibbon Coalition Safe Routes to School National Partnership Camelbak American Corporation Choose Outdoors SockGuy City Parks Alliance Sportsmen Ride Right Coalition for Recreational Trails SRAM Diamondback Student Conservation Association Dirt Rag Magazine The Corps Network Equine Land Conservation Resource The Wilderness Society eXperticity Trailsnet.com Institute for Transportation Development and Trust for Public Land Policy

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 Alliance (CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, NC, PA, RI, SC, VA) Four Corners School of Outdoor Education (AZ, CO, NM, UT) Granite State Carriage Association (CT, ME, MA, NH, NY, RI, VT) Landscape Architects & Planners, Inc. (OH, IL, IN, MI) Trail, Inc. (AR, IL, IA, KY, LA, MN, MS, MO, TN, WI) Hikers Chapter of the North Country Trail Association (MI, MN, NY, ND, OH, PA, WI) Northern Forest Canoe Trail (ME, NH, NY, VT) Pacific Northwest 4-Wheel Drive Association (ID, OR, WA) Pine Mountain Trail Conference, Inc. (KY, VA) Piscataqua Hounds (ME, NH) Snowlands Network (CA, NV) Southwest Conservation Corps (AZ, CO, NM) Summer Feet Cycling (New , UT) Tahoe-Pyramid Bikeway (CA, NV) Trail Spinners (DE, MD, PA) Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area (CT, MA) Upper Valley Trails Alliance (NH, VT) Volcanic Legacy Community Partnership (CA, OR) West Yellowstone Ski Education Foundation (ID, MT, WY) Wild South (AL, NC, SC, GA, TN, VA, MS, LA, FL)

State Organizations

Northern Area Alaska State Parks Citizens Colorado High School Cycling League (CO) Advisory Board (AK) Bike Walk (CT) Alabama Hiking Trail Society (AL) Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CT) Alabama Innovation Engine (AL) Delaware Council Greenways & Trails (DE) Fresh Air Family (AL) Delaware Equine Council – Trails Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists (AZ) Committee (DE) Trails and Greenways Foundation (CA) (FL) Cycle California! Magazine (CA) Association (FL) Ecology Action (CA) Idaho Conservation League (ID) TransForm (CA) Idaho Pedestrian & Bicycle Alliance (ID) Idaho Pedestrian and Bicycle Alliance (ID) New Hampshire Horse Council (NH) Idaho (ID) Jersey Off Association (NJ) Illinois Trail Riders (IL) Trails Council (NJ) Greenways Foundation of Indiana (IN) New Mexico State Parks (NM) Health by Design (IN) Nevada Outdoor School (NV) Bay State Trail Riders Association (MA) Parks & Trails (NY) Bicycle Coalition (MA) Bicycle Transportation Alliance (OR) WalkBoston (MA) Oregon Bicycle Racing Association (OR) Chapter of the International Appalachian Environmental Council (PA) Trail (ME) JAYCEE Education & Library Foundation of Maine Island Trail Association (ME) (RI) Natural Resources Council of Maine (ME) Horsemen’s Council (SC) Trails & Greenways Alliance (MI) Cumberland Trail Conference (TN) Motor City Tour Company, LLC (MI) Texas Endurance Riders Association (TX) Bike Alliance of (MN) Texas Recreation and Park Society (TX) Ozark Trail Association (MO) Utah Conservation Corps (UT) Show-Me Missouri Back Country Bicycling Federation (VA) Horsemen (MO) Virginia Horse Council (VA) Montana Conservation Corps (MT) Back Country Horsemen of Washington (WA) Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (NC) Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance (WA) North Carolina Horse Council (NC) Glacial Drumlin Horse Trail Association (WI) Nebraska Trails Council (NE) Off-Highway Vehicle Association (WI) New Hampshire Arabian Horse Association (NH)

Local Organizations

Blanche Dean Chapter of the Alabama The Public Park Authority of the Cities of Wildflower Society (AL) Lincoln and Talladega (AL) Dothan Leisure Services (AL) Tuscaloosa Park & Recreation Land Trust of North Alabama (AL) Authority (AL) Limestone County Park and Recreation Phat Tire Bike Shop (AR) Board (AL) Absolute Bikes (AZ) Northeast Alabama Bicycle Association (AL) TRACKS (AZ) Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Yavapai Trails Association (AZ) Development Commission (AL) AdventureBuddies (CA) Amigos de los Rios (CA) Bay Area Bicycle Coalition (CA) Alchemist (CO) (CA) Avid4 Adventure (CO) Bellfree Contractors, Inc. (CA) BetterRide, Inc. (CO) Bicycle Trails Council of the (CA) Boulder Bike Tours (CO) Bike San Gabriel Valley (CA) Cycles of Life (CO) Cycling Camps San Diego (CA) Everest Realty (CO) East Bay Area Trails Council (CA) Giant Cycling World (CO) East Bay Bicycle Coalition (CA) Headwaters Trails Alliance (CO) Family Cycling Center (CA) Mile Hi Rafting (CO) Fresno County Economic Opportunities Natureshape LLC (CO) Commission (CA) New Freedom Corporation (CO) Friends of the El Dorado Trail (CA) Poudre River Trail Corridor, Inc. (CO) Hayward Hiking Club (CA) Real Winter Park Inc (CO) Hilride (CA) SAK LLC Beavers Sports Shop, Ski4less, Snow Humboldt Trails Council (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) Montclair Hiking Club - Montclair Recreation Newtown Parks and Recreation (CT) Center (CA) Vernon Parks and Recreation (CT) Mt. Shasta Nordic Ski Organization (CA) Wooden Wheels (DE) Napa County Bicycle Coalition (CA) A1A Cycle Works (FL) Natural Resources Services Division of Naples Pathways Coalition (FL) Redwood Community Action Agency Southern Trailriders Assn. (FL) (CA) Alpha Bikes (GA) RRM Design Group (CA) Cycle World Albany (GA) Ryan Snyder Associates (CA) Family Life Chiropractic Center (GA) Bay Trail (CA) Fireside Outdoor Kitchens & Grills (GA) San Francisco Bicycle Coalition (CA) Goldens Bicycle Shop (GA) San Luis Obispo County Bicycle Coalition (CA) West Maui Cycles (HI) Santa Cruz Bicycle Industry Coalition (CA) Hawkeye Bicycle Association (IA) Santa Cruz County Friends of the (CA) The Bike Shop Inc (IA) Sierra Buttes Trails Stewardship (CA) Two Knobby Tires (IA) Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition (CA) Brundage Mtn Co (ID) The City Project (CA) Friends of the Weiser River Trail (ID) Transportation Agency for Monterey Galena Lodge (ID) County (CA) Latah Trail Foundation (ID) WalkSanDiego (CA) Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area (ID) Weekly Wanderers (CA) Nampa Bicycle & Pedestrian Citizens Advisory (ID) (CA) Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute (ID) Valley County Pathways (ID) Eaton County Parks (MI) Vertical Earth LLC (ID) Friends of the (MI) YRU Contracting Inc (ID) Friends of the Clinton River Trail (MI) Pleasure Driveway and Park District of Peoria (IL) Friends of the Kalamazoo River Valley B & O Trail Association (IN) Trailway (MI) City of Fort Wayne (IN) Iron Ore (MI) Gray Goat Sports (IN) North Country Bicycle Club (MI) Northwest Indiana Paddling Association (IN) Paul Henry Association (MI) Three Rivers Velo Sport (IN) Scio Township Paths Technical Advisory Traders Point Hunt (IN) Committee (MI) Bicycle Pedaler (KS) St. Joseph County Parks & Recreation Commission (MI) Bike\Walk Alliance - Wichita (KS) The Greenway Collaborative, Inc. (MI) Dillon Nature Center (KS) Top of Michigan Trails Council (MI) GreenWay Alliance (KS) Continental Ski and Bike (MN) Larned Pride Organization (KS) Country Inn Deerwood (MN) Oz Bicycle Club (KS) Cycle Path & Paddle (MN) Prairie Travelers (KS) Laurentian Lakes Chapter, North Country Trail Sand Creek Trail (KS) Association (MN) Reser Bicycle, LLC (KY) Long Lake Hounds (MN) Dana Brown & Associates (LA) Sawtooth Outfitters (MN) Moore Planning Group, LLC (LA) Association (MN) City of Newburyport – Office of Planning and Superior North Outdoor Center (MN) Development (MA) Transit for Livable Communities (MN) Coastal Trails Coalition (MA) Forest Lake Area Trail System (MO) Friends of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail (MA) NEMO Chapter of the Back Country Horseman (MO) Great Barrington Housatonic River Walk (MA) Ozark Greenways (MO) Great Barrington Trails and Greenways (MA) PedNet Coalition, Inc. (MO) Groundwork Lawrence (MA) Walt's Bicycle, Fitness, and Wilderness Co (MO) Lake Gardner Improvement Association (MA) Borestone Farm (MS) Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust, Inc. (MA) Active Transportation Alternatives (MT) Squannacook Greenways, Inc. (MA) Beartooth Recreational Trails Association (MT) Bike Doctor (MD) City of Bozeman (MT) Bike Doctor Linthicum (MD) Colstrip Park and Recreation District (MT) Equestrian Partners in Conservation (MD) Foy’s to Blacktail Trails (MT) Portland Trails (ME) Gallatin Equestrian Partnership (MT) Beckett and Raeder (MI) Grant Creek Trails Association, Inc. (MT) Calhoun County Trailway Alliance (MI) Great Falls Bicycle Club (MT) Charter Township of Oakland (MI) Green & Green Realty (MT) City of Ann Arbor (MI) Helena Bicycle Club (MT) City of Rochester Hills (MI) Lewiston Trails Coordinating Committee (MT) Missoula Parks & Recreation (MT) Greater Eugene Area Riders (OR) Seeley Lake Nordic Club (MT) Seaside Chamber of Commerce (OR) CETA Collinsville Equestrian Trail Assn. (NC) Single Track LLC (OR) First Flight Bikes (NC) Applied Trails Research, LLC (PA) Native Trails, Inc. (NC) Freeze Thaw Cycles (PA) Rutherford County Outdoor Coalition — Friends of the Cresheim Trail (PA) Equestrian Division (NC) Ironton Rail-Trail (PA) Ski Country Sports (NC) Penn Trails (PA) Trail Dynamics LLC (NC) York County Rail Trail Authority (PA) Triangle Greenways Council (NC) Central Rhode Island JAYCEES (RI) Uwharrie Trail Riders Association (NC) Far Out Farm (RI) WS Greenways (NC) Kent County Junior Chamber (RI) Greenway (NC) The Lowcountry Hunt (SC) Dakota Cyclery Mountain Bike Adventures (ND) Black Hills Back Country Horsemen of South Friends of the Northern Rail Trail in Merrimack Dakota (SD) County (NH) Mississippi River Corridor – TN (TN) Likin’ Bikin’ LLC (NH) Ride Royal Blue ATV Resort and Campground (TN) Littleton Bike & Fitness (NH) Sunningdale Farms (TN) Piscataquog Area Trailways, Inc. (NH) Aggieland Cycling (TX) Somerset County Horse & Pony Association (NJ) Arrowhead Bicycles, LLC (TX) Sussex Bike & Sport Shop (NJ) Bike Masters LLC (TX) Carson Valley Trail Association (NV) Bikesport (TX) Friends of the Edgewood – Oak Brush Mad Duck Cyclery (TX) Plains (NY) Wild Planet Earth Adventures, dba Desert Sports (TX) Genesee Valley Hunt (NY) Chile Pepper Bike Shop (UT) Go Ride A Bike (NY) Grand Staircase Escalante Partners (UT) Greenways and Healthy Trails (NY) Weber Pathways (UT) Muttontown Horsemen's Association (NY) Alexandria Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory The Bike Rack (NY) Committee (VA) The Serpentine Art and Nature Clifton Horse Society (VA) Commons, Inc. (NY) East Coasters Bike Shop (VA) Hunt Inc. Mounted Fox Hunting Everything Equine LLC (VA) Club (OH) North Mountain Ski Club (VA) InMotion Bicycle Shop LLC (OH) Shenandoah Bicycle Company (VA) Montgomery Cyclery, Inc. (OH) The Bike Lane (VA) River Four Wheelers (OH) Wilderness Lakes Trail Riders (VA) Stark County Park District (OH) Williamsburg Area Bicyclists (VA) City of Eugene (OR) The Broken Spoke Bicycle Shop (WA) City of Springfield (OR) Capitol Riders Chapter of BackCountry Cog Wild Mountain Bike Tours (OR) Horsemen of Washington (WA) Cascade Bicycle Club (WA) Robert W. Droll, Landscape Architects, PS (WA) Eatonville Outdoor (WA) Trestle Farms (WA) Feet First (WA) Washington Recreation & Park Assoc (WA) Ferry County Rail Trail Partners (WA) Wildlife Cycles (WA) ForeverGreen Council (WA) Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival (WI) Inland Northwest Trails Association (WA) Kettle Moraine ATV Association, Inc. (WI) Lewis County Community Trails (W A) Big Bear Lake Camplands (WV) Mounty Tahoma Trails Association (WA) KGB Productions (WY) Kulshan Cycles (WA) Goosewing Ranch (WY)