Federal Funds to be Rescinded for Some Trail Programs

For Immediate Release
04-03-07
Contact: Drew Vankat, Policy Analyst
drew@imba.com
303-545-9011

Congress recently instructed the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) to take back a record $3.47 billion in transportation monies. In the next few weeks, some states will need to return several years' worth of funding, which includes trails-related programs. IMBA and other organizations are concerned that cuts may be targeted unfairly at Transportation Enhancements (TE) that support trails projects.

State governors must decide how to apply the funding cuts to their transportation budgets. It is especially important that the rescissions be allocated equitably, and that TE budgets not be slashed drastically. Although TE projects often fund paved trail systems, some have led to the creation of valuable singletrack trails.

The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has posted an in-depth action alert and simple steps to take action and make sure important trails programs are preserved.