As one of the many organizational members of the Coalition for Recreational Trails (CRT), ELCR participates in advocacy for equestrian and all trails through CRT as they monitor legislation that impacts the trails community. Recently we signed a letter to the United States Senate in support of a mandated, periodic study of funding raised through a Nonhighway Recreational Fuel Study, which will give Congress a realistic look at our Recreational Trails Program and what that Program does for our equestrian and recreational community.
Things to Know about the programs developed under US and Internal Revenue Code:
- The Highway Trust Fund was established in 1986;
- The Nonhighway Recreational Fuel Tax refers to taxes from fuel used in vehicles on recreational trails or backcountry terrain; and
- The Recreational Trails Program (RTP), largely funded through the Nonhighway Recreational Fuel Tax.
Here is the body of the letter sent to Congress:
“The nation’s recreational trails community strongly supports Section 1514 of America’s Transportation Infrastructure Act of 2019, mandating a Nonhighway Recreational Fuel Study. This study is needed to allow Congress to assess the contributions of the Recreational Trails Program to our nation and strategies to continue and expand this contribution. Since its creation by ISTEA in 1991, the Recreational Trails Program has enabled more than 24,000 projects and programs to be completed under federal/state/local/private partnerships leveraging the available funding and contributing to our economy, to the nation’s health and safety, and to greater access to our public lands and waters.
We deeply appreciate the Committee’s support for trails and its response to the request for inclusion of this provision by a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators.”
To see the full letter and short description of the legislation, click here. The letter indicates the participating member organizations and the depth of their commitment to funding and bettering our trails.
Related topics
Making the Connection – Building Momentum for Virginia’s State Trails [runtime 45:49]
From Lemons to Lemonade: Creating Sustainable Trails — An ELCR Webinar
Webinar – Dealing with Opposition to Equestrian Trails
The Trail in the City – The Importance of Keeping Equestrian Trails and Facilities Close to Where We Live