WASHINGTON —A Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) directive rescinding previously allotted transportation dollars could result in a back door raid on Minnesota’s bicycle, pedestrian and rail-trail funds. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is calling on governors and state transportation officials across the country to employ fair and balanced measures when evaluating their transportation programs.

Programs most vulnerable to sweeping, disproportionate cuts include Transportation Enhancements (TE), the largest federal investment in trails, walking and bicycling in American communities. Since 1991 Transportation Enhancement provisions have been used to landscape sidewalks, develop scenic byways, create waterfront parks and preserve historical landmarks. TE has funded many of the 1,250 rail-trails used nationwide for recreation and transportation purposes.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy maintains records for TE spending in each state. In Minnesota, TE funds have been applied to such diverse and popular community projects as the Covered Bridge in Zumbrota to the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis.

The January 25 rescission notice gave states 30 days to determine how to meet their FHWA quota. Minnesota is responsible for $17,257,817 of the overall $1.26 billion rescission; Transportation Enhancements constitute 4.2% of the state’s total transportation program dollars subject to the rescission. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy calculates that TE’s fair share contribution should be no greater than $724,845. Reducing the TE program by a greater amount would subject it to a disproportionate burden and place future community projects in jeopardy.

The TE program’s small size – it counts for less than two cents of every surface transportation dollar – and slow state implementations in its early years contributed to the significant balances of unobligated funds that open it to far-reaching cuts. But there is overwhelming evidence of growing public support for the TE program at the local and national level. Spending records show that in the past five years most state obligation rates have grown by at least 10 percent, or 2 percent annually, for a current -- and climbing -- national average of 76 percent. And in September 2003, when the House Appropriations Committee voted to eliminate TE funding, a Rails-to-Trails Conservancy-led campaign resulted in tremendous public outcry – and prompted a House vote of 327 to 90 to fully restore the program’s funds.

The following excerpts, delivered during the September 4, 2003 House floor debate on preserving TE program funds, illustrate broad support for this program:

“The States have spoken. They want to retain dedicated funding for Transportation Enhancements.” -- Rep. Thomas Petri (R-Wis)

“Enhancements are popular and a needed component of a balanced transportation policy.” -- Rep. John Olver (D-Mass.)

“…Ever since word got out that this House was considering removing the dedicated funding for [Transportation Enhancements], I do not think that a day has gone by where I have not received a phone call, e-mail, fax or letter from constituents which criticize this move.” -- Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.)

“Transportation Enhancements create an environment where cyclists and pedestrians can safely coexist with motorists while also improving the landscape and community.” -- Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R-N.Y)

“Any Member who doubts the importance of Transportation Enhancements need only look at the projects completed in his or her congressional district.”

-- Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.)

“This Enhancements program was born under a Republican administration and a Democratic caucus. It has enjoyed broad bipartisan support ever since.”

-- Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.)

For more information contact Katie Magers, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, at 202-974-5115 or Katie@railtrails.org.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a nonprofit organization with more than 100,000 members and supporters, is the nation's largest trails organization dedicated to connecting people and communities by creating a nationwide network of public trails, many from former rail lines and connecting corridors. Founded in 1986, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is located in Washington, D.C.

• Lakeview design prevents infections from spreading , 8/10/2010
• Five artists honored at festival , 8/9/2010
• St. Mary's, Miller-Dwan Auxiliaries Award Scholarships , 8/6/2010
• Hayward Nursery to Continue Production This Year , 8/6/2010
• President Obama congratulates UMD math student UMD, 8/3/2010