Not a Drill: Trail Funding in Dire Straits. Act Now.

Inspiring Movement Dear Reader, Update: Moments before this email was sent, we received word that, against all odds, the House just announced that their bill will be broken into smaller pieces... arguably an implicit acknowledgement that support for the bill was faltering after a groundswell of opposition! The current U.S. Senate version of our next federal transportation bill is really damaging for trails, walking and bicycling. But, there's a solution! Please: Ask your senators to support Amendment #1549 and Sen. Klobuchar's Recreational Trails now! By now, you hopefully know we don't cry wolf. We respect your time and try to only ask for your voice when it's truly important. It couldn't be more important than right now. We need your help for the second time in less than a week because both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate will be moving quickly on their respective drafts of our nation's next multiyear transportation bill. So, please know our increased messaging is only because we face the most dangerous time in our movement's history. Unfortunately, both the House and Senate bills take drastic steps to eliminate dedicated funding for trails, walking and bicycling despite 20 years of wildly popular and cost-effective investment in building safer and healthier communities. But thankfully, there is a solution! U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) have introduced an amendment (Amdt. #1549) to the Senate bill that would ensure communities a fair shot at dedicating funding for trails, walking and bicycling. Further, Senator Klobuchar (D-Minn.) will introduce an amendment that would restore the Recreational Trails Program. Please ask your senator to support the Cardin/Cochran and Klobuchar amendments. Your senator's backing could help ensure that communities like yours will have the opportunity to apply a tiny slice of the federal transportation funding to build trails and other facilities that make it safe to walk and bicycle. Please stay tuned as we continue to closely monitor the progress of these bills. Your action is already making a difference, as the above update indicates. Thank you, in advance, for your willingness to read and respond to these urgent calls for action. Sincerely, Kevin Mills Vice President of Policy and Trail Development Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Rails-to-Trails Conservancy The Duke Ellington Building 2121 Ward Ct., NW 5th Floor Washington, DC 20037 202.331.9696