 |
Memorandum |
|
| U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration |
| Subject: | ACTION: Great Outdoors Month - June 2005 | Date: |
May 18, 2005 |
| From: | // Original signed by // Mary E. Peters Administrator |
Reply to: | HFL-1 |
| To: | All Employees | ||
President George W. Bush has proclaimed June 2005 as Great Outdoors Month--a month to observe with appropriate ceremonies and activities and to participate in safe and enjoyable outdoor recreation. In doing so, the President said that outdoor recreation "is an ideal way to exercise and enjoy memorable experiences with family and friends, and all across our country are scenic places that sports and nature enthusiasts can explore and help keep beautiful." As Honorary Co-Chair of Great Outdoors Month, I want to encourage each of you and your families to take time to enjoy the many outdoor activities and opportunities that are available to each of us.
We tend to think of recreation as fun rather than work. However, recreational opportunities are always the result of work on the part of those who create them. The FHWA family knows this because recreation is an important element of the FHWA's work and one of the key functions of a transportation network. With our Federal Lands, Scenic Byways, Transportation Enhance-ments, and Recreational Trails programs, the link between transportation and recreation is obvious, but the Interstate System and other road networks we helped create is perhaps the greatest facilitator of recreational opportunities in history. That is one of the reasons why the work we do plays such a large part in the American way of life.
Recreation is very important to the American people. Outdoor recreation promotes health, fitness, and environmental awareness. Today, with so many factors pulling us into a sedentary lifestyle, people need to refresh their mind, body, and spirit more than ever, and outdoor recreation is a great solution. Opportunities abound for all of us, from seniors to children, families to individuals, and the athletic to the "couch potato."
While I encourage each of you to enjoy outdoor recreation in June, we also have a professional stake in Great Outdoors Month because the FHWA supports outdoor activities in numerous ways:
Federal Lands Highway Program: Under the Federal Lands Highway Program, we work with our Federal, State, and local partners to support over 900 million people who visit National Parks, National Forests, and wildlife refuges each year. Maintaining and improving this access is as important for the recreation industry as it is to the FHWA, Federal land management agencies, and visitors to these resources. For more information, see http://flh.fhwa.dot.gov/.
National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads: Scenic Byways are the roads people travel as a form of recreation. The FHWA's formal involvement in Scenic Byways came with the creation of an interim program under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA). Nearly 14 years later, motorists can enjoy 96 National Scenic Byways and All American Roads in 39 States, with Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta expected to announce a new round of designations in September. In a recent survey, one of the most significant findings was that three-quarters of the people like to take the most interesting route, rather than the quickest. Often, the most interesting route is one of America's Byways. For more information, see www.byways.org and www.bywaysonline.org.
Recreational Trails Program: Since this program was created by ISTEA, we have worked with our public and private partners to advance more than 7,000 recreational trail projects with over $250 million in Recreational Trails funds. These trails cover the spectrum of trail possibilities, with opportunities for hikers, bicyclists, equestrians, cross-country skiers, and operators of snowmobile and all-terrain vehicles and dirt bikes. For more information, see www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/rectrails.
Transportation Enhancements (TE): Since 1992, more than 19,000 TE projects have been selected for funding, totaling more than $5.5 billion. About one third of these projects are trail-related projects that provide healthy exercise. Another third benefit historic preservation and increase our care and appreciation of historic resources. The remainder includes projects to protect scenic views that enhance the travel experience; assist in development of transportation museums, or improve wetlands and wildlife habitat-preserving our environment for future generations. For more information, see www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/te.
Given this direct FHWA involvement in outdoor recreation, I strongly encourage each of our field offices to participate in Great Outdoors Month, locally, in your own way. Contact our partners and see how the FHWA can help spread the word about Great Outdoors Month.
During June, I am sure that President Bush will find time to enjoy his passion for mountain biking. I hope to hit the road on my Harley. I am sure that each of you has a favorite outdoor activity, and I encourage you to enjoy it, to share it with family and friends, and to make outdoor activities a regular part of your life.
You will find a list of Great Outdoors activities at http://www.greatoutdoorsmonth.org/. For more information, please contact Mr. Wady Williams of the Office of Federal Lands Highway, 202-366-9488.
