Recreational Trails Program and
Transportation Enhancement Activities

• Action Items
  • FY 2009 Federal-Aid Highway Program Apportionments
  • 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines
  • National Recreation Trail Designation Applications

• Awards and Anniversaries: National Trails System Act 40th Anniversary

• Training / Resources
  • Universal Trail Assessment Process
  • Tax Incentives for Trails and Conservation

• Upcoming Conferences and Calendars

Program Update - October 10, 2008

Action Items / Calls for Conference Presentations

FY 2009 Federal-Aid Highway Program Apportionments

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced FY 2009 Federal-Aid Highway Program apportionments. See FHWA Notices at www.fhwa.dot.gov/legsregs/directives/notices.htm.

• Note for TE: Apportionments for Transportation Enhancement funds depend on calculations made after the final fiscal year appropriations act takes effect, and are posted in Supplementary Tables later in the fiscal year. See www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/te/app_resc_ob.htm for details. TE funds are a subset of STP funds and are available for obligation.
• Note for RTP: Recreational Trails Program apportionments changed significantly in FY 2009 compared to previous years. See www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/rectrails/recfunds.htm for an explanation.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Announces 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines

The Federal Government issued Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans on October 7, 2008. The Guidelines describe the types and amounts of physical activity that offer substantial health benefits to Americans. See www.health.gov/paguidelines/. The report states: Communities can provide many opportunities for physical activity, such as walking trails, bicycle lanes on roads, sidewalks, and sports fields.

National Recreation Trail Designation Applications

The Department of the Interior's National Recreation Trail (NRT) application deadline is November 1, 2008. Please encourage potential applicants to visit the NRT website: www.americantrails.org/nationalrecreationtrails/ApplyNRT.html to find out more about the application process and to download the application form. Applicants should submit a trail map, digital photos, and both a hard copy and electronic version of the application(s).

• The NRT brochure and poster are available: www.atfiles.org/files/pdf/NRTBrochure.pdf.
• The NRT Home Page has a great new look to make it easier for visitors to find trails and to showcase many featured trails: www.americantrails.org/nationalrecreationtrails/default.htm.
• Enter the NRT Photo Contest! Deadline is December 15, 2008. See www.americantrails.org/nationalrecreationtrails/photocon.html
• Enter the American Trails Website Contest. Deadline is December 15, 2008. There is a category specifically for NRT-related websites. www.americantrails.org/webcon.html

Awards and Anniversaries

The National Trails System is the network of scenic, historic, and recreation trails created by the National Trails System Act of 1968. These trails provide for outdoor recreation needs, promote the enjoyment, appreciation, and preservation of open-air, outdoor areas and historic resources, and encourage public access and citizen involvement. See www.nps.gov/nts/. The National Trails System Act celebrates its 40th Anniversary on October 2, 2008.

• Remarks by Lynn Scarlett, Deputy Secretary of the Interior
• American Trails National Trails System Act article

Training and Resources

Universal Trail Assessment Process and TrailWare Course

A UTAP Coordinator Workshop and TrailWare Training will be offered at the 19th National Trails Symposium on Nov 13-14, 2008. See www.americantrails.org/2008/fwutap.html.

Tax Incentives for Trails and Conservation

Resources are available for tax incentives for trails or other conservation purposes from the Conservation Resource Center. www.taxcreditexchange.com/library.html

Upcoming Conferences

• Trail-related events: American Trails Calendar
• Bicycle and pedestrian events: National Center for Bicycling and Walking Calendar with each CenterLines newsletter.
• Events posted on FHWA's Recreational Trails Program Events
• Events posted on FHWA's Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty Calendar