REAUTHORIZATION UPDATE: When do we get more RTP money?
For Surface Transportation Program Reauthorization updates, see www.fhwa.dot.gov/reauthorization/index.htm. The timing and the dollars are under consideration by the Congress right now. Latest rumour is that we will probably have another extension (hopefully this week!) perhaps for one or two months.
GREAT OUTDOORS MONTH
Get Active, Get Outdoors! is the theme for Great Outdoors Month 2005. It is about 6 weeks long this year, and begins this weekend! For more information, see www.greatoutdoorsmonth.org.
STATE TRAIL ADMINISTRATORS MEETING
Susan Moerschel needs the registration information to plan transportation from the hotel to the meeting and workshop sites. The registration responses will go to Susan via email.
TRAIL ACCESSIBILITY WORKSHOP AT STAM 2005, September 22, 2005
FHWA SPONSORED MEETINGS for TE and RTP
To the attention of Division Administrators, Resource Center Directors, and Federal Lands Highway Division Engineers. The purpose of this message is to transmit two memorandums encouraging attendance at two upcoming meetings:
The memorandums provide details on both meetings for FHWA Division office staff with Transportation Enhancement or Recreational Trails Program and for their State counterparts. Please remember: in most States, the State Trail Administrator is in a State resource agency rather than the State DOT.
We have found that encouragement by the division offices is very helpful in increasing the number of individuals able to participate. We appreciate your assistance in providing this encouragement.
If you have questions about these meetings or need a copy of the memorandums, please contact Christopher Douwes, Trails and Enhancements Program Manager, at christopher.douwes@dot.gov or 202-366-5013.
STATE TRAIL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS
It's getting toward the time of year for the annual Inquisition to make sure States have had their State Trail Advisory Committee meetings in FY 2005 to be eligible for RTP apportionments in FY 2006. Colorado, Florida, and North Dakota sent documentation already (without me asking: THANK YOU!). I would be happy to receive documentation from everybody else without more nagging. All I need is evidence that the State Trail Advisory Committee met: the best evidence is an email copy of the minutes. I only need a copy of the Governor's designation letter if there was a change in the past year. I don't need additional attachments. I only need an email version: mailed copies get irradiated, take one to three weeks to deliver, and are all crinkly and feel weird.
Please do NOT delay having a meeting waiting for Reauthorization!!! You MUST have a meeting before September 30, 2005, or you are not eligible for FY 2006 funding. There is still a chance reauthorization won't take effect until after September 30. Having your meeting sooner makes planning easier for all of us.
SOUTHEASTERN STATES: Given this year's Hurricane prognostications, please schedule your meetings well before Hurricane season gets going strong. Last year, some of you almost had problems.
HEPGIS WEBSITE AVAILABLE [HEP is the FHWA Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty]
The HEPGIS interactive web-based geographic information system (GIS) has recently been upgraded and is now accessible as a public website. The URL for the website is http://hepgis.fhwa.dot.gov/hepgismaps17/.
The HEPGIS web site is intended to provide users who don't have their own desktop GIS software with access to transportation-related geospatial data using only their web browser. The web site includes simple navigation tools that enable users to locate a specific geographic area of interest, and to create a map showing various geographic features and themes (e.g., income by Census Tract). Users can also obtain specific information about a feature, and can print or save an electronic copy of the map they create.
Current geospatial databases include: highways, airports, railroads, intermodal terminals, metropolitan planning areas, urban and urbanized areas, federal lands, air quality nonattainment areas, FHWA and State DOT offices, and selected Census geography.
Please visit and experiment with the HEPGIS web site yourself, and tell your contacts at State DOTs and MPOs about it. If you have any problems with accessing the web site, or if you have suggestions for additional enhancements, including new applications, additional thematic maps, or user functions, please feel free to e-mail me at bruce.spear@fhwa.dot.gov.
Bruce D. Spear, Travel Model & GIS Specialist 202-366-8870, Fax: 202-493-2198
SNOWMOBILE REPORTS DUE - IASA Reports
I am working on putting together the delegates packages for the IASA Meetings. Currently I have received reports from the following states: Montana, Oregon & Vermont. If you have a state report to submit, please send it to me directly at nbfsc@nb.aibn.com.
Thanks, Lisa MacDougall - NBFSC
SNOWMOBILE SURVEY
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SNOWMOBILE ADMINISTRATORS - IASA
TO: All State, Province, and Territory Snowmobile Program Administrators
FROM: Ron Purchase, IASA Finance Committee Chair
SUBJECT: Data Collection for the 2004/2005 IASA Snowmobile Program Finance Survey
Each year, the IASA Finance Committee compiles a report which details the various revenue streams used by States, Provinces, and Territories to deliver their respective snowmobile programs during the latest season. This important resource presents the "big picture" of how snowmobile programs are funded across North America. To be of value, it needs to be complete and accurate. That's where you come in!
In order to prepare the report, we need each State, Province and Territory Snowmobile Program Administrator to provide the base data in a consistent format. Please assist us in this important project by completing this survey by Wednesday May 25, 2005. If you are not the person best able to complete the survey, please pass this email along to the person who is.
First, my sincere thanks to the following jurisdictions who completed the IASA Snowmobile Program Finance Survey on or before yesterday's deadline: Alberta, British Columbia, Illinois, Idaho, Manitoba, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New York, Newfoundland and Labrador, North Dakota, Ontario, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Sweden, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Yukon.
The following jurisdictions completed surveys last year, but have not responded this year: Nova Scotia, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, California, Colorado, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Ohio, Oregon, Utah. It would also be good to add the following: Alaska, Arizona, Connecticut, Iowa, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Virginia, North West Territory, and Nunavut.
We've tried to make the data collection process as easy as possible. Like last year, data entry will be collected on-line using an internet survey site. Below are the questions that data is required for. If final data is not available for the 2004/2005 snowmobile season, then good estimates are much better than no response at all! When you are ready, simply go to the following web site and type in your response to each question as prompted: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=352621034118
The completed report will be presented for approval at the upcoming IASA meeting in June and will be emailed to you shortly after that. Also included after the financial survey are several questions on registration and trail use permit locations which the IASA Enforcement Committee asked to be included in the survey this year.
SURVEY QUESTIONS FOR REFERENCE:
IASA Finance Committee Questions-
1a) State/Province:
Identify the State, Province or Territory for which this data applies.
1b) Respondent:
The name and title of the person completing the report.
2a) Trail Miles (or Kms):
The total number of trail miles or kilometers (one way) funded by the revenue reported in this survey.
3a) RTP and Other Federal Grants:
A description of Recreational Trail Program or other Federal Programs received during the season.
3b) RTP and Other Federal Grant Revenue .
The total annual revenue from RTP or other Federal Programs received during the season.
4a) Vehicle Registration Fee:
The cost of registering each snowmobile with the state/province. Include resident and non-resident rates. Identify how many years registration covers.
4b) Annual Registration Revenue.
The total annual revenue from vehicle registrations applied to the snowmobile trail program.
5a) Gas Tax Formula.
The formula used to determine how much gas tax revenue will be applied to the snowmobile trail program.
5b) Annual Gas Tax Revenue.
The total annual revenue from gas tax applied to the snowmobile trail program.
6a) Other Tax Based Revenues.
A description of other tax based revenues applied to the snowmobile trail program.
6b) Annual Other Tax Based Revenue.
The total annual revenue from other tax based sources applied to the snowmobile program.
7a) Annual Trail Use Permits.
The types of trail use passes available as well as the cost and the total number of each type sold.
7b) Annual Permit Revenue.
The total annual revenue from trail use permits applied to the snowmobile program.
8a) Other Revenues Sources.
Other significant sources of revenue applied to the snowmobile program. Include sponsorship and fundraising activities.
8b) Annual Revenue from Other Sources.
The total annual revenue from other sources applied to the snowmobile program.
9a) TOTAL ANNUAL REVENUE.
The total annual revenue applied to the snowmobile trail program. Should equal the total of 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b & 8b.
IASA Trails Committee Questions -
10a) Does your state/province/territory require that proof of vehicle registration be displayed on individual snowmobiles?
Yes/No, (if No skip to 11a)
10b) What is the number of decals/plates that are issued/required per snowmobile?
10c) Describe the physical make-up of the registration decal/plate. (Size, Material, etc)
10d) Describe the location's) on individual snowmobiles that the registration decal/plate is required to be displayed.
11a) Does your state/province/territory have a mandatory or voluntary trail use fee separate from registration?
Yes/No, (if No skip to end)
11b) What is the number of trail use decals/stickers that are issued/required per snowmobile?
11c) Describe the physical make-up of the trail use decal/sticker. (Size, Material, etc.)
11d) Describe the locations on an individual snowmobile that the trail use decal/sticker is required to be displayed.
When you're ready to enter your information, please go to this web site: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=352621034118
THANK YOU!
RAIL-TRAIL DESIGN AWARDS
Does your trail have an award-winning design? The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and the American Society of Landscape Architects are proud to present the second Rail-Trail Design Recognition Awards. The awards will be presented at a ceremony during TrailLink 2005, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's international trails and greenways conference. Winners will also have the opportunity to present their designs at a conference session. The submission deadline is June 1, 2005, and trail designers are encouraged to submit their creative and innovative designs.
PATHWAYS NEWSLETTER
Pathways is the newsletter of the Partnership for the National Trails System, primarily focused on National Scenic Trails and National Historic Trails. In theory, all FHWA and State RTP contacts should receive a copy. If not, contact me (Christopher Douwes: christopher.douwes@dot.gov).
-----Original Message-----
From: Steve_Elkinton@nps.gov
Subject: Pathways Article
This month I am playing Pathways editor while Gary organizes the Las Vegas conference.
Christine T. gave me a list of articles to solicit and craft under the theme "The Ecological Significance of Trails." In addition, she would like an update on surface transportation funding: what the prospects at this point look like for continued funding of RTP, Enhancements, etc.
Is this something you could whip up in the next week or so? She wanted everything in by June 1, but that will be tough. June 10 is a more realistic deadline. Maybe you can paste together something from one of your e-mails or an agency status report on the legislative process.
Anyway, whatever you can craft, please send to me by then, or better yet, directly to Christine at christine@iceagetrail.org.
Many thanks!
Steve Elkinton, Program Leader, National Trails System Program, National Park Service
Phone: 202-354-6938; Fax: 202-371-5179
REAUTHORIZATION UPDATE: When do we get more RTP money?
For Surface Transportation Program Reauthorization updates, see www.fhwa.dot.gov/reauthorization/. The timing and the dollars are under consideration by the Congress right now.
RAILS-WITH-TRAILS REPORT MAILED, now on FHWA Website in HTML and PDF.
We sent 2 copies of Rails-with-Trails: Lessons Learned to each FHWA division. (We also sent a copy to each State RTP administrator, State TE manager, and State bicycle and pedestrian coordinator).
This report is available online at www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/recreational_trails/publications/rwt. We posted access to a cleaned up PDF version at www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/recreational_trails/publications/rwt/toc.cfm. Additional printed copies are available through the FHWA Report Center. See www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/recreational_trails/publications/ for the order form, or send a fax to 301-577-1421 and request publication FTA-MA-26-0052-041.
BLM's Draft National Scenic and Historic Trails Stragegy and Work Plan for Review
From Deb Salt, US Bureau of Land Management National Trails Coordinator
Sent: Friday, April 29, 2005 7:23 PM
Trail Colleagues and Constituents:
Since the passage of the National Trails System Act in 1968, the United States Congress has designated twenty-three National Scenic and Historic Trails. Twelve of these trails cross public lands administered by the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM). For the first time, the BLM is taking a closer look at how it will manage these trails by developing a National Scenic and Historic Trails Strategy and Work Plan. In the spirit of citizen participation embodied in the in the National Trails System Act, the agency is making the draft plan available for comment until July 1, 2005. This is an opportunity for the public, groups, stakeholders, industry, and other government agencies to lend insight into this process and assist BLM in setting the stage for managing this program now and in the future. Thank you in advance for sharing this press release and draft document with your colleagues and/or constituents, and for your interest in improving this program.
ON-LINE OHV RECREATION MANAGEMENT COURSE BEGINS MAY 16
Students can enroll right up to first day of class; no campus meetings required.
Marshall University (West Virginia) is only weeks away from starting the first of their four-course, on-line off-highway vehicle recreation classes. This course, PLS 450E/550E, Introduction to Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation, is a 12-week course that will begin May 16, 2005, and end August 10, 2005. This offering is an electronic course available completely on-line. No campus meetings are required.
As for the other three courses, PLS 451E/551E Planning and Design of OHV Trail Systems is anticipated to be offered in the Fall 2005 schedule as an on-line course, while PLS 452E/552E Construction of OHV Trail Systems and PLS 453E/553E Operation and Management of OHV Trail Systems may skip a few semesters before they're ready as distance-learning courses.
This series of OHV courses was developed through the collaborative efforts of the Park Resources and Leisure Services program at Marshall University, the Nick J. Rahall, II Appalachian Transportation Institute, and the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC).
Individuals may enroll in the course for undergraduate credit (PLS 450E) or graduate credit (PLS 550E). Marshall University welcomes all eligible students. Prospective students must be admitted to Marshall University to be eligible for course enrollment. Registration begins April 4, 2005. Complete admission and enrollment information is available at the following web site: www.marshall.edu/muonline.
The course designation is PLS 450E/550E Introduction to Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation and the term designation is Summer 2005, Session B, (Term 1).
For further information contact:
Dr. Raymond L. Busbee
304.696-2922
Busbee@marshall.edu
To contact the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) log on to www.nohvcc.org or call (800) 348-6487.
WYOMING STATE TRAILS PROGRAM MANAGER
If you want a job with the State of Wyoming, see http://statejobs.state.wy.us/JobSearchDetail.aspx?ID=8276. Administers statewide Trails Program, which includes Snowmobile Trails Program funded by the Snowmobile Registration and User Fee Program, Off-Road Recreational Vehicle (ORV) Program funded by the ORV Registration Program, and Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Grant Program.
