(From the Rails-to-Trails website:):
RTC Protects Hundreds of Millions of Dollars in Trail Funding
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) has scored a major victory, protecting what could amount to hundreds of millions of dollars of funding for trails, walking and biking. Working with members of Congress, RTC once again successfully defended transportation enhancements (TE)—the nation's largest funding source for bicycle, pedestrian and trail programs—against unfair, targeted cuts.
On Thursday, March 6, 2008, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) ordered states to return $3.15 billion in transportation funds. Such "rescission" orders have historically resulted in disproportionate attacks on TE. This rescission, however, was different.
In June 2007, RTC worked diligently with Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.) and other supporters to pass legislation* protecting TE from disproportionate future cuts. By helping to develop and advocate for the policy, and supporting it with legal analysis, RTC assisted Rep. Oberstar's work, and an amendment ensuring proportionality passed. As a result of this powerful 2007 decision, the USDOT is now legally required to limit the amount each state can cut from its TE program.
Had states been able to cut TE in this rescission order at a rate similar to those in recent years, TE could have lost two to three times as much in funding. Given the provision that cuts must be fair and balanced across programs, TE should now lose less than $100 million—saving $100 to $200 million nationally to spend on rail-trails, bicycling and other valuable projects.
FEWER AMERICANS GET OUTDOORS. Bryn Mawr ecologist Patricia Zaradic and Oliver Pergams, a University of Illinois conservation geneticist, recently published a study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences concluding that fewer Americans are participating in outdoor activities, including hiking. (Lawrence Journal-World, 3-01-08). For example, visits to national parks peaked in 1987, despite population growth since then. According to the study, participation in outdoor activities has declined 18-25% from two decades ago. The researchers claim the reason for the decline is “videophilia”—watching TV, computer screens, etc. instead of enjoying the great outdoors. “There’s this whole other body of research that indicates it’s time spent in nature, especially as a child, that leads to environmental sensitivity as an adult,” said Zaradic. People are less inclined to support outdoor recreational facilities and protection of the environment such as national parks and wilderness areas.
LAWRENCE IS 38TH MOST WALKABLE CITY. Lawrence is the 38th most walkable community in the US and first in Kansas according to a study by Prevention magazine and the American Podiatric Medical Association (LJW 3-19-08). Manhattan ranked second in the Sunflower State. Wichita and Salina ranked among the 25 least walkable cities in the entire nation. A panel of walking experts who are primarily urban planners, ranked 500 communities in America.