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News from the Iowa Horse Council

Recreational Trails Program Continues to be Threatened

January 13, 2012

WASHINGTON, (American Horse Council) – The Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program (RTP), which provides funding for recreational trails throughout the country, including those used by equestrians, continues to be threatened.

In November, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee marked up its version of a multi-year national highway transportation bill, called MAP-21. MAP-21 would reauthorize the RTP program; however it would make a major change to the RTP program by removing dedicated funding for the program and consolidating it with several others.

“As currently written this bill would preserve RTP in name only and would effectively end the program that has funded thousands of successful trail projects all over the country,” said AHC Legislative Director Ben Pendergrass. “RTP would be thrown in with a bunch of other programs and states could choose not to spend any money on RTP projects. This defeats the original idea of RTP, which was to return some of the gas taxes paid by recreational off-highway vehicle users to the trail community.”

The current national highway bill SAFETEA-LU that authorizes the RTP program was set to expire in September of 2009. However, because Congress has yet to pass a new highway bill it has been forced to extend the current law several times, most recently until March 2012. MAP-21 must still be debated and approved by the full Senate. The House has yet to introduce its version of a highway bill.

“Every recreational rider needs to be calling and emailing their Senators to let them know how important the RTP program is to them. They need to make sure their Senators understand that RTP must have dedicated funding,” said Pendergrass.

Currently, funding for RTP is provided by taxes on fuel paid into the Highway Trust Fund by users of off-highway recreational vehicles. RTP projects consist of construction, maintenance and restoration of trails and trail related facilities as well as the acquisition of easements or property for trails. Although each state manages its own program, 30% of RTP funds must be spent on non-motorized projects like equestrian trails, 30% on motorized, and 40% percent on multiuse projects. RTP is one of the few sources for federal funding of trail projects that are not on federal land available to equestrians. The program has been a great resource for equestrians to fund projects in their state and local parks.

The AHC, in conjunction with a broad coalition of recreational trail users, is requesting Congress re-authorize the RTP program in its current form in the next highway bill as a separate distinct program with dedicated funding. The AHC urges its member organizations and their membership to contact Congress and voice support for this program and let them know this program is important to the horse community.

IHC receives grant from Pella Rolscreen Foundation

The Iowa Horse Council has received a grant of $100.00 from Pella Rolscreen Foundation’s Volunteer Recognition Program.  Upon completion of 50 or more volunteer hours within the community, a Pella team member may choose an organization to receive his or her grant.  This year Inez De Moss chose the Iowa Horse Council to receive the grant.   

Thank You Inez De Moss!!!! 

Sally Blount, IHC Historian, receives Van Ness award

The American Horse Council’s 2009 Van Ness award, named for the late Marjorie Van Ness, and sponsored by New Jersey Horse Council was presented to Ms. Sally Blount of Iowa at the AHC’s National Issues Forum on Tuesday June 16, 2009 in Washington, D.C. 

Read the American Horse Council's press release by clicking here!

Congratulations Sally!

IHC receives recognition for their continued support