Trail Projects Await Promised Dollars

Each year, hundreds of thousands of hikers venture onto backcountry trails in Washington state that are maintained with funds from a little known federal program. And, thanks to that same federal program, thousands of volunteers pitch in to help with this trail maintenance. Bridges are built, downed trees cleared, and drainage structures installed so that hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians can enjoy backcountry wild lands.

That little-known program is the National Recreation Trails Program (NRTP), and despite its lack of notoriety, its dollars are necessary fuel for keeping hundreds of miles of trail accessible and passable after winter weather and harsh storms. And right now, the spigot of the NRTP cash flow has dried up, due to an unexplained holdup at the Department of Transportation, as well as a change in Congressional funding.

“Right now, it’s a waiting game,” said Diane Bedell, Trail Programs Director with Washington Trails Association (WTA). The organization’s key volunteer programs, including WTA’s day trips and popular Volunteer Vacations, are in jeopardy for 2010 if NRTP grants are not paid out. In 2009, WTA used NRTP funds to pay and train experienced crew leaders, scope trail projects, recruit volunteers, coordinate logistics for work parties, pack in gear for Volunteer Vacations using stock, and other key support for volunteers.

“Our trail maintenance program is dependent on these funds,” said Bedell.

“WTA’s trail maintenance program plays a critical role on Washington’s public lands as volunteers with an appreciation for the outdoors tend to our hiking trails, picking up slack left by years of budget shortfalls.” said Bedell. “Our volunteers donated over 89,000 hours of work on trails in 2009. Federal grants from NRTP make those hours possible.”

Each year, Washington state receives about $1.8 million from NRTP—dollars that fund critical maintenance programs by the Forest Service and non-profit volunteer organizations like Washington Trails Association, the Backcountry Horsemen of Washington and the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust.

NRTP is funded through the federal transportation budget with gas tax money derived from recreation activities. However, despite Congress’ commitment in August to extend NRTP, funds have been trickling into the states very slowly—too slowly, in fact, to fund any of the many great projects that have been awarded grants this year.

Each state has its own advisory committee that each year ranks grants submitted to NRTP based on a set of established criteria. That list is then recommended to the US Department of Transportation, which accepts or modifies the list.

“In a typical year, grantees have received their funding for approved projects by now,” said Jonathan Guzzo, WTA Advocacy Director. “This year, the US Department of Transportation has not formally approved the list of grants submitted from Washington state, and as a result, organizations and agencies like WTA are faced with the prospect of going without critical funds to maintain trails, build bridges, and prepare for the summer recreation season.”

Another roadblock stands in the way. This year, Congress has opted to trickle out NRTP dollars month-to-month through a series of continuing resolutions rather than paying out the funds in a lump sum. That means that the state agency that disperses the funds, the Washington Recreation and Conservation Office, will not be able to pay out large grants until sufficient funds accumulate.

Among the dozens of projects chosen by the Washington state ranking committee are:

• Washington Trails Association’s 2010 Day Trips and Volunteer Vacations projects: $150,000
• West Fork Foss Trail Repairs: $75,000 (Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest)
• Methow Valley Trail Maintenance: $75,000 (Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest)

“The volunteer-driven nature of many of the grant recipients allows the federal government to leverage NRTP dollars many times over, since we can deliver an hour of trail maintenance for a fraction of the cost associated with contractors.” Guzzo said.

“Without NRTP funding, hikers can expect to encounter more damaged bridges, blocked drainages and deteriorating trails. The nearly two million dollars provided to Washington state by NRTP each year is an essential component of keeping our trails maintained.”

WTA is encouraging hikers to contact members of Washington state’s Congressional delegation who have stood up for trails in the past, asking them to assist in moving DOT towards approving the recommended projects and speeding up the payout of grant dollars.

“Trails have great friends in Washington’s delegation, and we are hopeful,” Guzzo said. “Senator Patty Murray has stepped up to the plate for hikers every time we’ve faced an emergency, and we need her again. Senator Murray sits on the Transportation Committee and can use her considerable power and expertise to make sure NRTP dollars flow to the grants for which they were intended.”