>>>"Erin McHugh" <emchugh@funoutdoors.com> Friday, December 05, 2003
9:37:04 AM >>>
Dear Byway Friends:
The Conference Report on H.R.2673, the Consolidated Appropriations Act
for 2004, has now been released, providing details on appropriations for
the Department of Transportation and the National Scenic Byways Program.
HR 2673 is expected to be adopted without amendments either early next week
or in January 2004. Despite our collective efforts, nearly half of the total
byways program money ($27.5 million) has been earmarked for specific state
programs and projects ($13,250,000). The House of Representatives had originally
earmarked all of the byways money, while the Senate had no earmarks. The
conferees compromised, reducing the House earmarks by half. More importantly,
this means is there has been earmarking of byways funds for three straight
years and there is actually less money available for grants this year than
in any of the first three years under TEA 21. That is definitely NOT the
right direction for this program. Attached is a list of the earmarked projects
included in H.R.2673.
So, where do we go from here? Reauthorization of the nation's surface transportation programs is now actively underway. This important legislation will direct highway spending for the next 6 years, and the byways community can and must help shape provisions affecting the National Scenic Byways Program. The Administration, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committees have each developed drafts of this legislation, and each proposes different levels of funding for scenic byways. DOT's SAFETEA proposal asks for $31.5M per year for a total of $189M. The Senate's draft (S. 1072) calls for $34M increasing to $39M and a total of $220M over six years. The House version (HR 3550) proposes $35M increasing to $110M for an impressive total of $435M for six years (see accompanying chart).
We fully support this trend toward higher funding. But the Scenic Byways Coalition wants to accomplish more than just increased funding. We are working on strategies that would protect byways grant money against earmarking, develop a system for identifying national priority projects and ensure the continuation of America's Byways Resources Center.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: The byways community must have both national advocates and an active grassroots constituency to succeed. If your byway is important to you, please (1) take action yourself; and (2) pass this message along to others in your byway organization. We suggest that you write to your local Congressman and the Senators that represent your state, as well as the Congressional leadership on this issue. Names and fax numbers for key contacts are attached. A sample letter can be found below. Key points to address in your letters and communications on reauthorization can be found in the attached document. Please fax or e-mail your letters to Congress, and fax or e-mail a copy to us - do not mail your letters.
We look forward to assisting your efforts in any way we can, and hope you will take the time to make your voice heard. All the documents can be found at http://www.funoutdoors.com/byways.
Sincerely,
Derrick A. Crandall
President
American Recreation Coalition
1225 New York Ave, NW, Suite 450
Washington, DC 20005
202-682-9530, FAX 202-682-9529
arc@funoutdoors.com
| Amount | Project |
| $60,000 | City of Espanola El Camino Real Scenic Byway alignment, New Mexico |
| $800,000 | Enhancements to Route 6A Scenic Byway, Cape and Islands Rural Roads Initiative, Massachusetts |
| $890,000 | Flagler County Scenic and Historic A1A, Florida |
| $75,000 | Idaho National Scenic Byways |
| $1,000,000 | Kentucky Scenic Byways |
| $1,000,000 | Mason Creek Greenway, Virginia |
| $2,000,000 | New York State Scenic Byways Statewide project |
| $100,000 | Pioneer Historic Byway Interpretive Site Development, Idaho |
| $600,000 | Snoqualmie Point View Park, Washington |
| $4,000,000 | US 78 Bamberg Scenic Highway Project, South Carolina |
| $1,285,000 | Welcome Center off SR 410, Washington |
| $440,000 | Woodward Avenue--Developing the Byway Story, Michigan |
| $1,000,000 | Amherst County Greenway, Virginia |
| $13,250,000 | Total earmarked |
| Topic | Byways Coalition Recommendation |
Administration Proposal (SAFETEA) |
Senate (S. 1072) (SAFETEA) |
House (HR 3550)(TEA-LU) |
| Overall $ | $247 billion/6 years | $311-325 billion/6 years | $375 billion/6 years | |
| Funding | “A substantial increase” – ARC suggests $57 million for 2004 and growth thereafter to a funding level of $82 for FY 2009 |
$31.5M per year for a total of $189M | $34M increasing to $39M and a total of $220M over six years | $35M increasing to $110M for a total of $435M for six years |
Earmarking “Poison Pill” |
Any earmarked funds should be counted as a portion of any Minimum Allocation payments to a state, while merit-based awards should be excluded from this computation |
No provision | No provision | No provision |
| Research, technical assistance |
America’s Byways Resources Center, created under TEA-21 to provide technical assistance to designated byways and state byways programs, should be reauthorized and appropriately funded |
Section 1605(b) Clarifies Secretary authority to use program funds for these purposes. No limit. Mentions byways resource center in Duluth, MN | Similar provision included in Section 1604(b). No reference to byways resource center |
Uncertain – no clear reference |
| Advisory committee |
A National Scenic Byways Advisory Council should be established in FY05 to develop recommendations regarding the future of the program. Recommendations should be submitted to the Secretary of Transportation and the Congress |
No provision | No provision | No provision |
| Marketing effort |
National scenic byways marketing program should be established by the Federal Highway Administration, based upon the recreational boating and fishing outreach program administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
Section 1605(a) recognition of America’s Byways as umbrella for promoting National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads | Similar provision included in Section 1604(a) |
No provision |
| Link to other federal scenic byway programs |
(1) FHWA should provide technical assistance and other support to federal land management agencies with scenic byways programs and (2) that these federal agencies be eligible for direct, merit based grants for byways projects |
No provision | No provision | No provision |
| Future designations |
National designation of All- American Roads and national scenic byways should continue on a 12- to 18-month cycle through FY 2009 |
No provision | No provision | No provision |
ARC: December 2, 2003
REAUTHORIZATION CONTACTS
U.S. House of Representatives
Address for all: U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable Don Young
Chairman, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
Fax 202-225-0425
don.young@mail.house.gov
The Honorable James Oberstar
Ranking Minority Member
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
Fax 202-225-0699
The Honorable Thomas E. Petri
Chairman, Highways, Transit and Pipelines Subcommittee
Fax 202-225-2356
The Honorable William O. Lipinski
Ranking Minority Member
House Subcommittee on Highways, Transit and Pipelines
United States Senate
Address for all: United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
The Hon. James M. Inhofe, Chairman
Senate Environment and Public Works Committee
Fax 202-202-228-0380
The Hon. James Jeffords
Ranking Member
Senate Environment and Public Works Committee
Fax 202-228-0776
The Hon. John Warner
Chairman, Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Fax 202-224-6295
The Hon. Harry Reid
Ranking Minority, Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure
202-224-7327
KEY POINTS FOR COMMUNICATIONS ABOUT REAUTHORIZATION:
The nation now has a system of nearly one hundred national scenic byways
and All-American Roads. These routes play a wonderful role in telling our
nation's stories to millions of travelers each year. We ask for several
important revisions to the byways program:
1) The National Scenic Byways Program includes a small, merit-based grant
program designed to create replicable examples of top scenic byways projects,
with lessons learned used in projects funded under other surface transportation
funding. Qualifying applications for these grants greatly exceed available
funds of some $25 million annually. We recommend a significant increase
in funding for these grants. We also wish to see the grant program modified
to include development of national priorities which would be reflected in
grant awards.
2) We are very disturbed that a substantial portion of the available scenic
byways funding was earmarked in the appropriations process for specific
projects for FY02, FY03 and FY04. We believe that any earmarked funds should
be counted as a portion of any Minimum Allocation payments to a state, while
merit-based awards should continue to be excluded from this computation.
3) The America's Byways Resources Center, created under TEA-21 to provide
technical assistance to designated byways and state byways programs, has
provided invaluable support and should be specifically reauthorized and
appropriately funded, as under TEA-21, with funding supplemental the grant
program moneys.
4) National designation of All-American Roads and national scenic byways
should continue on a 12- to 24-month cycle through FY 2009.
5) Several federal land-management agencies have byways programs. We believe
that these routes are vital components of a national scenic byways program
and recommend: (a) that FHWA provide technical assistance and other support
to these programs and (b) that these federal agencies be eligible for direct,
merit-based grants for byways projects.
6) A national scenic byways marketing program should be established by the
Federal Highway Administration, based upon the recreational boating and
fishing outreach program administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
7) A new scenic byways advisory committee should be created to oversee the
development of national priorities for the byway program, including grant
moneys, and to recommend to the Secretary criteria and processes for the
grant program.
December 20003
The Honorable Don Young, Chairman
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Chairman Young:
In December 1991, legislation creating the National Scenic Byways Program was enacted. The (name of byway) was designated in (year), and is one of nearly one hundred national scenic byways and All-American Roads specially chosen under this program. These routes play a wonderful role in telling our nation’s stories to millions of travelers each year. We are delighted that the Administration has proposed continuation and expansion of the National Scenic Byways Program in its legislative proposal labeled SAFETEA, and we applaud the efforts of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to do the same as the nation’s surface transportation programs are reauthorized.
We ask for several important revisions to the reauthorization proposals now under consideration regarding byways:
1) The National Scenic Byways Program includes a small, merit-based grant program designed to create replicable examples of top scenic byways projects, with lessons learned used in projects funded under other surface transportation funding. Qualifying applications for these grants greatly exceed available funds of some $25 million annually. We recommend a significant increase in funding for these grants. We also wish to see the grant program modified to include development of national priorities which would be reflected in grant awards.
2) In FY 2002, for the first time, a substantial portion of the available scenic byways funding was earmarked in the appropriations process for specific projects, including some projects which may not have qualified under the program guidelines. A similar earmarking process limited FY 2003 funding for awards on a merit basis. We believe that any earmarked funds should be counted as a portion of any Minimum Allocation payments to a state, while merit-based awards should continue to be excluded from this computation.
3) The America’s Byways Resources Center, created under TEA-21 to provide technical assistance to designated byways and state byways programs, has provided invaluable support and should be specifically reauthorized and appropriately funded, as under TEA-21, with funding supplemental the grant program moneys.
4) National designation of All-American Roads and national scenic byways should continue on a 12- to 24-month cycle through FY 2009.
5) Several federal land-management agencies have byways programs. We believe that these routes are vital components of a national scenic byways program and recommend: (a) that FHWA provide technical assistance and other support to these programs and (b) that these federal agencies be eligible for
direct, merit-based grants for byways projects.
6) A national scenic byways marketing program should be established by the Federal Highway Administration, based upon the recreational boating and fishing outreach program administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
7) A new scenic byways advisory committee should be created to oversee the development of national priorities for the byway program, including grant moneys, and to recommend to the Secretary criteria and processes for the grant program.
With your support and assistance, the National Scenic Byways Program will continue to serve the nation well, helping Americans understand our history and our land better and providing an important new source of pride and economic vitality to thousands of communities. Information on currrently-designated byways – including those in your state – is available at www.byways.org. Thank you for your interest and support.
Sincerely,
(your name)
(organization)