Transportation will continue to be an important advocacy issue in 2013 for park and recreation agencies and professionals.  The New Year brings implementation of a new federal law (MAP-21) as well as a “new Congress."

To keep you ahead of the curve on these issues, we’re sharing some insights on transportation.

By now, you should be aware of the major changes impacting walking and biking and parks and recreation under MAP-21. Previously dedicated funding under the Transportation Enhancements (TE) and Safe Routes to School has now been replaced with a much broader category of eligible projects under the Transportation Alternative Program (TAP). Trails and walking/biking safety projects remain eligible, but now must compete for significantly less dollars with other road projects.

This competition isn’t simply at the state level, either.  MAP-21 gives Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) more responsibility for distributing federal transportation funds.  MPOs serving areas with more than 200,000 residents are required to use a competitive process to select projects for funding through the Transportation Alternatives Program. 

What’s to come with the New T&I Committee

The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee (T&I) is starting the year with a new Chairman (Bill Shuster of PA) and new members on both the majority and minority side. In a Roll Call column the new committee chair shared his outlook for the new Congress stating that the committee is focused on strengthening America’s national transportation network. He also said that “the committee will pursue an aggressive oversight agenda,” and that “Oversight of the recently enacted MAP-21 will be critical…” 

NRPA’s Public Policy staff is actively engaged in meeting with new House and Senate member offices.  The new Congress was sworn in on January 3 and most Members are just now selecting staff to handle their committee assignments, but we’re making sure that they know NRPA has important issues before the T&I Committee, including walking and biking policy. 

What are you views on the new MAP-21 and implications on park and recreation agencies?  What do you want to let your Senators and Representatives know about the role parks and recreation has in transportation?

Learn more about federal policy and legislative issues impacting parks and recreation.

Dave Tyahla is NRPA's Senior Government Affairs Manager.