BILLS TARGET LEADING NATIONAL ROLE FOR ALABAMA RECREATIONAL TRAILS

[weathermansam]

I'm on the board of directors for the Madison Greenways and Trails organization now, working with PR type stuff. This article's something one of the other members sent me. I definitely like the idea.
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MONTGOMERY, AL - Companion bills filed in the Alabama legislature (SB
258, HB 376) would create an Alabama Trails Commission to foster
widespread development and link-up of green and blue-water trails
throughout the state. Focused on health, family, economic and tourism
incentives, the bills call for the proposed commission to coordinate
local needs, goals and leadership in trail design, operation, build-up
and maintenance for hiking, biking, running, horseback riding,
motorized off-highway vehicles, and water sport.

An initiative of the Alabama Recreational Trails Advisory Board
(ARTAB), the plan was moved forward by Senator Wendell Mitchell
(Luverne) and Representative Cam Ward (Alabaster). Both legislators
have long histories in the outdoor recreation communities. An ARTAB
committee chaired by Fairhope City Council member Debbie Quinn led in
the plan's preparation.

"This would be a first for Alabama," said Quinn. "The Commission would
promote and coordinate recreational trail projects across an array of
organizations such as local, regional, state and federal agencies,
trail advocates, business interests, higher education centers and
non-profit organizations." Quinn said a similar program has been
underway in Florida since 1995.

Under the proposed legislation, there would be a twelve member Alabama
Trails Commission. Five state agencies would be members: Alabama
Department of Transportation, Alabama Department of Conservation and
National Resources, Alabama Tourism Department, Alabama Department of
Economic and Community Affairs and the Governor's Office. Other board
members would represent trail users, local government and the business
community.

The legislation also calls for an Alabama Trails Commission Advisory
Board and a tax-deductible non-profit foundation to advance the Trail
Commission's goals by fund raising and supporting recreation in
education.

The Commission would be housed in the Alabama Department of Economic
and Community Affairs (ADECA).

"Alabama's diverse terrain provides some of the most splendid trails
anywhere in the nation, said ADECA Director Doni Ingram. "This
commission will help identify trails in the state and work to promote
them and encourage usage."

CONTACT:
Debbie Quinn
Alabama Recreational Trails Advisory Board
P.O. Box 429 Fairhope, AL 36533
Phone (251) 751-1858 (cell)
debbiequinn@bellsouth.net

[jedbear]

This bill passed through committee last week and is to go to the floor for vote during this session.
I would encourage each of you to contact their legislators to ask that they vote "yes" to this bill.
With the passing of this bill and implementation, recreational trail groups will have a more direct access
to the funding that channels from the Federal agencies through the state. Basically, we will have a sit
at the table!

                       jed

[Bahen]

I talked with Debbie Quinn tonight and she said that the bill has passed through the committee stage in the Senate and should be up for voting at the beginning of next week (or whenever they finish with all the bingo stuff).  This bill has already been passed in the House of Representatives and should it pass in the Senate it will go straight to Bob Riley's desk to sign.  What you can do now to help this along is contact the State Senator of your district and ask them to please vote "Yes" on this bill.  This bill takes no federal or state money away from any branch or organization, but rather sets up an open dialog between all the state agencies responsible for various trails, organizations responsible for trail building and maintance (AHTS, ATA, Alabama Scenic River Trail, etc.), and various other interested parties (Army Corp of Engineers, Alabama Power, etc.).  Please help support this bill!!!

[Bahen]

This is an email from Rob Grant, the Recreational Programs Director of ADECA, who is one of the main people trying to form the Alabama Trails Commission.  The bill was supposed to be voted on today but did not make it to the floor.  He is asking for all the help he can to try and get this thing out in front of the Senate and passed.  So, if you know any of the Senator's he mentioned or live in their district, please email them and let them know how important this bill is to the natural heritage and recreation of our state!!

Subject: NO JOY - CONTACT YOUR SENATOR!

I am unhappy to report that HB376, the Trails Commission Bill, was not included on today?s Senate Special Order Calendar, and was not brought up for a floor vote.
 
Please contact your state senator and tell her/him of the importance of HB376, and that you want him to do everything within her/his power to see that this bill gets to the Senate floor for final passage. The legislature only has 8 working days left in this session!
 
The Special Order Calendar is prepared by the Senate Rules Committee. A list of the committee members are below. If you know any of these Senators, please urge them to place HB376 on the Special Order Calendar and keep it there until it is passed!
 
If you need more information about the members of the Senate, please visit http://www.legislature.st...s/senateroster_alpha.html.
 
SENATE RULES COMMITTEE:
Barron, Chairperson; Little (Z) , Deputy Chairperson; Little (T), Vice Chairperson; Bedford, Butler, Denton, Figures, French, Mitchem, Ross, Smith, Smitherman; Majority Leader, Bishop, Minority Leader Designee.
 
 I have also attached some information about the Trails Commission.
 
Thanks for your help, and DON?T GIVE UP!
 
Rob