Dear Partner,

The recent passage of a 27-month surface transportation bill "Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century" (MAP-21) will bring dramatic changes to how communities around the country will fund their trail, walking and bicycling projects.

In the coming weeks, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) will hold two free webinars to help advocates, planners, implementers and others navigate the changes made in MAP-21 to the core trails, walking and bicycling programs of the last transportation law: Transportation Enhancements (TE), Safe Routes to School and the Recreational Trails Program. These webinars will feature experts from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), local and/or state transportation agencies and RTC.

Webinar 1: Tuesday, July 17, 1 p.m. EDT: A MAP-21 Survival Guide for Trail, Walking and Bicycling Advocates

This webinar is geared specifically for national, state and local advocates and supporters of trail, walking and bicycling infrastructure as well as other beneficiaries of TE such as historic preservation and environmental interests. The webinar will address questions such as:

• What does the bill say about these activities and how are key provisions likely to be interpreted? 
• How can advocates best ensure trails and other projects will come to fruition? How should we manage the risks and meet the opportunities presented by MAP-21? 
• Secretary LaHood has made walking and biking visible priorities, but the bill presents challenges to this legacy. What will USDOT do to continue making progress?

Panelists:

• Polly Trottenberg, Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy, USDOT
• Kevin Mills, Vice President of Policy and Trail Development, RTC
• David Tyahla, Senior Manager of Government Affairs, National Recreation and Park Association
• Moderated by Marianne Fowler, RTC's Sr. Vice President of Federal Relations

Webinar 2: (Sometime the week of July 30, TBD): Implementing the Transportation Alternatives Provisions of MAP-21

This webinar will address specific issues faced by local and state agencies that are responsible for implementing the new Transportation Alternatives section of MAP-21.

Panelists for this session are still being finalized, but Tracy Hadden Loh, research manager for RTC and director of the National Transportation Enhancement Clearinghouse, is confirmed to address transportation finance issues. We anticipate she will be joined by representatives from a state department of transportation and a local metropolitan planning organization (MPO).

Both webinars will allow ample time for Q & A.

Advanced registration is required. Additionally, please be sure to download the state-specific map of Tier 1 and Tier 2 Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) for your state in advance of the meeting. These will inform your questions and deepen your webinar experience.

Register now to receive details on joining the webinar, and to receive information on the second.

Thank you,

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

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Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
The Duke Ellington Building
2121 Ward Ct., NW
5th Floor
Washington, DC 20037
202.331.9696