U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar said Wednesday that she has secured the continuation of the Recreational Trails Program as part of a larger Surface Transportation bill.
 
The program helps maintain recreational trails for snowmobilers and outdoor enthusiasts in Minnesota and across the country. The program had been cut from the original Surface Transportation legislation, but Klobuchar worked with a bipartisan group of senators to ensure it continued.
 
“Minnesota snowmobilers and countless other outdoor enthusiasts benefit from the use of these trails,” Klobuchar said. “It’s important that we continue this program that helps Minnesotans enjoy the winter months outdoors and benefits our businesses.”
 
The Recreational Trails Program provides funds to the states to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both non-motorized and motorized recreational trail uses.  Klobuchar’s provision would give states the flexibility to opt out of the program.
 
The Recreational Trails Program is administered by the Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and fully funded by fuel taxes paid by motorized trail users. Federal transportation funds benefit outdoor recreation including snowmobiling, all-terrain vehicle riding, hiking, bicycling, in-line skating, equestrian, cross-country skiing, off-road motorcycling, four-wheel driving, and the use of other off-road motorized vehicles.