Congress Approves Alternative Transportation Program for National Parks

[Dover]

WASHINGTON, July 29 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) today praised the passage of the Transit in Parks Act, which authorizes approximately $24 million annually for six years to develop new and expanded mass transit services, pedestrian walkways, and bike paths within and near the national parks and other public lands.

"Congressman Rahall and Senator Sarbanes are champions for our national parks and for the 300 million people who visit annually," said NPCA Vice President for Government Affairs Craig Obey. "Thanks to their leadership, the National Park Service can afford to bring relief to parks and visitors suffering from traffic congestion and choking on fumes."

Led by Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes (D-Md.) and Rep. Nick Rahall (D-3-W.Va.), the Transit in Parks Act provides an average of $24 million annually starting in 2006 for national parks and public lands to adopt shuttle bus transportation systems or even pedestrian walkways, bike paths, and waterborne access. The Park Service currently allocates, on average, $8.5 million annually for alternative transportation programs from a meager $165-million construction and road maintenance budget funded by the Federal Lands Highway Program....>>

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=51133

[AlinPA]

1. ..and the Rpigs voted for this? What's the catch? n/t

[Orsino]

2. Getting to knock down some trees in nat'l parks...

...and hand out sweetheart deals to contributors. The usual.

[krkaufman]

4. I expect the ROG will use the new law....

... to build more logging roads.

[Vogon_Glory]

3. The Catch: The Puglies Are Cutting Rail Service

The catch is that Republicans are voting to cut funding to those long-distance Amtrak trains that actually do serve those National Parks--at least the ones out west.