Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber,

This may seem unbelievable to you, but at a time when recreational trail use is increasing in popularity with tens of millions of Americans, Congress is considering major reductions in the budget for trail maintenance on National Forests.

The Bush Administration's proposed budget would reduce Trails funding for the Forest Service by 19.4% for a total decrease of $14.5 million. Recreation funding would be cut by 4% for a decrease of $10 million.

What you need to do:
BRC needs you to contact your House and Senate representatives and let them know that you want funding for National Forest Recreation and Trails programs restored.

BRC has made it easy for you to send your representatives an email. Click the link below to go to our Rapid Response Center.

Click here: http://www.sharetrails.org/alertlist/redirect.cfm?ID=227&MID=95&LID=2 - http://capwiz.com/share/issues/alert/?alertid=8609761&ty pe=CO

Please consider taking just a few minutes to call your Congressman and both your Senators today.

Simply click the link http://www.sharetrails.org/alertlist/redirect.cfm?ID=228&MID=95&LID=2 - http://capwiz.com/share/home/

Enter your zip code where it says "Elected Officials" to find the contact information for your House and Senate representatives. Take just a few minutes to contact your representative about the cuts in the FS Trail program budget. Use the comment suggestions below.

Thank you in advance,
Brian Hawthorne
Public Lands Director
BlueRibbon Coalition

Tips for calls regarding Forest Service Trails budget cuts:

Be brief. Be polite.

Tell the staff that you are calling about the proposed cuts for the National Forest Recreation and Trails programs.

Tell the staff that you are concerned that the Administration's budget calls for a 19.4% cut in Trails budget. Tell them you oppose those cuts.

Tell the staff caring for our National Forests and making them accessible to all Americans is a high priority for you and your family.

Ask your representative to reject any attempts to cut the Forest Service Trails and Recreation programs.

Ask your representative to restore the National Forest Recreation and Trails programs to a level equal to that which the Congress appropriated in FY 2006