We recently received several inquiries asking whether now is the time for byway organizations and stakeholders to alert key Congressional members and your Congressional delegations about how to strengthen the National Scenic Byways Program.

 

Yes, now is the time!

 

The new Congress is in place. Last August, the Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2014 (P.L 113-520) was enacted, extending highway and transportation funding through this May.

 

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee are gathering information to develop transportation reauthorization legislation.

 

We encourage you to write your own legislators and copy the leaders of these two key Congressional Committees. As letters to their Washington offices are irradiated, we suggest you mail your letters to their local offices.

 

What should we ask?

 

We suggest your request be as follows: we request your support to strengthen the byways program by clarifying that Transportation Alternative funds may be used for byways projects. More specifically, Section 213 of Title 23 should add a reference to "Byway projects, as defined in section 162" of Title 23.

 

Where can you find some sample letters?

 

We have up to date information on our website - see http://www.nsbfoundation.com/index.php/resources/action-examples - including:

 

• A sample of the Foundation's recent letters to the four leaders of the two key Congressional Committees.

• The four leaders' contact information and links to the lists of other Committee members.

• A link to find your legislator.

• A Letter Template for you to use in preparing your letter

• Some tips for writing your letter to Congress.

 

The National Scenic Byways Program is a grassroots program, and it will take a grassroots effort to create change. Your help is needed to make it happen!

 

Best regards,

 

Rob Draper

Chair, National Scenic Byway Foundation