Creative Fab
February 18th, 2005, 11:31 PM
ARRA's Washington Newsletter
February, 2005 Newsletter
The 109th Congress has convened and new members have taken their oath of office. President Bush sailed through his second inauguration without a hitch and the massive snowstorm held off long enough so all of the inaugural visitors were able to leave Washington without a problem.
Other than the confirmation of some of the President?s Cabinet nominees, Congress has spent most of January getting organized for the 109th Congress. President Bush will deliver his State of the Union address to a Joint Session of Congress on February 2 and his proposed budget for fiscal year 2006 will be released on February 7th. Once these milestones are completed, the real work in shaping public policy begins in earnest.
In examining the President?s proposed budget, ARRA will be paying close attention to the funding levels for our public lands agencies. Specifically, we will be looking at the proposed funding levels for the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service. We are especially interested in funding levels for trail maintenance.
Once the budget specifics are known, we will be sending ARRA members a special ?2006 Budget? update. We are anticipating that funding issues will be high on the ARRA agenda for 2005/6 and believe that it will be very important for ARRA members to be in touch with their elected representatives on these critical issues affecting recreational opportunities on our public lands.
Several of our New Year?s Resolutions in our January newsletter touched upon the importance of public involvement in our political processes. The national agenda on recreation issues will be set here in Washington and the implementation of many of those policies will be done in those areas closest to our public lands. Staying informed and involved will ensure that more public lands remain open to both motorized and non-motorized recreation.
Fortunately, committed recreationists have a variety of means to obtain information about developments affecting the national recreation agenda. ARRA commits itself to be one of those sources and hopes that in the months ahead, ARRA members will become even more involved with Members of Congress and public lands managers as these public servants set policies governing the use of our public lands.
We expect 2005 to be a busy year for the national recreation agenda. Join us as we work to ensure that more opportunities for recreational enjoyment become a reality for all those who seek access to our public lands.
Sincerely,
Larry E. Smith
Executive Director
ARRA
February, 2005 Newsletter
The 109th Congress has convened and new members have taken their oath of office. President Bush sailed through his second inauguration without a hitch and the massive snowstorm held off long enough so all of the inaugural visitors were able to leave Washington without a problem.
Other than the confirmation of some of the President?s Cabinet nominees, Congress has spent most of January getting organized for the 109th Congress. President Bush will deliver his State of the Union address to a Joint Session of Congress on February 2 and his proposed budget for fiscal year 2006 will be released on February 7th. Once these milestones are completed, the real work in shaping public policy begins in earnest.
In examining the President?s proposed budget, ARRA will be paying close attention to the funding levels for our public lands agencies. Specifically, we will be looking at the proposed funding levels for the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service. We are especially interested in funding levels for trail maintenance.
Once the budget specifics are known, we will be sending ARRA members a special ?2006 Budget? update. We are anticipating that funding issues will be high on the ARRA agenda for 2005/6 and believe that it will be very important for ARRA members to be in touch with their elected representatives on these critical issues affecting recreational opportunities on our public lands.
Several of our New Year?s Resolutions in our January newsletter touched upon the importance of public involvement in our political processes. The national agenda on recreation issues will be set here in Washington and the implementation of many of those policies will be done in those areas closest to our public lands. Staying informed and involved will ensure that more public lands remain open to both motorized and non-motorized recreation.
Fortunately, committed recreationists have a variety of means to obtain information about developments affecting the national recreation agenda. ARRA commits itself to be one of those sources and hopes that in the months ahead, ARRA members will become even more involved with Members of Congress and public lands managers as these public servants set policies governing the use of our public lands.
We expect 2005 to be a busy year for the national recreation agenda. Join us as we work to ensure that more opportunities for recreational enjoyment become a reality for all those who seek access to our public lands.
Sincerely,
Larry E. Smith
Executive Director
ARRA