2016 was a year of great opportunity and continuing challenges for the National Trails System. Here is a recap of the year and what\u00a0we can expect moving forward.<\/p>\n
Congressional Actions<\/b><\/p>\n
The 114th Congress adjourned in early December after passing another Continuing Resolution to fund the Federal government agencies at the Fiscal Year 2016 levels until April 28, 2017. \u00a0The appropriations for Fiscal Year 2017 are to be completed by the 115th Congress sometime this\u00a0spring. \u00a0The 114th Congress left this important work for the National Trails System unfinished:<\/span><\/p>\n The Partnership for the National Trails System will work with many allies to get bills introduced in the 115th Congress to accomplish these important actions.<\/p>\n Congress did pass the National Forest Trails Stewardship Act<\/a>. This act will strengthen and expand opportunities for volunteers to build and maintain trails on National Forests including National Scenic and Historic Trails.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The National Park Centennial Act<\/a> was also passed, which provides additional funding support for projects within National Parks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Administrative Actions<\/b><\/p>\n The US Forest Service issued a new chainsaw and crosscut saw policy<\/a>, which authorizes a program of certification of volunteers and staff to be able to, once certified, use their sawyer skills on all National Forests in the United States.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Bureau of Land Management created a <\/span>new procedure for guiding<\/span> resource management<\/span> planning <\/span>for <\/span>public lands<\/span><\/a>, which, among other things, increases the opportunity for interested stakeholder parties to participate in the early phases of land use planning on public lands.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Recently, the NPS issued Director’s Order 21<\/a> that provides new guidance for philanthropic work to facilitate more collaboration between park service staff and non-profit support organizations to raise funds and other support for projects, programs, and activities in national parks and along national trails.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Executive Update<\/b><\/p>\n\n