Dr. Tom Coburn, a senator from Oklahoma has released a very comprehensive report (over 600 pages) that provides a blueprint for creating a balanced federal budget.

To see a copy of the report, click on the link below:
http://coburn.senate.gov/public//index.cfm?a=Files.Serve&File_id=c6590d01-017a-47b0-a15c-1336220ea7bf%29

For the most part, I agree completely with the report as is shows how many wasteful and duplicated government programs there are. I had not heard of 90% of these programs before skimming through this report.

But here is what Dr. Coburn said about the RTP program:

"The Recreational Trails Program “provides funds to the States to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both non-motorized and motorized recreational trail uses.  This program serves an entirely parochial purpose and should not be funded with federal highway funds. This plan recommends eliminating this program for FY12 savings of $85 million and ten-year savings of $931.5 million."

I took the time to go to the Senator's website and submit some feedback on how the program has made a difference in the North Country and I asked him to reconsider the elimination of this program for the following reasons:

1) It is self-funded through gas taxes from off-highway vehicles
2) It uses a match program to leverage the federal dollars with a local match
3) It enables rural communities to enhance trails to attract visitors
4) Over 15,000 projects have been completed providing access to local, state and federal land that would not otherwise have been possible.

Here is a link to Dr. Coburn's website where you can submit feedback on his Back in Black plan:
http://coburn.senate.gov/public/