Nevada City, Calif. – Safer access to outdoor recreation on public lands in rural communities like Nevada County could get a boost in federal transportation dollars, thanks to a resolution sponsored by Nevada County District 5 Supervisor Hardy Bullock.
Supervisor Bullock presented his “Resolution Supporting Flexible Federal Transportation and Infrastructure Funding to Enhance Access, Safety, And Recreation on Federal Public Lands” at the National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference and Exposition. Supervisor Bullock attended the event with Nevada County District 1 Supervisor Heidi Hall.
The resolution calls on Congress, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration to modernize federal transportation funding to help counties better integrate recreation infrastructure and provide visitors and residents safer access to public lands.
It encourages an update to the Recreational Trails Program to align with present-day demand and costs, expand funding flexibility for projects such as trailheads, parking areas and trail connections, and encourage a “build once” approach that combines road and recreation improvements during initial construction.
“Outdoor recreation is one of Nevada County’s greatest assets, but getting people safely to our public lands takes more than roads alone. We need federal transportation programs that recognize trailheads, parking and trail connections as essential parts of the transportation system,” said Supervisor Bullock.
An avid outdoorsman and champion of a recreation economy, Bullock serves as Vice Chair of NACo’s Outdoor Recreation Subcommittee within the Public Lands Steering Committee. The resolution passed unanimously through both the Transportation Policy Steering Committee and the full NACo membership during the Annual Business Meeting without amendment or opposition.
In Nevada County, where nearly 40 percent of the total land area is public lands, the proposal offers promise for much-needed infrastructure relief in a region with a growing recreation and visitor economy. As part of a Recreation Economy Board Objective, supervisors and staff work with community partners to “enhance recreational access, support public health and safety, realize economic opportunities and preserve natural resources.”
Nevada County’s dedication to this objective can be seen in the Recreation and Resiliency Master Plan, South Yuba River Public Safety Cohort, Nevada County Recreation Coalition and new this summer, the River Shuttle Pilot Project and the Mile One Recreation Hub.
Supervisor Bullock represents District 5 and the communities of Soda Springs, Washington, Graniteville, Hirschdale, Boca, Floriston, the Town of Truckee, and unincorporated areas along Highways 49, 20, 89, and Interstate 80 where recreation attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, contributing millions of dollars in local taxes and travel spending.
The resolution urges federal policymakers to:
- Modernize the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) by updating its funding formula, which has remained tied to 2009 funding levels despite increasing visitation, higher construction costs and growing infrastructure needs.
- Allow federal highway grants to fund complementary recreation infrastructure, including trailheads, parking areas, and trail connections alongside roadway projects.
- Promote a “build once” approach that integrates roads, trails, parking, and other recreation amenities during initial construction to reduce costs and minimize future disruption.
- Better recognize the needs of rural counties and recreation-based economies by providing greater flexibility for transportation projects that improve safety, mobility and outdoor access.
Supervisor Bullock’s advocacy on the issue elevates the needs of rural counties nationwide, where increasing visitation has outpaced available resources for infrastructure improvements needed to support safe and sustainable access to public lands.
“This is about building smarter. When we have the opportunity to improve a roadway, we should also be able to build the recreation infrastructure that serves families, cyclists, hikers and visitors at the same time. A ‘build once’ approach saves taxpayer dollars and avoids having to tear up completed projects later,” said Supervisor Bullock.
The NACo Annual Conference is the nation’s largest gathering of county leaders, bringing together more than 3,200 elected and appointed officials from the nation’s 3,069 counties, parishes and boroughs. The conference provides opportunities for county leaders to shape federal policy priorities, share best practices and address emerging issues affecting local communities.