As Americans prepare to hit the roads for the opening of the summer travel season, a group of 14 United States Senators have introduced legislation designed to help ease traffic congestion and improve mobility and accessibility in our National Parks and Wildlife Refuges, while helping to protect our Nation's natural resources.

Led by Senator Paul S. Sarbanes (D-MD), the legislation, the "Transit in Parks Act," or "TRIP" bill, would create a federal transit grant initiative to support the development of mass transit and alternative transportation services for our national parks, wildlife refuges, federal recreational areas, and other public lands.

"Many families will have the unfortunate experience over the next several weeks of waiting in their cars with young children for several hours at the entrances to some of our national parks only to be told by park rangers that the park is full for the day," said Sarbanes. "Families should not be trapped during their trips to our natural wonders because we are not implementing alternatives to ease these traffic bottlenecks. Or once they arrive, they should not be subject to obnoxious exhaust fumes and smog in areas where they come to admire natural beauty and breathe fresh air. I believe we have a clear choice before us

"The 'Transit in Parks Act' recognizes that we have a clear choice before us: we can turn paradise into a parking lot - or we can invest in alternative transportation solutions before our national parks are damaged beyond repair," Sarbanes added.

Specifically, the "TRIP" initiative would authorize $90 million annually over the next six years, which would be provided to the federal land management agencies and their state and local partners. These agencies oversee the 388 various sites within the National Park System, which include national battlefields, monuments and national seashores, as well as the national wildlife refuges and other federal recreational facilities. The program will provide funds for transit projects, including rail or clean fuel bus projects, pedestrian and bike paths, or park waterway access, within or adjacent to these lands.

Project selection would not be limited to major national parks such as the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone, but would include the following criteria: the historical and cultural significance of a project; safety; and the extent to which the project would conserve resources, prevent adverse impacts, enhance the environment, improve mobility, and contribute to livable communities.

In addition to Sarbanes, the following Senators are sponsoring the legislation: Lamar Alexander (R-TN); Daniel Akaka (D-HI); Max Baucus (D-MT); Jon Corzine (D-NJ); Chris Dodd (D-CT); Bob Graham (D-FL); Edward Kennedy (D-MA); Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ); Carl Levin (D-MI); Harry Reid (D-NV); Charles Schumer (D-NY); Debbie Stabenow (D-MI); and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

The American Public Transportation Association, the National Parks Conservation Association, Environmental Defense, Community Transportation Association of America, Natural Resources Defense Council, Amalgamated Transit Union, Surface Transportation Policy Project, Friends of the Earth, America Bikes, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and others, support the bill.

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