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Legislative and Executive Branch Update for Parks, Trails, and Recreation

From the National Recreation and Park Association
Briefing from the NRPA Congress and Exhibition, Seattle, WA; October 2006

LEGISLATION

*FY 2006 Appropriations The U.S. Congress reconvened after Labor Day, with Sen. Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) and House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) pressed for time to finish a long list of priorities before legislators were to depart to districts and states in preparation for November elections. As expected, when Congress recessed on September 29, much of the appropriations business was undone. A Continuing Resolution was passed to fund the federal government until November 17, 2006.

The Senate Appropriations Committee did pass all of its bills out of committee, but for various reasons, all but two of the bills were left on the floor. The full House did pass all of its Appropriations bills, with the exception of the ever-contentious Labor HHS Education Appropriations Bills.

With so much work left undone, Congressional leaders had no choice but to call a lame duck session, expected to begin around November 9, 2006 after the national elections. Most of the Appropriations bills are expected to be rolled into one large omnibus bill. At this time it is uncertain if passing all appropriations in an omnibus bill will have negative consequences, but advocates need to be prepared to renew advocacy for important program priorities.

The election results may have a major impact on the appropriations process. If the Republicans lose control of one or both of the Houses, the spending priorities may change. If the GOP remains in the majority, term limit requirements will end chairmanships of the Appropriations Committees at the start of the 110 th Congress in January. This will make present chairmen eager to pass bills to address home district and home state priorities upon reconvening during the lame-duck session. If the Democrats take control of one or both chambers, Republicans will find less support for passing their priorities, and could even see majorities for passage of the Appropriations bills evaporate during the lame duck session.

All of the uncertain outcomes bear special attention from advocates for parks and recreation. Many major federal programs that directly benefit parks and recreation are at risk. Careful attention is needed, and prompt action may be necessary at a moment's notice.

*FY 2007 Federal Budget

With all the uncertainty surrounding the close of the 2006 budget year, any predictions about how the 2007 federal budget will actually look are speculative at best. However, it verges on certainty that spending for federal discretionary programs will receive similar cuts as in previous years. The federal programs that park and recreation agencies depend on for matching federal grants are highly at risk.

More information and analysis will be made available from the Public Policy Office of NRPA as it becomes available. Look for breaking news on the NRPA website at www.nrpa.org , Dateline Online, and through the RecreAction Network, NRPA's free legislative analyses and updates for park and recreation advocates.

*Interior Appropriations (HR 5386)

Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) The Senate Interior and Environmental Appropriations Subcommittee marked-up the fiscal 2007 Interior-Environment Appropriations bill on June 28 which covers appropriations for the Department of the Interior, EPA, the Forest Service, and other federal land-managing agencies, and the full Committee passed the bill unanimously on June 29.

The $26.1 billion spending bill is very austere, and there will be many cuts to popular programs, but the good news is that through the sustained advocacy of NRPA members in coalition with the members of many other national environmental and recreation organizations, most major NRPA legislative priorities were recommended for funding in this bill, although some at reduced levels.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) state assistance program was recommended for funding at $30 million for 2007, the same level of funding as 2006. However, it should be noted that the $30 million level is a full 67% cut from the average of the preceding 5 fiscal years.

In the final weeks before the House-Senate "mark-up" spending bills over 150 House Representatives and 52 Senators signed on to Dear Colleague letters calling for $100 million for LWCF state. Currently an additional NRPA's Public Policy effort is being coordinated to encourage a final Dear Colleague letter to Committee Members weighing in on a omnibus spending package and urging them House members to accede to the Senate funding level of at least $30 million for 2007

*Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA)

An important technical assistance program that aids local and state park and recreation agencies in planning of trail systems, greenways, and water trails, is the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program. The RTCA program which faced a $500,000 cut in its $8.1 million budget in the President's proposed budget and in the House approved budget was recommended for $300,000 above the President's proposal, which would still be a cut of $200,000 to the program. This would be a serious and unwarrantedcut to this very valuable and important cooperative partnership program that serves local and state interests in helping to advance national priorities extremely well. NRPA, along with a broad coalition of national advocacy groups. has requested that Congress not approve program cuts and fund RTCA at $8.5 million in 2007

*Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act (UPARR)

Also at risk for the first time ever is the administrative functions of the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act (UPARR). The President's proposed and House-approved spending bill for the National Park Service inexplicably contained no funding whatsoever for administrative oversight of the 1500+ UPARR projects, which could open them to inappropriate conversions to other uses without federal government oversight. NRPA has encouraged Congress to support restoration of the $250,000 in administrative funding that is essential for UPARR administration and oversight.

*Labor - HHS -Education Appropriations (HR 5647)

The complexity of the issues involved in this bill will make it more difficult to avoid bundling all of the remaining spending measures. The Labor-H bill represents the largest chunk of domestic discretionary spending, but at present also includes a minimum wage increase that the GOP leadership does not support, resulting in a stalled bill. Both moderate Democrats and Republicans want more money in the bill have had made maneuvers to get it. Both the House and Senate reduced their approved Defense spending levels to provide additional money for the bill, presumably with the intent of providing more money for the Pentagon through later supplemental packages.

*On June 13th, the FY 2007 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations

Bill cleared the House Appropriations Committee. The House bill included cuts to nutrition and physical activity programs operated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Specifically, $41.5 million was appropriated for nutrition, physical activity, and obesity programming, which is $43,000 less than the last fiscal year, but the same as was in the President's request. $43.9 million for Steps to a Healthier US which is the same as the last fiscal year, but $1.4 million less than the budget request. Once again, the Committee encouraged the CDC to provide leadership and coordination for the federal government's efforts to address the overweight and obesity epidemic.

In addition, CDC's environmental health and injury coordinating center was funded at $289 million, the 2006 fiscal year level, but appropriated $10.5 million less than the fiscal year 2006 funding and $1.65 million less than the President's request for environmental health programming. NRPA also advocates for adequate funding for CDC's Division of Adult and Community Health, Division of Adolescent and School Health, and Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention initiatives.

The Department of Education's Carol M. White Physical Education

Program (PEP) received only $26.8 million, the same as the President requested in his budget. This is a dramatic decrease from the $73 million that the program received during the last fiscal year. This program was also the target of termination under the President's budget request.

The House bill did not include funding for the Community Food and Nutrition Program (CFNP) and level-funded the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and 21 st Century Community Learning Centers at $2.06 billion and $981 million respectively.

NRPA scored a solid victory by successfully restoring $2.5 million for the Department of Education's Rehabilitative Services Administration's Section 316 grants for recreation for persons with disabilities. This was one of the programs targeted for termination under the President's budget request, and was one that NRPA focused attention on ensuring its continuation.

NRPA will closely monitor this bill as is moves through the process. We will continue to advocate for sufficient funding for priority divisions within the Centers for Disease Control Prevention, for the Department of Education's Physical Education Program, Rehabilitative Services Administration's recreational program, and for 21 st Century Community Learning Centers, among additional priorities.

*Agriculture Appropriations Act (HR 5384)

The FY 2007 Agriculture Appropriations Bill that cleared the Senate Subcommittee and Committee on June 20, and 22, respectively, adds one state (MN) to the Simplified Summer Food Program (aka "Lugar pilots"). The bill also includes funding for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), which was zeroed out in the President's FY 2007 Budget request, and expands the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Pilot to three additional states (AR, CA, and GA). The House passed the bill on May 23, 2006. NRPA will be advocating to secure at least these funding amounts in the final version of the bill.

*Science - State - Justice Commerce Appropriations Act (HR 567)

The FY2007 Bill, passed out of the House of Representatives on June 29, 2006; the Senate has yet to vote on the bill. The House version included $65 million for the Title V Local Delinquency Prevention Program, which is $33 million more than the President requested and $1 million more than the program received last year. NRPA will be advocating to secure at least that amount in the final version of the bill.

*Transpotation, Treausury, Housing and Urban Development

Appropriations Act (HR 5576) An increasingly important block grant program that is being utilized by local communities and cities for park and recreation projects is the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG). Historically, it is estimated that about 5% of CDBG funds are used for park and recreation related projects, often as part of larger community redevelopment projects which are anchored by park and recreation amenities. Despite the strong popularity of the CDBG program with cities and urban counties, it has been a frequent target of the Bush Administration which proposed a massive cut of $1.1 billion dollars in the $4.2 billion dollar program, a cut of 27%. Congress would have none of it, but the amount of reductions if any in this appropriations is unknown at this writing.

*Pending Authorizations

*Gulf of Mexico Energy Independence Act of 2006 (S.3711) NRPA played an important role in the recent passage of the Senate's new energy bill, S. 3711, that would provide long-term, dedicated funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund state assistance program, a goal of NRPA for nearly 40 years. Much as advocates did 40 years ago when the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act was first passed in 1965, advocates advanced the proposition that if Congress agrees to expand drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, then a portion of the lease revenues should result in a permanent recreation and conservation benefit for the American people.

S. 3711, titled the Gulf of Mexico Energy Independence Act of

2006, is a bill that would allow expansion of federal leases of the Outer Continental Shelf in the eastern Gulf of Mexico in a large offshore area known as Area 181. The bill would share 37.5% of the lease royalty revenues with the affected Gulf states (FL, MS, AL, and LA) and additionally dedicate 12.5% of the royalty revenues, a "conservation royalty" as it has been called, to the LWCF state assistance program to be shared with all states..

Sen. Ken Salazar (D-CO.) and Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN.), with support from Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA.) led a spirited campaign during the Senate deliberations to ensure that a significant portion of the royalty payments, 12.5%, be set aside for LWCF stateside. The bill passed the Senate on August 1 with a 71-25 vote.

The revenues from the new leases in Area 181 that would be dedicated to LWCF would be meager in the first 10 years of enactment, ranging from zero in the first years, until production starts, and rising to approximately $40 million annually by 2016. After the budget cap is lifted in 2017, new revenues would flow into LWCF, likely exceeding $100 million per year and possibly rising in out years. Advocates would still have to fight for annual appropriations, at least until higher amounts in out years kick in, but this provision could grow into significant dedicated funding for LWCF, a long-sought goal of NRPA.

A conference committee has not officially been named, but members and staff have attempted to reconcile differences with the more contentious House bill, H.R. 4761, passed by the House Resources Committee, contains a number of provisions that are fiercely opposed by some coastal states. Some senior members of the Senate declared that they will work to defeat this legislation if the House attempted to change it substantially in a conference, but it remains to be seen how much political will there will be on both sides of the aisle to have any kind of substantive energy bill this year.

NRPA supports the Senate version of the bill and will monitor developments carefully and keep advocates informed. Advocates should contact legislators in the House and Senators in leadership positions to make them aware of your support for the provision to dedicate 12.5% of royalty revenues to the LWCF, asking for their support to keep this provision if any compromises reached on the two differing bills. Look for Action Alerts and updates as developments warrant.

*Passage of Older Americans Act (H.R. 6197)

On Sept 28, the House passed HR 6197 to reauthorize the Older Americans Act, which governs about $1.8 billion worth of services, such as Meals on Wheels, health screenings, counseling and support for people who care for elderly relatives. The law authorizes the Administration on Aging, as well as a jobs program in the Labor Department that finds community-service work for low-income seniors. Many park and recreation departments receive funds from the Meals on Wheels program to distribute needed nourishment to seniors in their community. The Senate passed the bill on September 30, 2006 as one of the last bills it considered before going to recess.

Also included in the bill is funding for the Home and Community-Based Supportive Services grant program that serves as the foundation for the national aging services network that includes funding for multi-purpose senior centers. Grants can be used for disease prevention, health promotion and physical fitness programs. Hundreds of park and recreation agencies around the country tap into these funds to support the programs offered in senior centers.

Finally, the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act also included language embodied in the Federal Youth Coordination Act. The Federal Youth Coordination Act (previously a stand-alone bill H.R. 856, S. 409), or FYCA, is bipartisan legislation drafted in partnership with National Collaboration for Youth member organizations as a response to a report issued by the White House Task Force for Disadvantaged Youth in December 2003. The Task Force found that programs working to meet the needs of young people are spread across 12 federal departments and agencies with little communication or coordination among them. FYCA establishes a Federal Youth Development Council that will enable the federal government to implement multifaceted approaches to reaching youth by leveraging and coordinating the existing resources of different federal agencies, including those that assist with and collaborate with local park and recreation agencies around the country. For more information on FYCA, visit www.youthcoordinainationact.org . NRPA endorses this Act

*NRPA Priorities for Health and Wellness Legislation in the Upcoming 110 th Congress The Healthy Lifestyle and Prevention Act (S.1074, H.R. 5951), the Prevention of Childhood Obesity Act (S.799), the Childhood Obesity Reduction Act (S.1324, HR 4860), Improved Nutrition and Physical Activity (IMPACT) Act (S.1325), and the Healthy Places Act (S.2506, H.R. 5088) all failed to pass out of their respective committees during the 2 nd session of the 109 th Congress. Thus, each bill will effectively die once Congress adjourns and will have to be reintroduced at the onset of 110 th Congress that will begin in January 2007. NRPA will work with the main sponsors of each bill to get the following legislation reintroduced in early 2007.

*Healthy Lifestyles and Prevention (HeLP) America Act (S.1074, H.R. 5951)

This bill was introduced by Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) on May 18, 2005 and by Representative Tom Udall (D-NM) on July 27, 2006. The bill seeks to improve the health of Americans and reduce health care costs by reorienting the nation's health care system towards prevention, wellness, and self-care. NRPA continues to work with the sponsors' offices to ensure that all local governments, including parks and recreation agencies, are eligible for the competitive grants outlined in the bill.

Senator Harkin's staff has indicated that this bill will provide substantial opportunities for agencies to develop and expand therapeutic recreation services.

*Prevention of Childhood Obesity Act (S.799)

This bill was introduced by Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) on April 15, 2005. The bill seeks to provide coordination of Federal government policies and activities to prevent obesity in childhood and to establish grant programs to prevent childhood obesity within homes, schools, and communities.

*Childhood Obesity Reduction Act (S.1324, H.R. 4860)

U.S. Senator Bill Frist (R-TN) introduced this bill on June 28, 2005 and Representative Kay Granger (R-TX) introduced her version on May 1, 2006. This bill seeks to reduce and prevent childhood obesity by encouraging schools and school districts to develop and implement local, school-based programs designed to reduce and prevent childhood obesity, promote increased physical activity, and improve nutritional choices. The bill also would establish a private, non-profit foundation to fight obesity around the country. *Improved Nutrition and Physical Activity (IMPACT) Act

(S.1325, H.R. 5698) U.S. Senator Bill Frist (R-TN) introduced this bill on June 28, 2005 and Representative Mary Bono (R-CA) introduced her version on July 17, 2006. This bill seeks to establish grants to provide health services for improved nutrition, increased physical activity, and obesity prevention. Grant recipients must work with state and local parks and recreation departments as well as local departments of transportation and city planning agencies to develop comprehensive plans to encourage healthy eating behaviors and healthy levels of physical activity. Grants may be used to develop after-school and weekend community activities with entities operating recreational facilities. NRPA endorses this bill, observing that it recognizes the crucial connection between an individual's health gains and their use of public parks, recreation centers, and similar resources. NRPA will now focus on getting the bill reintroduced in the 110 th Congress.

*Healthy Places Act (S.2506, H.R. 5088)

Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) and Rep. Hilda Solis (D-CA) introduced this bill on April 4, 2006 and April 19, 2006 to coordinate federal agency activity on environmental health issues. The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to establish grant programs to allow state or local governments to conduct health impact assessments and to conduct environmental health improvement activities. NRPA supports this effort to coordinate federal initiatives and to allow local government to improve health aspects of the built environment.

*Reauthorization of Surface Transportation Act

Congress passed the long-awaited reauthorization of the nation's surface transportation bill on July 29, 2005, SAFETEA-LU, or the Safe, Accountable, Efficient Transportation Equity Act - A Legacy for Users and NRPA members can take pride in achieving virtually every one of the Association's stated goals of the 2005 NRPA national legislative platform for this long-awaited legislation. Nearly every one of NRPA's legislative priorities for this bill as stated in the 2005 National Legislative Platform was achieved or exceeded.

SAFETEA-LU re-authorizes annual appropriations for the next five fiscal years on the nation's surface transportation program. In the previous six-year bill known as TEA 21, spending levels for parks and recreation related transportation categories were very good, but new programs and some significantly increased funding levels in SAFETEA-LU will now provide hundreds of millions in increased funding levels for eligible park and recreation related projects. One significant accomplishment by NRPA in cooperation with a number of national coalition partners was that long-standing statutory protections for historic sites, parks and recreation areas, wildlife refuges, and waterfowl areas, known in the law as Section 4(f), have been preserved without seriously damaging changes sought by powerful transportation and construction interests.

Some highlights of authorizations for important park and recreation program categories include: approximately $3.5 billion dollars for the Transportation Enhancements; $370 million for the Recreational Trails Program (an increase of 62% over funding levels in TEA 21); full funding for the Sport Fishing and Boating Safety Education Act, at nearly $100 million per year; increases for Scenic Byways, Federal Lands Highways Program, and the Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Program (CMAQ), a program that contains funding for bike-ped transportation corridors; as well as a number of exciting new programs that may hold many opportunities for park and recreation agencies and local communities such as the Safe Routes to School Program (SRTS) funded at $612 million; a non-motorized pilot demonstration program for 4 selected cities and counties, namely Minneapolis, MN; Columbia, MO; Sheboygan County, WI; and Marin County, CA at $25 million per year; and the new Alternative Transit Program for Public Lands (ATPPL) for federal agencies at $24 million per year over four years.

However, due to 11 extensions of the previous six-year authorization, TEA 21, the delays in approving the present cycle mean that planning for the next cycle is beginning literally almost on the heels of the present authorization. Many informed observers speculate that the fuel tax revenues generated from the 18.5 cents per gallon federal fuel excise tax that provided such robust funding in SAFETEA-LU will not be at levels seen for the present authorization, and may not actually be sustained through this bill. The many programs and new transportation funding sources that have become principle funding for park and recreation related projects may be significantly reduced in the next cycle. NRPA is examing the potential for new pilot demonstration programs, perhaps a Safe Routes to Parks initiative, that would continue to link alternative and traditional transportation networks with parks and recreation areas where people can safely hike and bike to close to home places to get active and stay healthy.

*Summer Food Service Program Revision Act (S.1005) Introduced by Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) on May 11, 2005, the bill would expand the "Lugar Pilot" summer feeding program. The "Lugar Pilots" are part of the Summer Food Service program used to feed nearly 2 million kids daily during the summer. S.1005 would amend the National School Lunch Act to permit the pilot programs to be carried out in all states and by all service institutions. The veteran senator initiated the Lugar Pilot program in 1999 to reduce administrative obstacles that prevent many institutions from participating in the highly valuable program. The pilot program currently runs in 19 states. In the past three years, the pilot states experienced a 20% increase in summer feeding compared to a 2.7% decrease in states without the program.

*Urban and Rural Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Act (H.R. 2240)

This bill was introduced by Representative Bernie Sanders (I-VT) on May 31, 2005 to assist the development of indoor disease prevention and health promotion centers in urban and rural areas. H.R. 2240 would authorize a 5 year grant program, totaling over $100 million in grants each year, for local public agencies to develop indoor health promotion centers. Funds could be used for construction, rehabilitation, acquisition and conversion of facilities and enhancement of existing recreational structures. Funds would be equally split between local agencies in localities with less than 50,000 people and local agencies serving more than 50,000 persons.

*Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) (H.R. 5479)

Representative Jerry Weller (R-IL) introduced this bill on May 25, 2006 to allow physical fitness programs and certain exercise equipment to be paid for out of pre-tax dollars by including them in tax-deferred medical savings vehicles such as flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts. If enacted, this legislation could support many Americans in adopting healthier lifestyles.

*Workforce Health Improvement Program Act (WHIP) (S.772, H.R. 1634)

Representative Zach Wamp (R-TN) introduced this bill on April 14, 2005 and Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced his version on April 13, 2005. This bill would allow for the balanced tax treatment of the cost of fitness center memberships as an employee benefit. Specifically, it would reaffirm an employer's right to deduct the cost of subsidizing or providing off-site fitness center benefits for their employees.

*No Child Left Behind Reauthorization

NRPA's priorities for the No Child Left Behind Act will focus on the need to include physical education and physical activity opportunities as part of individual school plans. NRPA has also re-initiated collaborations with the Afterschool Alliance in an effort to strengthen the organization's ties to the after-school advocacy community. NRPA has begun working with the Afterschool Alliance on legislative priorities for the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act.

*RULEMAKING

*Section 4(f) Rulemaking in SAFETEA-LU

With the passage of several changes to current law regarding

Section 4(f) in SAFETEA-LU in September 2005, a new round of rulemaking is taking place by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) relating to the "feasible and prudent" standard and also for the new "finding of de minimis impact" exemption to Section 4(f) requirements.

NRPA led a national coalition of more than a dozen groups including the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Environmental Defense (ED), the Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC), the Surface Transportation Policy Project (STPP), and others in the fight to save the essential protections of Section 4(f) for the protected classes of resources, namely parks and recreation areas, wildlife refuges, and waterfowl areas, that would have been left unprotected if the Senate's language had been adopted.

After lengthy, difficult congressional negotiations, the essential protections of 4(f) were saved. However, because the law was changed, there will be a round of rulemaking that is required to be initiated within one year of passage of the law. Of significant interest to local park and recreation officials are the new provisions in the law that call for the "concurrence of local parks officials" in a finding of de minimis impact that the "features and attributes" of the local park resource will not be damaged or destroyed, as well as changes and new interpretations to the "feasible and prudent" standard of Section 4(f) that was upheld by the Supreme Court in a landmark case known as Volpe vs. Citizens of Overton Park. This new concurrence standard for de minimis exemptions will impose new obligations on local parks and recreation officials who may not fully understand their role or the significance of their responsibility in protecting local park resources, and the application of interpretations of the feasible and prudent standard may significantly reinterpret Section 4(f) protections as they are presently applied.

NRPA engaged in a "listening session" with the FHWA and presented official comments in cooperation with the Rails to Trails Conservancy, Surface Transportation Policy Project, Environmental Defense, and the Natural Resources Defense Council as formal response to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking activities regarding Section 4(f). These comments may be viewed on the FHWA website as NPRM for Parks, Recreation Areas, Wildlife and Waterfowl Refuges, and Historic Sites. [Federal Register: July 27, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 144)]. Docket No. FHWA-05-22884. Interested members are encouraged to contact NRPA's Public Policy Office for additional information or if they have section 4(f) issues on transportation projects affecting their parklands.

*Access Board rulemaking on Outdoor Recreation Areas

The U.S. Access Board is developing new guidelines covering access to trails, beaches, and picnic and camping areas on federal property. The guidelines will supplement those the Board has issued for the built environment and will address unique constraints specific to outdoor developed areas. The guidelines will be developed based on recommendations the Board received from the Outdoor Developed Areas Regulatory Negotiation Committee, of which the National Recreation and Park Association was a part.

*POLICY DEVELOPMENT

*Partnership for PLAY Every Day NRPA is in the process of developing a brand-new policy partnership with the YMCA of the USA and Action for Healthy Kids entitled the Partnership for PLAY Every Day. The mission of the partnership is to ensure that all American children and youth have at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. We plan to help bring together the public and private sectors to advance policies, programs and practices that ensure all children and youth engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.

The Campaign will achieve this vision by reaching these goals:

1. Raising awareness of the physical inactivity epidemic among young people today in the U.S. in an effort to help provoke a sustained national campaign promoting increased activity;

2. Gaining alignment toward successful programs and strategies that already exist to increase physical activity among children and youth and reinforcing these policies, programs and practices.

3. Documenting commitments and actions from all partners at the individual organization level and as a collaborative;

4. Identifying and advancing the numerous environmental and public policy strategies and resources that could impact change; and

5. Addressing gaps in current actions by developing and initiating solutions to increase physical activity for America's children and youth.

Objectives

1) To increase the number of children and youth participating in 60 minutes a day of quality, physical activity in the before, during and/or afterschool settings

2) To increase the number of adequate spaces for children and youth to engage in physical activity in any setting

3) To increase the number of voices supporting expanded opportunities for physical activity at the local, state and national level

*NRPA Supports Congressional Youth Sports Caucus and the Congressional Fitness Caucus

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a Resolution on June 19, 2006 (H. Res. 826) designating the second week of July as "National Youth Sports Week" by a 311 to 0 vote. The floor discussion about the Resolution included the reading of a statement of support submitted by NRPA. This comes on the heels of the April launch of the Congressional Youth Sports Caucus, of which NRPA is a leading organization.

NRPA has worked closely with the champion of this effort, Rep. Mike McIntyre (D-NC) and other member organizations in a bi-partisan fashion to promote the values of sportsmanship, civility, respect, health, safety, fun, and physical activity among players and leaders, including coaches, parents, and officials.

NRPA is pleased that National Youth Sports week will take place during the second week of July to coincide and compliment National Recreation and Parks month.

In addition, NRPA helped U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre (D-N.C.) host a youth sports summit on July 31, 2006 in Wilmington, N.C. The summit attracted more than 200 people, including coaches, parents, youth and concerned citizens dedicated to improving youth sports in their community. Find out more about what NRPA is doing to conduct a Grassroots Youth Sports Report Card at the NRPA website.

Public Policy Office works with National Partnership Department to coordinate a Health and Livability Summit in April 2007 NRPA's Health and Livability Summit will invite local, state, and national officials and citizen advocates to join together to examine new management practices, and investigate the vital contributions park and recreation agencies make to increase the quality of life, health, and livability of the individuals they serve. NRPA seeks to assist in launching nationally recommended policies for communities to foster healthy lifestyles and more livable communities.

*NRPA One Stop Advocacy Action Center and the RecreAction Network

The Public Policy Office is putting together a new web-based legislative and policy information center, the One Stop Advocacy Action Center. The new information source is gradual coming to fruition as it is populated with current national public policy actions. All current legislative information, active advocacy campaigns, links to Action Alerts, Dateline Online columns, White Papers and background briefings, will be available through the One Stop Advocacy Action Center on the NRPA website at www.nrpa.org , click to Advocacy.

*NRPA Produces HealthNotes, new E-newsletter NRPA has just launched HealthNotes, a National Recreation Foundation grant funded quarterly e-newsletter that provides an overview of developments in health policy and health promotion related to active recreation. HealthNotes is intended to provide up to date information on best practices, emerging partnerships, and new policy developments of interest to the park and recreation professional as well as the citizen advocate. Go the NRPA website at www.nrpa.org then click to Publications

*National Effort to Address Perceived "Nature Deficit Disorder" in Children

NRPA participated in the recent National Dialogue on Children and Nature which brought together 300 experts on nature education and youth development to discuss the growing crisis of kids disconnected from nature. NRPA Public Policy staff will begin to examine what public park and recreation agencies can do and what new partnerships might be forged to address the resulting health and youth development problems from this phenomenon. Organized by the Conservation Fund and in partnership with a number of national conservation and advocacy organizations, a national plan of action is expected soon, coordinated by the Conservation Fund. There may be substantial opportunity for partnership including seed grants for new and innovative projects.

Contact NRPA's Public Policy Office

To contact the staff of the Public Policy Office in Washington, DC, call 202-887-0290 or email at:

Richard Dolesh, Director of Public Policy - rdolesh@nrpa.org

Monica Hobbs Vinluan, Senior Policy Associate -

mvinluan@nrpa.org

Michael Phillips, Policy and Advocacy Specialist -

mphillips@nrpa.org

Kenya Jefferson, Policy Division Administrator -

kjefferson@nrpa.org

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