Over The Edge Sports is Mountain BIke store in Fruita, Colorado and Hurricane, Utah

Dear Representatives,

As your constituent, I am writing to ask that you co-sponsor and support the National Discovery Trails Act, H.R. 4878, introduced by Congressman Mark DeSaulnier with Rep. Jeff Fortenberry as lead co-sponsor.  This legislation amends the National Trails System Act to create a new category of long-distance trails called National Discovery Trails and designates the American Discovery Trail as the first trail in that category.

The American Discovery Trail is our nation’s first coast-to-coast, multi-use trail.  Its 6,800-mile route stretches across 15 states.  The National Park Service performed a feasibility study about including the ADT in the national trails system and recommended affirmatively that the ADT be made official and that the Discovery category be created.  

I believe that you should co-sponsor H.R. 4878 because:

• It will benefit our area. The American Discovery Trail passes through Colorado, and its designation as a national discovery trail will attract tourist dollars and bring national visibility.  Trails benefit local economies.  Many studies have found that trails and greenways positively affect property values, small business revenues, and even corporate relocations.
• The ADT is an existing route: It follows existing trails, county roads, city greenways and small-town sidewalks.  It requires no new land acquisition and no new trail building. We are not asking for any appropriations.  It’s already in use by the public-on-public rights-of-way linked together across the country.  
• It benefits the country:  As the first coast-to-coast trail, it supplies the missing links in the national trails system.  The ADT connects five national scenic, 12 national historic, and 34 national recreation trails; passes through urban centers like San Francisco, St. Louis, and Kansas City; leads to 14 national parks and 16 national forests; and visits 10,000 sites of historic, cultural and natural significance. It is truly the backbone of the national trails system. 
• It benefits our citizens’ health.  Walking and bicycle riding are great ways to keep fit and help fight the obesity epidemic.  The ADT brings a national trail to the people and is within 20 miles of 32 million people.
• It is cost-effective and benefits local trails. The ADT has always been a public-private partnership, with the vast majority of the work done by volunteers, and official designation will enhance our ability to increase this leverage.  The presence of the ADT has resulted in many local trails being developed across the country.  

For these and many more reasons, I ask that you sign on as a co-sponsor of the National Discovery Trails Act, H.R. 4878.  I would appreciate hearing from you on whether you plan to support H.R. 4878.  

Sincerely, 

Paul AietaCEO, Over the Edge Sports, Ltd.
970-433-4851