[IndianaTrails] FW: Trail Accessibility Guidelines ~ Open to Public Comment

[Morris, Steve]

-----Original Message-----
From: American Trails [mailto:pam_gluck at americantrails.org] 
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2007 12:42 AM
To: Morris, Steve
Subject: Trail Accessibility Guidelines ~ Open to Public Comment



ACTION ALERT 

The following message covers an important issue that will affect all
trails supporters. We have a chance to comment on accessible trail
guidelines for federal lands. While this proposal does not include
federally-funded projects or grants, a future version will ultimately
affect all new trails, everywhere. We'll try to help you understand this
process with all the details and commentary at www.AmericanTrails.org
<http://www.emailbrain.com/sendlink.asp?HitID=1182314158000&StID=15240&S
ID=1&EmID=24171923&Link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.AmericanTrails.org> . 

------------------------------------------------------------------ 

Trail Accessibility Guidelines Open to Public Comment 

The Access Board, Washington, DC has just announced an important step in
the process to establish rules for building accessible trails. A "Notice
of Proposed Rulemaking" (NPRM) has just been published in the Federal
Register, which triggers a 90-day public comment period. The deadline
for comment is October 18, 2007. The NPRM includes proposed rules for
Federal agencies that are based on the guidelines developed by a
regulatory negotiation committee for the Access Board in 1999. 

For more on this process, discussion, and the full text of the NPRM,
visit the Accessible Trails section of the American Trails website at
http://www.americantrails.org/resources/accessible/index
<http://www.emailbrain.com/sendlink.asp?HitID=1182314158000&StID=15240&S
ID=1&EmID=24171923&Link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.americantrails.org%2Fresources%
2Faccessible%2Findex> . 

What will happen during the 90-day comment period? 

During the comment period, two public hearings are planned: July 24,
2007 in Denver, CO and on September 6, 2007 in Washington, DC. The
hearings provide an opportunity for verbal comments. Electronic comments
will also be accepted. All comments will also be available for public
review. 
 
What is the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on Outdoor Developed
Areas?

The NPRM is the next step for the Access Board in establishing minimum
accessibility guidelines. It provides guidance on the design and
construction of newly constructed and altered trails, outdoor recreation
access routes, picnic and camping facilities, and beach access routes.
The format of the proposed rule includes a preamble (background
information about the committee and the various provisions), the text of
the provisions, and the regulatory assessment report on the proposed
rule.

The NPRM is based on a final report from the Regulatory Negotiation
Committee on Outdoor Developed Areas, presented to the Board in
September 1999. This 27 member Regulatory Negotiation Committee,
including all the Federal land management agencies, represents a
consensus approach to making outdoor developed areas accessible to
persons with disabilities. 

What does this mean for non-Federal trail projects? 

The NPRM is directed to Federal agencies. However, State, local and
private recreation providers can look to these guidelines as the most
current available information for making outdoor facilities accessible. 

The deadline for comment is October 18, 2007.

For more on this process, discussion, and the full text of the NPRM,
visit the Accessible Trails section of the American Trails website at
http://www.americantrails.org/resources/accessible/index
<http://www.emailbrain.com/sendlink.asp?HitID=1182314158000&StID=15240&S
ID=1&EmID=24171923&Link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.americantrails.org%2Fresources%
2Faccessible%2Findex> .

Check the American Trails website at www.AmericanTrails.org
<http://www.emailbrain.com/sendlink.asp?HitID=1182314158000&StID=15240&S
ID=1&EmID=24171923&Link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.AmericanTrails.org>  for
continuing updates.

 

 
 

 
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