Election 2004: Voting for a Hiker-Friendly Candidate

Election Day 2004 may seem far off, but it's not too early to research candidates' positions on recreation and the environment. Voting for someone who values the outdoors is not easy, however. Issues such as clean air and water are tracked with voting records and rated, but recreation issues are not always cut and dried. Trail issues may be addressed through specific bills but sometimes appear buried within broader legislation. In addition, a pro-trail politician may not necessarily be pro-environment. As a voter, you have to make the call as to whether a candidate's poor record on the environment can be balanced by strong support for trails and recreation or vice-versa. Fortunately, several resources exist to help you sift through voting records and determine positions or at least leanings of candidates.

The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) is an excellent starting point for research. LCV serves as a watchdog organization, devoted full-time to shaping a pro-environment Congress and White House. LCV runs campaigns to defeat anti-environment candidates, supports pro-environment leaders, and produces reports such as the National Environmental Scorecard and Presidential Report Card to hold Congress and the administration accountable for their actions on the environment. LCV also runs a "Dirty Dozen" campaign to rid Congress of elected officials who consistently vote against the environment and keeps track of presidential candidates' latest statements on the environment from January 1 up to Election Day.

The Sierra Club also rates politicians' voting records. The club's "Votewatch" tells whether senators or representatives voted pro- or anti-environment on a range of issues, and "W.Watch" keeps tabs on President Bush. The Sierra Club also endorses candidates whose records support the environment.

One way to gain a sense of legislators' interest in trails is by checking if a representative is a member of the House Trails Caucus (HTC). In 1997, after instigation from American Hiking Society, several members of Congress organized the caucus to better inform their colleagues about our National Trails System. The 50-plus-member HTC is intentionally bipartisan. Although the caucus refrains from taking official positions on legislation or policy issues, several HTC members have received awards from trail organizations for consistent support or leadership on trail funding and pro-trail legislation. The chairs have been dedicated supporters of National Trails Day (NTD). Last year, Rep. Bereuter spoke on the House floor to promote NTD and the health benefits of trails.

To view a legislator's vote on issues not tracked by LCV or Sierra Club, the Library of Congress web site "Thomas" allows you to search legislation by bill number or subject. Thomas includes links to all congressional offices.

Hikers can also ask local candidates directly (by phone, mail, or email) about their positions on trail and conservation issues.

Issues to inquire about include:

• trail and recreation funding for the National Park Service, Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management;
• the Land and Water Conservation Fund;
• Transportation Enhancements and the Recreational Trails Program;
• willing seller land acquisition authority for the National Trails System; roadless area or wilderness area protection; and
• any other trail issue important to you.

Inviting your elected officials or candidates out on the trail is an ideal way to learn their positions on trails. Ask them to join you or your club on National Trails Day- June 5, 2004 .

Resources:

• League of Conservation Voters
• Sierra Club
• House Trails Caucus
• Thomas

V3 Last updated: March 22, 2004   Copyright © 1996-2005  New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Privacy Statement.