NPS Releases Hiking/Bicycling Trail Plan/EA for Public Review and Schedules an Open House at Canyon Rim Visitor Center

“We are pleased to announce that the Hiking and Bicycling Trail Plan/Environmental Assessment (plan/EA) is now available for public review and comment,” explained National Park Service Superintendent Don Striker. “The public has expressed a great deal of interest in developing additional trail opportunities for both hiking and bicycling within the park. We invite and appreciate the public’s continued participation in this planning process by providing written comments and by attending the Open House at Canyon Rim Visitor Center.”

The National Park Service has prepared a plan and environmental assessment to design and construct two stacked loop hike and bike trail systems in the Craig Branch and Garden Ground areas of New River Gorge National River. The plan/EA analyzes the potential impacts of constructing new trails and of allowing bicycle use on the newly constructed trails and select existing trails and administrative roads within New River Gorge National River. The plan/EA describes three alternatives and identifies the NPS Preferred Alternative.

“Area residents,business owners,local officials,and organizational representatives are encouraged to review the plan,and comment on-line,by mail,or attend the Open House anytime between 3pm and 7pm and tell us what they think,” said Striker.

Open House:Thursday,February 10,2011,anytime between 3-7pm,at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center,located off U.S. Route 19,just north of the New River Gorge Bridge.

The document can be viewed and public comments submitted in several ways:

 On-line:Go to http://www.nps.gov/neri,at Quicklinks select “Park Planning”,then “Hiking and Bicycling Trail Plan”,then “Open for Public Comment”

 Hard copies:Can be viewed at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center,Sandstone Visitor Center,and at the Park Headquarters in Glen Jean. Limited hard copies are available upon request. Send written requests to the address below or call 304.465.6527

 Send written comments to:Don Striker,Superintendent

New River Gorge National River

P.O. Box 246

Glen Jean,WV 25846

e-mail:NERI_Superintendent@nps.gov

Please submit comments on-line or by mail no later than March 4,2011.

via New River Gorge National River –National Park Service Releases Hiking-Biking Plan for Public Review (U.S. National Park Service).