Exploring Southwest Virgina

EXPLORING SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
May 27, 2005

Saturday, June 4th is National Trails Day

Every year, the first Saturday in June is designated as National Trails Day, an ideal time to take advantage of the outdoors and enjoy the scenery of Southwest Virginia. Our region possesses the state of Virginia's best outdoor experience, with the highest mountains, most interesting rivers and superb hunting, fishing, camping, biking, backpacking and hiking opportunities. With these rare treasures of Virginia's natural heritage, National Trails Day represents a special opportunity for Southwest Virginia residents to take advantage of the beauty of our region.

The goals of National Trails Day are to promote public awareness and appreciation for America's trails, and to build partnerships among trail users, businesses and public land managers. National Trails Day events include new trail dedications, workshops, educational exhibits, equestrian and mountain bike rides, boat paddling, rollerblading, trail maintenance and hikes on America's favorite trails. America's hundreds of thousands of trail miles allow individuals to explore exquisite forests, delicate alpine meadows, majestic desert monuments and rumbling river valleys.

National Trails Day is also a time to promote hiking, biking and backpacking as some of the best forms of exercise. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 64 percent of the U.S. population is overweight and 75 percent of Americans age 18 and over get too little physical activity. By increasing physical activity, local trail use, including walking and bicycling, helps control weight and reduces the risk of life-threatening diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other serious medical conditions.

Southwest Virginia is fortunate to have some of the most attractive landscape in the country. Due to a strong commitment at the federal, state and local levels, our region is now home to an extensive network of trails which serve to promote tourism, the Ninth District's fastest growing industry. Tourism holds great promise for our region, and is our greatest untapped economic resource.

A major focus of my office's economic development agenda is the expansion of Southwest Virginia's tourism economy, and several Southwest Virginia trail projects have advanced as a result of federal money which I have obtained. Some of the projects which received recent federal investment include trestle improvements on the Virginia Creeper Trail, the extension of the New River Trail and the creation of the Birch Knob Recreation Area with a trail leading to the apex of the Knob. Earlier this year, the House of Representatives approved with my support a measure which includes $1 million in federal funding to be used to develop the Glen Alton Recreation Area in Giles County. Once completed, the property would include 2 trail systems and many other amenities. The bill containing the funding provision is now awaiting consideration by a conference committee between the House and Senate. I anticipate that the bill will be approved in final form by the Congress later this year and will be signed into law by the President.

National Trails Day offers a special opportunity to all Southwest Virginians to enjoy our region's outdoor experience, and I encourage residents to join me in celebrating the wonders of our region's trails on June 4th.

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/va09_boucher/trailsday05.html