Ansted Trail Project Selected For Participation In National Park Service Assistance Program

Ansted Trail Project Selected For Participation In National Park Service Assistance Program

U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) announced today that the Town of Ansted's planned trail project has been selected for participation in the National Park Service's Northeast Region's Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA).

As a participant in the program, the National Rivers Trail will receive technical assistance from the National Park Service to help develop a multi-use trail that would connect the New River Gorge National River and the Gauley National River with a new trail through the town of Ansted.

"That this project was selected from the most competitive field of requests that the program has ever received speaks highly of its potential to benefit southern West Virginia," Rahall said. "I commend the National Park Service for recognizing the merits of this project and look forward to working with all parties to make this trail a reality."

Pete Hobbs, Mayor of Ansted, echoed the Congressman's sentiments.

"If completed, the proposed trail should have a significant positive impact for visitors to the area, granting them seamless access to tourism assets in each of these public resources through a connecting trail system," Hobbs said. "I can't think of a more powerful team than one of a state, federal and local municipality working together with our local landowners for a common goal to improve and broaden service offerings for our own citizens and the visitors to the Fayette County area."

The RTCA program is a competitive program that helps create local, regional and state networks of parks, rivers, trails, greenways, and open spaces by collaborating with community partners and National Park units in every state.

Once completed, the trail will improve public access and usage of the facilities at Hawks Nest State Park, open the eastern-most areas of the New River Gorge National River, enhance possibilities for new and sustainable economic development for Ansted, optimize the use of all existing natural heritage and tourism resources, and allow the opportunity to link with existing trails on the southern bank of the Gauley River.

http://www.rahall.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=683&Itemid=38