During Wednesday’s County Commission Meeting, Fayette County joined Raleigh, Greenbrier and Summers counties by agreeing to enter into Phase 1 of seven-county, non-motorized trail authority proposed by President of the Mountain State Trail Alliance, Bill Wells.
The Mountain State Trail Alliance is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to building regional trail systems across its current seven-county footprint, which includes Raleigh, Kanawha, Fayette, Nicholas, Webster, Greenbrier and Summers counties.
Wells shared that the idea to develop the trail authority came after the state legislature authorized the creation of multi-county, non-motorized trail authorities in Senate Bill 317, which was passed in 2019.
Last year, Wells spoke to each of the county commissions, all of which appointed one representative to collectively form a steering committee. This committee met once a month from April of 2020 to Dec. of 2020 to create a model that each county can follow if they choose to enter into phase I of the project. This model includes a suggested budget, allocations for the budget, recommended bylaws, etc.
According to Wells, if formed, the Trail Alliance will be responsible for creating and maintaining non-motorized trails- non-motorized trails can include walking trails, biking trails, equestrian trails, etc.- promoting activism for trail maintenance, and establishing trail regulations.
“Our hope is to connect the communities of these seven counties with trails,” Wells said. “People can ride or hike from one community to another. It would encourage tourism, as well as economic development. If we had a trail system that connected the communities in every one of these seven counties, someone could come to West Virginia, ride for a week, and stay in a different town every night.”
Wells said a regional trail system would also promote the health and wellbeing of southern West Virginia residents.
In addition to promoting tourism and a healthy lifestyle within the state, the trail authority would offer superior landowner liability protection again claims for landowners who agree to allow the authority to build and maintain trails on their property. It would also allow for large companies to enter into licensing agreements with the authority.
“This is going to be structured or set up similar to the Hatfield-McCoy Motorized Trail Authority,” Wells shared. “That authority has been very successful in bringing economic development into West Virginia. Large land companies in southern West Virginia have entered into licensing agreements with the Hatfield-McCoy Trail Authority, and we are hoping to enter into agreements as well.”
There is no financial commitment for the counties to enter into phase I of the project. After entering into phase I, each county will appoint two board members: one who lives on land that can be utilized by the trail authority and another who has a background in recreation and tourism.
Once each county appoints its board members, these individuals will approve a set of bylaws, establish a budget, and allocate that budget. The board does not have to use the recommendations of the steering committee, which were simply created as a guideline.
Wells told Lootpress that the Steering Committee recommended the first year of funding sit at $117,000, although the official board will have the final say. This amount will cover the cost of salary for an executive director, operating costs and the establishment of trails.
Wells plans to approach the state legislature for funding and says the alliance will apply for grants to lessen the financial load on each county.
“Once we know how many counties are entering into phase I, we can look for outside funding sources. Once we know those sources and know what is remaining as far as funding, we can go back to each county commission and say what the actual amount will be for the first year. At that time, the commission can vote to join and enter phase II, and the authority will officially be formed, or they can vote no.”
During Tuesday’s meeting, the Raleigh County Commission agreed to enter into phase I.
“I think this will definitely bring in more tourism and recreation,” said Commission President Dave Tolliver. “People are using trails a lot more for exercise and to see the beauty of the landscape. We will see where it comes and see what they come up with.”
Wells shared his excitement for the authority, stating it could be a wonderful opportunity for the state.
“We have been working on this for a year, and we are very excited to see it happen. This is going to be a continual project, and we will try to expand and improve every year, but that depends on funding and the ability to get the landowner’s agreement to use their property. We think it will greatly benefit West Virginia.”
Wells is scheduled to propose the idea to the Webster County Commission Wednesday afternoon, the Kanawha County Commission on Thursday and the Nicholas County Commission in March. He feels confident that the remaining three counties will also agree to enter into phase I.
Visit www.nrgta.org for more information on the Mountain State Trail Alliance.
