HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 118

(By Delegates Boggs, Smith, Walker, Staggers, Perry, Pino, Talbott and Sigler)

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to conduct a feasibility study for a proposed multi-county ATV trail system in Central West Virginia.

    Whereas, The study area is to include the seven central West Virginia counties of Braxton, Clay, Gilmer, Lewis, Calhoun, Nicholas and Webster; and

    Whereas, These counties are very similar to the Hatfield-McCoy region in that their economic base has dwindled substantially, resulting in significant economic hardship, due to the loss of natural resource-based industry. Each area can benefit greatly from the successful introduction of well-managed recreational based tourism. Each area has vast networks of residual trail systems from natural resource extraction activities. Each region is located within a day’s drive of large population centers and in areas where there is a relative shortage of motorized trail-related opportunities; and

    Whereas, This provides a great opportunity for the successful development and expansion of motorized-use trails. These regions also include large areas of privately-owned land where well-managed trail facilities could exist without hurting the land owners interests; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to conduct a feasibility study for a proposed multi-county ATV trail system in Central West Virginia; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance shall work with the Rahall Appalachian Transportation Institute as they were instrumental in researching and developing the Hatfield-McCoy Regional Recreation Authority; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2012, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That any costs associated with any work conducted by the Rahall Appalachian Transportation Institute and any other expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.