Four options presented for New River Gorge

Steve Keenan

FAYETTEVILLE — Depending on a final decision by National Park Service personnel on the alternative concept it chooses, the 72,189 acres within the authorized boundary of the New River Gorge National River could take on a rather new face in the next couple of decades.

At the latest in a series of meetings concerning the revision of the park’s General Management Plan, visitors were briefed on four preliminary alternative concepts of managing the park in coming years.

In addition to an option that would take the stand-pat approach, consultant Liz Clarke outlined three other concepts: 1) a themed gorge segment, which would place cultural resources and interpretive emphasis in the north (industrial) and south (farmstead) sections of the corridor, and leave the middle section as “backcountry,” offering visitors a primitive outdoor experience; 2) a through park connection, which would unify the park by creating a north-south connection via improved scenic roads and trails at or near the river. That would include expanded visitor access to the middle portion; and 3) river gateways and rim-to-river experiences, which would offer improved services and identity at river gateway communities, as well as embrace a rim-to-river experience.

Responding to a question from the audience, park Superintendent Cal Hite called the alternatives “very conceptual” and said, in the end, that public and NPS input could result in a final approach which is a combination of the three.

In response to a more specific query, Hite said the northern end of the park wasn’t targeted to accommodate the industrial theme concept at the expense of outdoor opportunities. He said, if it is approved, it won’t “take away from outdoor recreational activities” such as rafting and climbing.

Previous public meetings were held in January, March and May. Those centered on issues such as water quality, availability of recreational opportunities, river access and protection of natural resources.

This week’s gatherings, like those, were to further cement input on what the public wants and doesn’t want to see happen in and around the gorge. The GMP was last updated in 1982.

The meeting also addressed the Nuttallburg Implementation Plan. Clarke outlined several options for that historically significant former mining town and its surrounding area. They included creating recreational trails that would make hiking or bicycle loops possible, or a rim-to-rim system of trails. Much of that work would depend on available funding.

While the NPS is using a $2 million appropriation to stabilize the Nuttallburg Mine, Hite said there were no cost estimates yet on the proposed alternatives.

While possible park boundary adjustment and further land acquisition were mentioned Thursday at the Lafayette Post 149 American Legion Hall, Hite said those hot-button issues will probably be discussed more in depth during the next round of meetings.

The NPS plans to issue draft documents in early 2007, followed by another set of meetings. Officials hope to see approval and begin implementation of the GMP by next summer.

For more information or to make a suggestion concerning the alternative concepts or the GMP itself, visit www.nps.gov/neri, or submit written comments to: Calvin Hite, Superintendent, New River Gorge National River, P.O. Box 246, Glen Jean, WV 25846.

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skeenan@fayettetribune.com