Trail Project Public Comment

NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD ON EA FOR LOCAL TRAIL PROJECT
The Heart of the Highlands Trail Project in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, is proposing to develop a 1-mile multi-use trail parallel to the Blackwater River in the central portion of Canaan Valley, located in eastern Tucker County. The new trail would be part of The Heart of the Highlands Trail System Project, the goal of which is to connect non-motorized, multi-use trail systems of five land agencies in Tucker County into a comprehensive, sustainable, multi-use trail system that is accessible to the public. The 1-mile trail segment will function as part of a 20-plus mile core loop that will connect existing trail systems on the partner properties of: Blackwater Falls State Park, Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Canaan Valley State Park, Little Canaan Wildlife Management Area, Monongahela National Forest and National Youth Science Foundation. The purpose of the proposed trail is to increase public access to trails in an area of the Refuge in which they are limited and to upgrade/extend the trail system by rehabilitating Hemlock Spur Trail and constructing Upland Trail. Construction of the proposed trail will connect the Beall Trails and the Middle Valley Trails via the existing Blackwater View Trail.
An environmental assessment on the proposed project has been completed and is available for public review at the U.S. FWS Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center/Administrative Offices July 15-22 Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Individuals with questions may contact the Refuge by calling 304-866-3858, ext. 26.
Individuals wishing to submit comments on the environmental assessment should mail written comments to: Ron Hollis, Refuge Manager, Canaan Valley NWR, 6263 Appalachian Hwy, Davis, WV 26260 or email them to: [email protected].
Note: Individuals who submit comments that include their address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information should be aware that their entire comment – including the identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. Those submitting comments may request that their personal identifying information be withheld; however, the Heart of the Highlands Trail Project and CVNWR cannot guarantee that they will be able to comply with the request.