SENATE RESOLUTION 43

(By Senator Maynard)

[Introduced April 6, 2021]

Requesting the construction of a licensed off-highway vehicle, semi-contiguous trail to parallel the Appalachian Hiking Trail on the western side.

Whereas, The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis shows that the outdoor recreation economy accounted for 2.2 percent ($412 billion) of current-dollar GDP in 2016; and

Whereas, In 2017, Backcountry Discovery Routes generated $17.3 million in new tourism expenditures, with the average traveling party spending $3,769 per trip; and

Whereas, The construction of a licensed off-highway vehicle (OHV), semi-contiguous trail to parallel the Appalachian Hiking Trail on the western side connecting existing OHV trails, and off-road parks where possible, would bring in significant tourism dollars. The proposed trail should enter West Virginia in the southern part of the state and exit in the Potomac Highlands; and

Whereas, The Senate believes that the OHV trail will generate much needed economic stimulus to the state, create new jobs, and increase tax revenue; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby requests the construction of a licensed off-highway vehicle, semi-contiguous trail to parallel the Appalachian Hiking Trail on the western side; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the construction of a licensed off-highway vehicle, semi-contiguous trail to parallel the Appalachian Hiking Trail on the western side can be supported by all West Virginians; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Governor and the state legislatures of the states where the Appalachian Trail traverses, including: Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine with the addition of Alabama, which lies to the west of Georgia and the trail.