SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 6

(By Senators Love and White)


Urging the Forest Service of the United States Department of Agriculture plan and develop recreational trails for off- highway vehicles in the Monongahela National Forest.

Whereas, One of the primary missions of our national forests is to provide recreational opportunities to our citizens; and
Whereas, Off-highway vehicle trails are among the many recreational opportunities commonly provided in many national forests throughout the United States; and
Whereas, The national forests in all the states surrounding West Virginia have established recreational trails for off-highway vehicles; and
Whereas, The Monongahela National Forest comprises over 909,000 acres in federal ownership in 10 counties in West Virginia, making it the fourth largest national forest in the northeast; and
Whereas, West Virginia has among the highest per capita ownership of off-highway vehicles, primarily all-terrain vehicles, in the United States and a high demand exists for recreational opportunities for owners of all-terrain vehicles; and
Whereas, The establishment of properly designed and managed public trails and recreational opportunities for off-highway vehicles has proven to enhance the safety of the recreation, while also enhancing tourism and economic development in local communities where these recreational opportunities are provided; and
Whereas, The Forest Service of the United States Department of Agriculture has demonstrated the capability and resources necessary to properly design and manage off-highway vehicle recreational opportunities throughout the United States; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby urges the Forest Service of the United States Department of Agriculture to plan and develop recreational trails for off-highway vehicles in the Monongahela National Forest; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture, the Chief of the Forest Service and the Supervisor of the Monongahela National Forest.