SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 94
(By Senators Love, Ross, Dempsey, Sharpe,
Hunter, Facemyer,
Boley, Weeks, Deem and Rowe)
Urging the Forest Service Division 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 Division 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 Division
of the United States Department of Agriculture 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 and the Supervisor of
the Monongahela National Forest.