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Pennsylvania's Millennium Legacy Trail:The Pittsburgh-Harrisburg Mainline Canal Greenway Introduction |
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Murtha Announces National Trail Legislation April 7, 2003 FARMINGTON-- U.S. Rep. John Murtha today announced that he has introduced legislation in the 108th Congress directing the National Park Service to do a study that could lead to National Scenic Trail status for hiking and bicycling trails across Southwestern Pennsylvania and surrounding states. "We have a fantastic trail network developing all across this region that is becoming a major attraction for tourists as well as a terrific quality-of-life asset that makes our region more attractive as a business location," Murtha said. "I don't think there's any question that this trail network will qualify for inclusion in the National Trail System, it's just a question of how many trails should come under this designation." Murtha made the announcement during the Fayette County Tourism Summit held today at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. The longest multi-purpose rail-trail in the East - the Great Allegheny Passage - passes through Fayette County, and the Sheepskin Trail in Fayette County may also be included. Murtha's legislation, H.R. 1520, is called the Forks of the Ohio Trail Study Act. It calls on the Park Service to consider including historical transportation routes such as those used by George Washington and British and French troops traveling from Maryland and Canada to the Forks of the Ohio River in the era of the War for Empire, as well as canal and railroad routes, many of which are being converted into rail-trails. Included in the study will be: · The Great Allegheny Passage-Cumberland and Pittsburgh Trail linking Cumberland and Pittsburgh with a spur to Pittsburgh International Airport. · The Pennsylvania Mainline Canal Greenway linking Pittsburgh with Harrisburg along the Allegheny, Kiskiminetas, Conemaugh, Juniata and Susquehanna Rivers. · Trails up the Allegheny River and its tributaries, including
the Armstrong, Allegheny River and Justus Trails. · The Ghost Town and Hoodlebug Trails, which will provide a bicycling route for Mainline Canal Greenway through trekkers around Conemaugh Gap and Packsaddle Gap, where construction of a bicycle trail may be problematic. "Consider our three main trails - one along the Mon, Yough and Casselman Rivers that will connect to Washington, DC, one up the Allegheny River to Northern Pennsylvania, and another out the Kiski and Conemaugh Rivers, over the ridge at Allegheny-Portage National Railroad and then along the Juniata and Susquehanna Rivers to Harrisburg. We think each of these trails would qualify for inclusion in the National Trails System by itself. But by looking at the entire network, it's hard to imagine a more exciting off-road hiking and biking system anywhere in the world." The National Park Service must do a study to verify that the trails meet criteria for designation as a National Scenic Trail or National Historic Trail. Public input would be considered in assessing which trails to include in the designation. Once designated, the trail system would be eligible for a small annual appropriation and technical and other assistance from the National Park Service, and it would have the prestige of being part of the nation's premier trail program. Murtha said the trails are tremendous regional assets because they provide excellent opportunities for residents to get exercise and relax, which is good for health; they improve quality of life, which is increasingly important in efforts to attract new high-tech industry; and they attract tourists who spend money that is a substantial contributor to the regional economy. Murtha said the national designation would help trail users recognize the region's role in the War for Empire and in the development of transportation, coal mining, steel making and other industries. Murtha initially introduced this legislation last September, but was too late in the legislative session to get passed and had to be introduced again in the new session. Contact:
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