RidgeRIDER: coupling Abandoned Mine Reclamation with ATV use: Allegheny Ridge Corporation

project RIDGERIDER

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Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation

Environmentally Sensitive Trails

RidgeRIDER talk: Greenways / Blueways Conference - September 2001

Project Ridge RIDER Recieves DCNR Funding

Altoona, PA - Among the many recipients of state grants announced last Friday by Governor Tom Ridge is a unique project that is working to bring about a "win-win" resolution to the ongoing debate over motorized recreation in PA. $91,000 of state funds, in the form of two grants from the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), will support the efforts of Project Ridge RIDER, an initiative sponsored by the non-profit Allegheny Ridge Corporation. Ridge RIDER focuses on bringing about environmental restoration and economic revitalization through developing a system of multi-use, motorized recreation areas on abandoned mine lands in the bituminous coal fields of western PA.

"We have high hopes for Ridge RIDER, and we are very thankful for this vote of confidence." said Jane Sheffield, Executive Director for the Allegheny Ridge Corporation. "In Pennsylvania, we have abandoned mine lands which degrade water quality, we have citizens who buy dirt bikes and ATVs and discover they have very few legal places to ride them, and we have an opportunity to develop recreational amenities which encourage tourism and economic growth. Ridge RIDER targets all three of these issues simultaneously."

State funding for Ridge RIDER is being provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (PA DCNR). Invested funds will leverage additional private support for the project. $41,000 of the total grant amount will be provided by the Recreational Trails Program of DCNR, for the purpose of conducting ongoing education and outreach.

"Unfortunately," added Sheffield, "many people don't yet realize that there is no need for further discord between conservation-minded people and motorized-recreation enthusiasts in Pennsylvania. Ridge RIDER's outreach efforts will focus on encouraging people with different interests and outlooks to work together toward a shared set of goals." The flagship event of Ridge RIDER's outreach efforts will be a second annual Ridge RIDER Symposium, which will once again bring together conservationists, mine land remediation experts, motorized enthusiasts, and economic development interests to discuss the Ridge RIDER concept in a participatory forum which will be open to the public. This event will be scheduled for fall/winter of 2001.
The remaining $50,000 will be provided by the Community Conservation Partnership Program of DCNR. This grant will focus on developing a pilot site to showcase the Ridge RIDER concept in western PA. For this effort, Ridge RIDER will assemble an interdisciplinary task force which will make recommendations regarding site locations and designs, mine land reclamation strategies, and site management options. Information learned from the development of a pilot site will assist Ridge RIDER in creating a regional network of multi-use, motorized recreational areas primarily on abandoned mine lands.
Both grants are made possible, in part, through Gov. Ridges $650 million "Growing Greener" program-the state's largest-ever environmental investment. Sheffield reported that the Allegheny Ridge Corporation Board of Directors would like to express gratitude to DCNR for the timely and generous support of Ridge RIDER.

The Allegheny Ridge Corporation (ARCorp) is a private, non-profit corporation that develops, interprets, and preserves the historic and cultural resources of the Allegheny Ridge Heritage Area in central/western PA. ARCorp participates in the statewide Heritage Parks Program administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. END

Contact: Adam G. Mattis, Project Coordinator
Project Ridge RIDER
Allegheny Ridge Corporation
(814) 696-3983 / (814) 932-7668(Cell phone)