2014 World Trail Conference. Developing And Administering Cross Boundary Trails. Laura Belleville Director of Conservation

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1 2014 World Trail Conference Developing And Administering Cross Boundary Trails Laura Belleville Director of Conservation

2 Appalachian Trail Conservancy- Non-profit partner for the Trail

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4 Overview A.T. History A.T. Agreements A.T. Management today International Appalachian Trail

5 Founder: Benton MacKaye (1921)

6 Cooperative Management System Cooperation replaces antagonism, trust replaces suspicion, emulation replaces competition. An Appalachian Trail, with its camps, communities, and spheres of influence along the skyline, should, with reasonably good management, accomplish these achievements. And they possess within them the elements of deep dramatic appeal. Benton MacKaye, October 1921

7 Trail Building Years ( )

8 Lobbing for a National Trails Act ( )

9 National Trails System Act of 1968

10 Land Protection (1978- now) A.T. Corridor links significant public lands: Traverses 75 State Parks. Crosses six national parks. Traverses eight national forests. Houses more than 2,000 occurrences of rare, threatened, endangered, and sensitive plant and animal species.

11 A Champion for Protection

12 Coordinating Acquisition A.T. Corridor links significant public lands: Traverses 75 State Parks. Crosses 6 national parks. Traverses 8 national forests.

13 Encouraging Cooperation Section 7(h) of the National Trail Act, which states, in part: the Secretary may enter into written cooperative agreements with the states or their political subdivisions, landowners, private organizations or individuals to operate, develop, and maintain any portion of a national scenic... trail, within or outside a federally administered area. The NSTA, as amended through March 30, 2009, is available:

14 Cooperative Management Partners

15 Primary A.T. Management Structure ATC Board of Directors (VOLUNTEER) Stewardship Council (VOLUNTEER) ATC Staff Regional Office ATC Staff Regional Office ATC Staff Regional Office ATC Staff Regional Office Regional Partnership Committee (VOLUNTEER) Regional Partnership Committee (VOLUNTEER) Regional Partnership Committee (VOLUNTEER) Regional Partnership Committee (VOLUNTEER)

16 Volunteers : Essential to Trail Management

17 Management Plans A.T. Comprehensive Plan 1981 (revised 1987) Management Policies Local Management Plans start 1991 A.T. Management zones in National Forest Plans and State lands (MOUs)

18 A Unique Approach. A.T. Comprehensive Plan Envisioned that much of the detailed policy direction would be developed by trail clubs and their agency partners at the local level.

19 Comprehensive Planning Today Long-term planning in the National Park System is intended to answer the question: What range of resource conditions and visitor experiences should be provided, and where?

20 Elements of a Comprehensive Plan Establishes how the trail will be developed and managed over a specific timeframe. Assesses potential impacts on natural and cultural resources Identifies the trail s significant places and stories and how to protect resources critical to the trail Defines management objectives and alternatives to meet those objectives Recommends a preferred alternative for managing the trail.

21 A Guide for the Process Two primary functions: To consolidate ATC and National Park Service (NPS) policies affecting Trail management into a single reference document for Trail clubs and cooperating agencies To answer questions on how to prepare a local management plan and what to include in a plan.

22 Why a Local Plan? November 20, 1981 Dave Richie ( early National Park Service A.T. Park Manager) to ATC: To my way of thinking, the local management planning process is the most logical way of bringing about the refinements and improvements in trail management we are seeking. I emphasize process because I attach less importance to the plans themselves.

23 Policies Policies and Volunteersit

24 State Agreements

25 State Agreements Roles and responsibilities of all management partners relevant to: Trail conditions Law enforcement Land acquisition Emergency services Fire, safety

26 State Agreements Conflict Resolution: Negotiations will be held at the local (field) level between affected Partners. The Partners intend to exhaust all practical means of conflict resolution at the local level before resorting to any further appeals process. Failing satisfactory resolution by negotiations at the local level: Regional Partnership Committee may be consulted; The issue may ultimately be handled through established agency and/or judicial review and appeals procedures.

27 International Appalachian Trail (IAT)

28 IAT Chapters 20 chapters Denmark England Faroe Islands France Greenland Iceland Ireland Isle of Man Maine Netherlands New Brunswick Newfoundland Labrador Norway Nova Scotia Prince Edward Island Quebec Scotland Spain Sweden Wales

29 Resolution nd annual New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers Conference the governors and premiers passed Resolution 32-6, concerning the International Appalachian Trail.

30 IAT and A.T.

31 Questions? Laura Belleville Director of Conservation www. Appalachiantrail.org