Paiute Trail Hatfield-McCoy Highwood Mountains
Located in Central Utah Main trail is 238 miles 550 miles of designated side trails Links 16 communities in 4 counties Ranges from 5,200 to 11,500 feet
Great Western Trail Fremont Trail Paunsagant Trail Pinchot Trail Arapien Trail Largest interconnected motorized system in country 2,500 miles
80% is ATVs 10% is Motorcycle 10% of use is horseback, hiker, mountain bike and full sized OHVs (jeeps)
Forest Service was closing routes to protect resources. Sportsmen wanted continued use of routes to favorite hunting and fishing spots. Tourism looking for destination recreation opportunities to draw people with money.
Create a motorized trail system to meet the needs of everyone The system would need to Protect natural resources Provide a high quality riding experience Connect communities Provide economic benefits to area
Forest Service & Bureau of Land Management Utah State Parks & Recreation 3 parks Economic Development 4 Counties 16 Communities Law Enforcement
Public Health OHV clubs and riding groups Business Fishlake Discovery Association Today there are over 50 active partners!
Sold idea to counties and communities Selected name and symbol Mapped system main trail side trails Marketing developed brochure & map can t ride Paiute without one Funding grants, donations, fund raisers Volunteers Paiute Trail Hosts Marked the routes signs and trail markers Win/Win solutions to problems proactive
Forest Service and BLM Trail System became a management tool
Sportsmen Access to Hunt, Fish, Camp, etc. Quantity and Quality Place to Ride
Forest Service & BLM State of Utah Local counties & towns They created: Dual-use roads, streets & trails for access to communities along the route. Gave riders access to food, fuel, lodgings & services.
All 50 States and beyond! 75% of 60,000 riders from outside the area Average rider spends $115 a day to ride
Boosted economy by $20,000,000 Highway 89 Paiute County Highway Use down 6% Room tax revenue up 20% Fewer cars more tourism $ s
Marysvale, mid 80 s 7 businesses Today 21 Paiute Trail
High quality OHV trail Provides environmental protection Economic engine for small Utah communities
Located in 9 Counties in Southern West Virginia
With the Decline of the Coal Industry: The counties had lowest average income in the nation (48% of the national average) Local communities were looking for tourism opportunities Local roads from mining and timber made OHV use a natural choice
Most of the land in the area is privately owned by coal and timber companies Had to create an organization to create and maintain a trail system
Legislation was passed in 1996 to create the Hatfield-McCoy Regional Trail Authority
The authority is a quasi-governmental agency that manages the trail system and is governed by a multi-county board of directors
The system opened in 2000 with 300 miles of trails 100 miles were added in 2002 100 miles added in 2004 100 miles added in 2009 Additional miles are planned
ATVs Off-Highway Motorcycles Side x Sides or ROVs Equestrians Mountain bikes Hikers
Crosses the property of over 200 different owners and lessees Land owners are not paid for the access Liability protection provided by Hatfield McCoy authority Guaranteed trail will not interfere with their land management
Comprised of 6 separate riding areas that range in size and level of difficulty Several riding areas are connected to each other Riding areas are connected to nearby communities
Annual fee from riders Appropriated State funds Recreational Trails Program grants
Trails are interconnected to the area communities Created entrepreneurial opportunities for businesses Created jobs for locals Pride in Community
Increase in output of nearly $8 million Income growth of $3 million 146 new jobs 125% return on appropriated money
Reduced trespass on private lands Provided jobs & economic benefits High quality, sustainable recreation opportunity
Lewis & Clark National Forest Fort Benton Great Falls Highwood Mtns. 35 miles east of Great Falls, in central Montana.
Open grasslands and gentle ridgelines 42,500 acre, island mountain range
Travel Management Planning started in May, 1989
Forest Service asked stake holders to inventory the trails they used OHV riders Hikers Equestrians Adjacent land owners County Commissioners And Others Engaged all in a collaborative effort
Trail heads were built or improved Trails were relocated, reconstructed, or improved
Signs were installed Wet areas were improved
Volunteer Assistance from The Great Falls Trail Bike Riders The C.M. Russell Backcountry Horsemen Youth Groups Eagle Scouts
Montana Off-Highway Vehicle grant program paid for work done by The Chief Mountain Hotshot crew Contractors
North Fork Highwood Creek Trailhead The only FS funded capital investment!
Results: Trail that is fun to ride Off trail use is very low User conflicts are rare
Incredible sense of ownership by OHV riders and Back Country Horsemen Cooperative trail projects 19 miles multiple-use trail adopted by motorcycle club 10 miles multiple-use trail & 8 miles stock trail adopted by BCH