FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 26, 2009
Q: What is the New England National Scenic Trail (NENST)?
A: The New England National Scenic Trail travels through Massachusetts and Connecticut and includes large parts of the existing Metacomet-Monadnock-Mattabesett (MMM) Trail System. It also includes an extension to Long Island Sound and a significant deviation from the MMM Trail route in Massachusetts to an area with more protected land. The route will cover about 220 miles in the two states. It is one of the first National Scenic Trails designated in 26 years, and is the only National Scenic Trail that lies entirely in New England.
Q: What is the proposed route of the trail?
A: A National Park Service (NPS) map of the proposed route can be viewed at: www.outdoors.org/pdf/upload/nps-map-ne-trail.pdf.
Q: Why is New England National Scenic Trail designation important, and what specific changes will result?
A: National Scenic Trail designation provides the following benefits:
- Opportunity for administrative and financial support, which will be dependent on federal appropriations and could include:
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- Federal funds to buy land from willing sellers to permanently protect public access. The NPS will not own land along the Trail, but instead will partner with local public and non-profit organizations for the Trail’s protection and management.
- Part-time staff to provide technical assistance in managing the Trail and maintaining regular communications among stakeholders, including website maintenance and meeting coordination, and to provide public information on the Trail.
- Resources for completion of the final route in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
- Formation of a Stewardship Council to implement Blueprint for Management
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- The formalized Stewardship Council, including representation from landowners, would prioritize next steps in implementing the Blueprint for Management. Local organizations (Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) and the Connecticut Forest & Park Association) will continue to maintain the Trail. With this continued focus on local trail management, there will not be an immediate, discernible difference in the on-the-ground management of the Trail, but overall management over the long-term is expected to improve through the work of the Stewardship Council with federal assistance authorized through the National Scenic Trail designation. The NPS will not own or manage any lands under the authority of the National Scenic Trail designation, and no segment of the New England National Scenic Trail will be recognized as such against the wishes of the landowner.
- The Council is intended to serve as an advisory board representing the interests of different trail stakeholders working together to implement the Blueprint for Management. The AMC and the Connecticut Forest & Park Association will collaborate with local partners and communities in managing the Trail and coordinating use of any federal funds as part of the Stewardship Council.
- The Trail Management Blueprint is the framework for management and administering the New England National Scenic Trail that was contained in the NPS feasibility study and addresses critical landowner issues. Many of the Blueprint actions will be dependent on funding. Example provisions include:
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- Establish a system for ongoing communication with landowners.
- Establish a "liability protection fund" and explore additional options for liability protection.
- All existing landowner uses and rights will continue to be at the discretion of the landowner.
- No specific trail system corridor is required or established.
Q: Why is NST designation necessary for the future protection of the MMM Trail?
A: The future of the entire MMM Trail System is in question due to a variety of factors—most notably pressure from development and the lack of resources to maintain constant communication with private landowners, states, users, and local land trusts. Under NST designation, AMC volunteers will continue their efforts to maintain the Trail in Massachusetts, but since no single entity is truly able to implement strategies to ensure the long-term viability and protection of the Trail in both Massachusetts and Connecticut, federal financial and technical assistance is critical.
Q: How does this bill respond to landowner concerns about National Scenic Trail designation?
A: The bill emphasizes local partnership among stakeholders, including landowners, and provides the opportunity to boost local capacity for the management and protection of a trail that is both regionally and nationally significant.
AMC commends the NPS for responding to the recommendations of landowners, trail maintainers, users, and other stakeholders throughout the study process. The proposed rerouting of the existing MMM Trail System in Massachusetts is responsive to landowner concerns. There is a strong and effective history of partnership and local collaboration in building and maintaining the trail. With funding, the Trail Management Blueprint would bolster local capacity through financial and administrative assistance from the NPS. The Stewardship Council created by this bill will maintain constant communication with private landowners, states, users, and local land trusts.
Q. What is status of the Trail re-route in Massachusetts?
A. The proposed New England National Scenic Trail includes a deviation from the existing MMM Trail route in Massachusetts. The AMC and the Massachusetts Dept. of Conservation and Recreation have been in the process of identifying the new portion of the Trail route, which will cross more State lands. Once the final route is identified, the AMC and DCR will designate portions that are existing paths and undertake the process of any necessary new construction.
Q: What is the future of the New Hampshire section of the MMM Trail System?
A: The Trails Committee of the AMC Berkshire Chapter will continue to coordinate the maintainers of the New Hampshire section of trail. The bill encourages the NPS to work with the state of New Hampshire and local organizations on the possible extension of National Scenic Trail designation to the New Hampshire portion of the MMM Trail System.
Q: Do you anticipate that the number of trail users will increase as a result of NST designation?
A: Usage is difficult to forecast. However, the Trail’s proximity and accessibility to significant population areas is a key characteristic of the Trail which, according to the feasibility study, makes the MMM Trail System worthy of NST designation.
Q: What is AMC’s position on trail use by snowmobiles, equestrians, and ATVs?
A: The AMC supports the current policy through which the states regulate trail usage on public lands, while private landowners individually determine what is permitted on stretches of trail that traverse their properties.
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