Proposal would link ATV trails

STAFF WRITER

WILLIAMSON, W.Va. - A proposed project would link the existing sections of the Hatfield-McCoy Trails System in Mingo County and the Mingo County Commission has pledged its assistance in funding the endeavor.

Hatfield-McCoy Regional Recreation Authority Board of Directors member George Poole addressed the commission during its regular meeting Wednesday. Poole first explained to the commissioners that the state had cut funding to the trails system and HMRRA board members are asking the commissions for each of the eight counties in the authority to right letters of support to their state representatives. Poole said that although the HMTS brings 25,000 people and $7.8 million to the region annually, the state has cut funding to the organization from $500,000 to $100,000.

“Why?” asked Commissioner Greg K. “Hootie” Smith, calling the trails system “one of the best things in West Virginia.”

“We're at a loss, too,” Poole replied.

Commission President John Mark Hubbard said that not only would the commission send a letter to Mingo County's senators and delegates, a copy of the letter would be sent to Gov. Joe Manchin.

“This is unbelievable,” Hubbard said.

“This sounds like the race track,” Smith added, referring to the state's refusal to make good on funding for Mingo County's Twin Branch Motorsports Complex.

Poole thanked the commissioners for their support and then told them about a project he is currently working on to connect the town of Matewan's section of HMTS trails to that of Gilbert, W.Va.

Poole said that the connection would allow people entering the trails in Williamson or Delbarton, W.Va. to travel to Matewan and then on to Gilbert and vice versa. Eventually, Poole said the existing systems will link up with Kermit, W.Va., when its trails system is developed.

Poole said the project is still in the mapping process, but he expects there to be nearly 120 miles of continuous trails in the county once the project is complete.

“This will be a state-of-the-art trails system,” Poole said.

Poole said the project will cost an estimated $100,000. He explained that Recreational Trails Program grant funding can pay for 80 percent of the cost and asked if the county commission would help with the other 20 percent.

“I hope the residents of our county know the significance of what the Hatfield-McCoy trails have done for us,” Hubbard said, sharing a story of coincidentally meeting a visitor to Mingo County's trails during a recent trip to Georgia. Hubbard said the tourist was very complimentary to the trails system and the county.

Poole said the project would require very little dozer work and could be completed very quickly.

Hubbard told Poole that the commission would assist with the project when the time comes. Smith and Commissioner David Baisden agreed.