Saturday, February 19, 2011

End of Survey Period

The Forest Service and West Virginia University thank you for your interest in this project. The survey period is now closed. Please send comments or questions regarding the trail management plan to: Monongahela National Forest, 200 Sycamore Street, Elkins, WV 26241, (304) 636-1800 or use the contact link on the MNF website http://fs.usda.gov/mnf

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Greetings!

The Monongahela National Forest (MNF) is seeking your input regarding trails on the Forest. The Forest is in the process of developing a trails plan for non-motorized recreation opportunities. This plan will help us determine trail maintenance priorities for the next several years. Your comments are critical to ensure information about the trails on the Forest is not overlooked.


The Forest started working on a trails planning process several years ago, including a 2-day workshop with a number of trail users. Recently, with the passage of the Public Lands Management Act of 2009, the Monongahela National Forest was directed by Congress to develop a plan for nonmotorized trail opportunities on the Forest (Public Law 111-11, Section 1004).


Since the Forest has approximately 860 miles of system trails, it would be very difficult for individuals to have ample time to comment in a traditional couple hour public meeting. To provide sufficient time for interested parties to provide input, The MNF has partnered with West Virginia University (WVU) to provide an interactive website. Through this website, you can view current information regarding the trail on the Forest and provide comments regarding the Trail Management Objectives.


The MNF and WVU hope you find this website user friendly.



How to use this site

*This site contains two distinct interactive features; a survey, and supplemental interactive maps which will help you complete your survey. We have chosen Google Earth as the tool to develope our interactive maps because of its features and ease of use. However, it must be noted that in order to view the maps you must either have Google Earth installed on your computer, or you must download the Google Earth plug-in when it prompts you to do so on the map viewing window. It should also be noted that because of certain restrictions on Internet browsing at places of work and business, you may not be able to access or download the software needed to view the maps. We encourage your continued participation in this project by downloading the Google Earth software if you do not already have it.
*Google Earth can be downloaded for free from http://www.google.com/earth/index.html *


·Each District is represented by its own map. The trail system is much too big to fit all on one map.

·Please click the link under the Ranger District headings to view the corresponding district map. *It may be easiest to right click the link and open the map in a new tab or new browser window.

·A pop-up screen is associated with each trail. This screen lists what is CURRENTLY listed as the trail management objective for each trail. The Forest does not feel this information is very accurate and needs your input. Specifically, the Designed Use, Managed Use, and Trail Class for each trail needs to be reviewed (definitions are provided in a separate page under the "Pages" heading in the top right corner of the main blog page).

* Please submit a separate survey for each trail to which you plan to make recommendations. This survey relates only to trails you have personally used. Please pick only trails you have personally used.

*If the survey does not load completely on this page, please open the survey by clicking the "Survey" page link in the upper right-hand corner of this page. If you continue to have problems with the survey please contact the WVU graduate student, at ewillia83@gmail.com, to receive copies of the survey by mail or electronic mail.





Current condition

·All trails on the Forest have a Designed Use and Managed Use of Hiker/Pedestrian (except the West Fork Rail Trail has a Designed Use and Managed Use of Bicycle).
·All other uses (Hiker/Pedestrian (HP), Pack and Saddle (PS), Bicycle (B)) are considered Allowed Uses.


Problem

·Uses which require higher design requirements are not being managed.
·Some trails are not properly located due to soils types and slope, based on the Allowed Uses which are occurring, but not being managed for.
·Some trails receive little to no use and could be removed from the system, but replaced in different locations which need more loop opportunities.

Cheat Ranger District Trails

http://www.google.com/gadgets/directory?synd=earth&hl=en&gl=en&preview=on&url=http://maps.google.com/maps/gx?oe%3Dutf-8%26output%3Dghapi%26q%3Dhttps://sites.google.com/site/mnftrailssite/mnf-google-earth-trails/cheat_trails810.kmz?attredirects%253D0%2526d%253D1

Gauley Ranger District Trails

http://www.google.com/gadgets/directory?synd=earth&hl=en&gl=en&preview=on&url=http://maps.google.com/maps/gx?oe%3Dutf-8%26output%3Dghapi%26q%3Dhttps://sites.google.com/site/mnftrailssite/mnf-google-earth-trails/gauley_trails810.kmz?attredirects%253D0%2526d%253D1

Greenbrier Ranger District Trails

http://www.google.com/gadgets/directory?synd=earth&hl=en&gl=en&preview=on&url=http://maps.google.com/maps/gx?oe%3Dutf-8%26output%3Dghapi%26q%3Dhttps://sites.google.com/site/mnftrailssite/mnf-google-earth-trails/greenbrier_trails810.kmz?attredirects%253D0%2526d%253D1

Marlinton Ranger District Trails

http://www.google.com/gadgets/directory?synd=earth&hl=en&gl=en&preview=on&url=http://maps.google.com/maps/gx?oe%3Dutf-8%26output%3Dghapi%26q%3Dhttps://sites.google.com/site/mnftrailssite/mnf-google-earth-trails/marlinton_trails810.kmz?attredirects%253D0%2526d%253D1

Potomac Ranger District Trails

http://www.google.com/gadgets/directory?synd=earth&hl=en&gl=en&preview=on&url=http://maps.google.com/maps/gx?oe%3Dutf-8%26output%3Dghapi%26q%3Dhttps://sites.google.com/site/mnftrailssite/mnf-google-earth-trails/potomac_trails810.kmz?attredirects%253D0%2526d%253D1