Mammoth Cave National Park - Comprehensive Trail Management Plan...

MCETRA Executive Committee met on January 26, 2008 to review and discuss the Comprehensive Trail Management Plan and the alternatives proposed by Mammoth Cave National Park. To read the full announcement click the link below.

Comprehensive Trail Management Plan full announcement - click here

The Park Service will be accepting written comments on the management plan until March 24th, 2008. You may submit via the web or by mail at:

Web Comments click here: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/commentForm.cfm?parkID=392&projectID=17179&documentId=21776

Email to: maca_ctmp@nps.gov

Written comments may also be submitted to:

Mammoth Cave National Park
Attn: Vickie Carson
P.O. Box 7
Mammoth Cave, KY 42259

 

Summary of MCETRA Executive Committee Meeting
Following the public forum presented by Mammoth Cave National Park Service and meeting with members of the Bicycle and Hiking clubs MCETRA would like to recommed that horse enthusiasts submit a written or online comment to the park service before March 24, 2008.

• Alternative 5 shows as Mammoth Cave National Park's "Prefered" alternative, however, this option would close First Creek Trail to all horses. This is a vital trail linking the Lincoln trailhead to the rest of the northside horse trails. This alternative would be devastating to the equestrian trail riders to Mammoth Cave and MCETRA strongly opposes this alternative.
• Alternative 4 is the most practical of all the proposals since it would develop a separate bicycle trail on the south side of the river and return the north side trails to horses and hikers. Although this alternative seems like a very expensive project, the Bowling Green League of Bicyclers believe that they can secure some grant funding and assistance in building a new trail.
• Alternatives 2 & 3 would open up Sal Hollow trail to horses, but would still be sharing them with bicyclists.

Please feel free to use any of the sample letters attached below. All letters are in Word Format. If you would like them in another form please feel free to contact Valerie Stokes - vstokes@scrtc.com.

There will be a General Membership meeting on Saturday March 8, 2008 at the Cave City Convention Center at 6:00 pm (CST).

 

Summary of Comprehensive Trail Management Plan

 

• Alternative #1: this is the No Action Alternative. It is required by National Environmental Policy Act to serve as a baseline for comparing other alternatives. In some cases the best solution to a problem is in taking no action, leaving a situation at the status quo. However, in this trail plan, the No Action Alternative is not acceptable.
• Alternative #2: this alternative would allow bicyclists to use Sal Hollow, Buffalo, and a portion of Turnhole Bend (north) trails all year. All northside trails would be designated for hikers and horse users.
• Alternative #3: this alternative would permit horse use on Sal Hollow from June through October (during the driest months of the year); except for this restriction, horses would be allowed on all other northside trails. Hikers are allowed on all trails. Bicyclists would be allowed on Sal Hollow, Buffalo, and a portion of Turnhole Bend (north) trails all year.
• Alternative #4: this alternative proposes a new six-mile, single-track loop trail which would be constructed east of the Green River Ferry Road-North for bicycle and hiker use only. All other northside trails would be designated for hikers and horse users. 
• Alternative #5: PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE: this alternative would establish First Creek Trail for bicyclist and hiker use only. All other north side trails would be designated for hikers and horse users.

 

Downloadable Letters to use for mailing (Word Documents)

Letter opposing alternative #5

Letter supporting alternative #4

Letter opposing alternative #5

 

 

 

 

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