Offered by: Representatives Howard of Cambridge, Jewett of Ripton, Bohi of Hartford, Brennan of Colchester, Burditt of West Rutland, Burke of Brattleboro, Corcoran of Bennington, Degree of St. Albans City, Eckhardt of Chittenden, Ellis of Waterbury, Helm of Fair Haven, Hooper of Montpelier, Howrigan of Fairfield, Jerman of Essex, Lanpher of Vergennes, Larocque of Barnet, Lorber of Burlington, McCullough of Williston, Olsen of Jamaica, Pearson of Burlington, Peaslee of Guildhall, Potter of Clarendon, Ram of Burlington, Shaw of Pittsford, Turner of Milton, Wilson of Manchester and Woodward of Johnson
Whereas, the Vermont Mountain Bike Association (VMBA) was formed in 1996 to promote mountain biking through education, planning, funding, and establishing and maintaining multi-use trails throughout Vermont, and
Whereas, promoting sensible trail use and the creation of community recreation trail networks for the health and benefit of local citizens and visitors are VMBA objectives, and
Whereas, similar to the Green Mountain Club and the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers, the VMBA is the corridor manager of mountain bike trails on state land and educates users on low-impact and healthy enjoyment of our public and private lands, and
Whereas, the VMBA encourages youth involvement in recreational activities and promotes healthy lifestyles and responsible outdoor recreation, and
Whereas, educating trail users on implementing successful public and private landowner relationships is an important priority for the VMBA, and
Whereas, the VMBA has sought to be a good neighbor and community member through responsible use of open lands, and it promotes a positive image of trail use through ongoing relationships with the United States Forest Service, the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, the Vermont Department
- 14 -of Forests, Parks and Recreation and many Vermont municipalities and private landowners, and
Whereas, the VMBA is a knowledge base for sustainable trail construction techniques and has sought to develop best practices through training of its individual chapter members and of businesses, landowners, and public organizations, now therefore be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives:
That the General Assembly recognizes the Vermont Mountain Bike Association’s important role in outdoor nonmotorized recreation, and be it further
Resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send a copy of this resolution to the Vermont Mountain Bike Association in Waterbury.
The US Forest Service working with local group
to expand mountain biking in Vermont
Goshen, VT – The United States Forest Service (USFS) announced that through their partnerships with the Vermont Mountain Bike Association (VMBA) and the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC), they will be allocating approximately $154,000 in 2011 towards trail improvement activities that will include developing increased mountain bike access in the Green Mountain National Forest.
The funds, being allocated through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will be used to create a nine-mile loop trail that will begin and end at the Silver Lake Campground in Goshen, Vermont. This trail work will take place in the popular Moosalamoo National Recreation Area, a congressionally designated area within the National Forest. The trail will also be accessible from the Blueberry Hill Ski Center in Goshen and from Branbury State Park. VMBA will provide the on-the-ground project management and oversight of VYCC trail crews for 22 weeks to perform the rigorous work of building mountain bike trails.
"The Forest Service is enhancing mountain biking opportunities where it is sustainable and compatible with other activities. Diversifying recreation opportunities increases public use of federal land; engages our youth in enjoying the outdoors; and helps drive economic activity,” said Holly Knox, Green Mountain National Forest, Northern Zone Trails Coordinator.
"We have been partnering with the USFS for three years on this project - we sawgood progress in 2010, through the hard work of VYCC crews, and we are delighted with this funding allocation for 2011”, said Patrick Kell, VMBA Executive Director. “We expect to see the Chandler Ridge-Leicester Hollow Loop Trail completed or close to it, by fall 2011. A big thanks to the USFS for their vision in developing this trail", Kell added.
The new trail will offer a popular and unique destination, due to the combination of trail sections along the shore of Silver Lake, a ridgeline trail with panoramic western vistas on Chandler Ridge, lush vegetation and fascinatinggeology in Leicester Hollow, and camping facilities at Silver Lake campground, with access from Branbury State Park.
Megan Smith, Commissioner at the Vermont Department of Tourism stated "Mountain bike tourism is the perfect fit for our Vermont Brand. It encompasses the use of our natural landscape while promoting good health and family fun. As we expand our venues for mountain biking we will be contributing to local economies in areas that might not have already had a focus on outdoor recreation therefore bringing in new types of business."
The tourism industry has been one of the more consistent economic drivers in the state during the recent economic downturn. Visitors to the state provide a great deal of tax revenue as well assupport small business throughout Vermont.