Bill > SB487

This bill, the West Virginia Trails, Access, and Stewardship Act, establishes a comprehensive framework for the development, maintenance, and management of a statewide system of non-motorized land and water trails, recognizing their importance for economic development and quality of life. It creates the West Virginia Trail Authority, an independent state entity responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing this system, which will include various types of trails such as hiking, biking, equestrian, and water trails, with a focus on accessibility and safety. The bill emphasizes the importance of stewardship, which includes habitat protection, flood recovery, and long-term maintenance, and establishes a dedicated funding source, the West Virginia Trail Maintenance and Stewardship Fund, to support these efforts through various revenue streams like lodging taxes and voluntary fees. Importantly, the act prioritizes voluntary agreements for acquiring trail corridors on private land, strictly limits the use of eminent domain to public safety necessities, and explicitly states that it will not interfere with existing regulations for whitewater outfitters, ensuring that the growth of the trail system respects private property rights and traditional outdoor uses.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=487&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill