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Metacomet, Mattabesett, and Monadnock National Trail Study
hikers

Metacomet-Monadnock-Mattabesett Trail Study Act of 2001


 
In 2002, the United States Congress authorized the National Park Service to conduct a study of the  Metacomet-Monadnock-Mattabesett Trail System as a possible candidate for inclusion in America's National Trails system.

 The NPS Draft report and recommendations are now available.  They may be downloaded from the MMM Scenic Trail Study web Site. (see above)
The CFPA Board of Directors and the CFPA Trails Committee has strongly endorsed the findings of the National Park service draft report on the designation of the Metacomet-Monadnock-Mattabesett Trail System as a National Scentic Trail.



RESOLUTION ON NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL DESIGNATION

WHEREAS, the National Park Service has published its draft report on the
Metacomet-Monadnock-Mattabesett Trail System  National Scenic Trail
Feasibility Study and Environmental Assessment; and

WHEREAS, the primary and secondary goals of this study, as stated in
Public Law 107-338, are, respectively, to determine the best way to
ensure the long-term viability of a continuous public-use trail system
from Long Island Sound through Connecticut to the Massachusetts/New
Hampshire border, and to determine whether or not designation as a
National Scenic Trail makes sense as a means of achieving the primary
goal of long-term trail system viability; and

WHEREAS, the National Park Service has considered four alternative means
of achieving these goals, and has concluded that the preferred
alternative is designation of the Metacomet and Mattabesett Trails in
Connecticut and the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail in Massachusetts as a
National Scenic Trail, including a significant reroute in the
Belchertown-Leverett area of Massachusetts.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut Forest & Park
Association does hereby endorse this preferred alternative of National
Scenic Trail designation of the Metacomet and Mattabesett Trails in
Connecticut and the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail in Massachusetts,
including the significant reroute in the Belchertown-Leverett area of
Massachusetts; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Connecticut Forest & Park Association
recommends that the National Park Service recommend the same in its
final report to Congress.
 

Background
Nov 22, 2002 CFPA press release.

The Connecticut Forest & Park Association is very pleased to announce that Congress has passed the Metacomet-Monadnock-Mattabesett Trail Study Act of 2001. 

The Metacomet and Mattabesett Trails were established by the Connecticut Forest and Park Association (“CFPA”) in 1931.  They have been maintained ever since with the labor of dedicated CFPA volunteers and the cooperation of civic-minded landowners.  They run through central Connecticut, generally along the trap-rock ridges, and are a part of the 700-mile Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail System that CFPA volunteers maintain.  A goal of CFPA, and a goal of this bill, is to ultimately create a trail that leads all the way to Long Island Sound.  The Metacomet-Monadnock trail runs through central Massachusetts and would link to the northern end of the Metacomet Trail.  Together the three trails measure roughly 180 miles.

This is a very significant piece of legislation and demonstrates just what a treasure the Metacomet and Mattabesett Trails are.  This legislation will authorize the National Park Service to conduct a two- to three-year feasibility study to determine whether these trails should become a National Scenic Trail.  National Scenic Trails were established by the National Trail System Act in 1968.  National Scenic Trails provide for outdoor recreation and the conservation and enjoyment of significant scenic, historic, natural or cultural qualities.  There are only a handful of National Scenic Trails across the nation, including such trails as the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide Trails.

Establishing a new national scenic trail is typically a four-step process, which takes on average, approximately 10 years. This legislation would fund an initial investigation of whether creating a National Scenic Trail is physically possible and financially feasible.  If the findings of the study are positive, new legislation would be required.

The Connecticut Forest and Park Association worked closely with Congressman John Olver (D MA) who introduced the original bill HR 1814, and co-sponsor Congresswoman Nancy Johnson, to get the legislation through the House. Senator Joseph Lieberman helped to steer this legislation through the Senate in the last hours of the past session.

CFPA cites the legislative aides of Congresswoman Johnson, Congressman Olver and Senator Lieberman for their diligence in making this a reality.

Adam R. Moore, Executive Director of the Connecticut Forest and Park Association states, “The Metacomet and Mattabesett Trails are exceptionally scenic.  They run along the trap rock ridges that form the spine of Connecticut.  From some points, you can look one way and see Long Island Sound and look the other and see Mt. Tom in Massachusetts.  We have maintained these trails since 1931 with the hard work of our trail volunteers and the good will of the property owners along the trails.  The Metacomet and Mattabesett Trails are very dear to CFPA and we look forward to working on the study.”

CFPA volunteers have mapped the entire length of each trail using a Global Positioning System unit and CFPA staff has used this information to create GIS maps of each trail.  CFPA credits its trail volunteers, going back to 1931, for their devotion to the Metacomet and Mattabesett Trails, and credits staff members Ann Colson and Patty Pendergast for their hard work on the passage of this bill.  For more information contact Executive Director Adam Moore at 860-346-2372.

Also read congressional testimony presented by Ann Colson, CFPA's Director of Volunteers & Trails Coordinator

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