New River Gorge
Climbing Mangement Plan

November 2000 Newsletter

Dear Friends:

You are invited to participate in the climbing management planning for New River Gorge National River in West Virginia. The New River Gorge National River offers some of the best and most diverse climbing in the United States. Though the climbing focus may be on the walls of sandstone that provides so many great routes, this park contains a variety of visitor uses and a diversity of resources. Among the many resources are the scenery, plant and animal life, streams and rivers, historic and archeological sites, and cliffs. Each year, over 1.6 million people visit the three park sites administered here. They come to the Bluestone National Scenic River, Gauley River National Recreation Area, and New River Gorge National River for the spectacular scenery and rich history, as well as to go fishing, hiking, boating, mountain biking, camping and climbing. The rapid growth of climbing activity in this park over the past ten to fifteen years has put substantial pressure on the climbing resources. Increased use of trails and climbing sites has damaged soils and vegetation, often with a negative result. Maintaining positive relationships with private property owners and protecting park resources may require special techniques. The increase in commercial climbing use also needs to be addressed. All of these issues require your help, cooperation, and involvement to solve. Climbing is a traditional use of national parklands, and continued access compatible with resource protection is a high priority. This park has acquired over 40,000 acres of land that is now open to the climbing community, and hopefully more will be added in the future. Come help with the planning at New River Gorge, and share with us the responsibility for preserving the resources of the New for future generations.

Pete Hart
Superintendent, New River Gorge National River

What is the history of the Climbing Management Plan?

A scoping report for the climbing management plan was prepared back in the mid-1990s. This report took a look at both management options for climbing at the park and known resource impacts from climbing. During the last five years the National Park Service (NPS) has worked on refining these into alternatives. As part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) the NPS is required to prepare an environmental assessment (EA) to document the purpose and need of the plan, alternatives, affected environment and the environmental consequences of the alternatives. This is the process the NPS is now beginning and as part of this process public input on what you see as issues and concerns is important.

What will the Climbing Management Plan do?

All National Park Service sites that have climbing activities are required to prepare a Climbing Management Plan (CMP). Growth in the popularity of climbing, changes in climbing styles, and advances in technology have all contributed to the need for a plan that specifically addresses recreational climbing.

What are the Objectives of the Plan?

Objectives that the plan will meet are:
· Protect natural and cultural resources within the park, and the scenic integrity of the area
· Provide the opportunity for climbing related recreation
· Maximize input from public and climbing community
· Determine appropriate commercial use as related to climbing
· Develop an effective interpretive and educational program to enhance compliance

What are the Planning Steps and how can I become involved?

As development of the plan goes forward there are key times when public input is needed. Below is a brief schedule of the project. Where public involvement is needed those steps are highlighted in gray.

Schedule for New River Gorge NR CMP

Please share with us you comments and concerns related to climbing at New River Gorge National River. We would appreciate initial comments by December 31, 2000.

Comments can be mailed to:
SUPERINTENDENT
NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL RIVER
P. O. BOX 246
GLEN JEAN, WV 25846-0246

Or e-mail your comments to: greg_phillips@nps.gov

Planning Team Members

· Greg Jarvis, Job Captain, Natural Resource Specialist/Planning
· Gary Hartley, Chief Ranger
· Dave Rapp, Park Ranger
· John Perez, Natural Resources Specialist
· David Fuerst, Cultural Resource Specialist
· Greg Phillips, Park Ranger
· Cynthia Wilkerson, Environmental Protection Specialist
· Rod Losson, Concessions Specialist
· Michele Batcheller, Wildlife Biologist

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Last Update: Friday, 17-Nov-2000 10:13:11 Eastern Standard Time