
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, March 10, 1992                   TAG: 9203100262
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-3   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: COEBURN                                LENGTH: Short

PUBLIC ASKED TO HELP DRAFT FINAL TRAILS PLAN

Clinch Ranger District officials will hold a second public session March 24 at Coeburn's Old City Hall to draft final recreation plans for the Guest River Gorge "Rails to Trails" project.

The meeting, a follow-up to January's work session, is from 7 to 9 p.m. It will give the public another chance to make suggestions on recreational development on the Guest River Gorge's 5.2-mile trail on former railroad right-of-way.

"Using information we received at the last public workshop, we've put together a slate of recreation alternatives for the Guest River Gorge," said Clinch District Ranger Raoul Gagne. "We'll present that list to the public March 24 and let them help fine-tune alternatives that best suit the trail."

Recreational possibilities range from full-scale development to letting the trail stay in a primitive setting.

The trail traverses Wise and Scott counties. The acreage was donated to the U.S. Forest Service by Norfolk Southern Railroad in 1989. A $650,000 federal grant has allowed the Forest Service to start bridge construction along it.

- Southwest bureau

by CNB