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

DATE: TUESDAY, August 3, 1993                   TAG: 9308030196
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: EWING                                LENGTH: Short

LEGISLATORS PUSH TO EXPAND PARK AT CUMBERLAND

Virginia officials are pushing a plan to expand the Cumberland Gap National Historic Park, which includes land in Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee.

But before any expansion, Congress would have to remove a 53-year-old ban on using federal money to acquire new lands for the park, one of three national parks under such restrictions.

The park was established in the 1950s to recognize the gap as a landmark of westward expansion. By 1800, more than 200,000 settlers and land speculators had passed through the gap.

Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon, is backing federal legislation that would remove the restrictions. Boucher wants to enlarge the park in Tennessee and Virginia by adding a long hiking trail through parts of both states.

Del. Ford Quillen, D-Scott, said the plan is to use the hiking trail to connect the national park and a planned state park in Lee County.

"Virginia has decided that it's important to capture a lot of the traffic that comes in there," Quillen said.

Boucher's bill is scheduled for consideration by a House subcommittee today. If the bill is approved, Boucher and others, including Kentucky Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers, R-Somerset, plan to seek funding for the trail expansions. The cost is not yet known.

by CNB