PRESENTER: Presenter
Amy Niles, River and Watershed Manager
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SUBJECT: Title
Discuss and Consider Comal River Application for a National Water Trail
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DISCUSSION:
The National Water Trails System (NWTS) is a program through the National Park Service and is a sub-set of their National Recreation Trails Program (NRT). This system is a network of water trails across America that are open to the public to explore and enjoy. It serves as a community of water resource managers that can collaborate and share information with the intent to protect and restore the health of local waterways, promote the development of water trails, and increase access to outdoor water recreation.
Criteria for NWT designation: the trail must be open to public use, have no gaps, and be designed, constructed, and maintained according to seven best management practices: Recreation Opportunities, Education, Restoration, Community Support, Public Information, Trail Maintenance, and Planning.
Benefits of being accepted as an NWTS include prestige and increased visibility as being part of a National Trails System. Successful National Water Trails also receive a letter and a certificate designating their trail as an NRT, but they are entitled to use the NWTS logo and signs in appropriate settings and trail publications. Plastic NRT logo signs are also available free of charge (metal signs can be purchased for a fee). All NRTs and NWTs are included in the online searchable database of trails.
Other benefits:
• Access to technical assistance from NRT Program partners.
• Periodic electronic newsletters with program updates, newsworthy activities, technical information, and innovative solutions to trail issues from around the country.
• Access to an e-mail news group for NRT managers only to receive updates on funding, resources, and technical assistance opportunities.
• Access to networking and training opportunities.
• Assistance with recognition and special events highlighting the trail.
• Trail markers with the NRT logo for your trail.
• Letters of support for fundraising and trail protection efforts.
• Access to update online trail information in the online NRT database.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends submitting an application to make the Comal River a National Water Trail.