County officials bring largest landowner to table

BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — A vast expansion of the First Frontier Appalachian Trails is on the horizon as the Kentucky Mountain Regional Recreation Authority secured a significant licensing agreement with Pocahontas Land. Announced Tuesday during a KMRRA board meeting in Inez, the agreement incorporates 46,500 acres of land in Martin County into the trail system.

Michael Blackburn, president and CEO of Pocahontas Land Company, stated he told county officials when they contacted him that Pocahontas would see this as an opportunity and would want to partner with Martin County to help get the trail system off the ground.

“We’re really excited about the opportunity this presents for Martin County and the expansion of the Hatfield-McCoy system as well,” Blackburn said. “It’s got a lot of potential and with the good guidance and stewardship you guys will provide, I’m optimistic. You guys are going to be very successful.”

After trail authority board member Jerry Stacy reported in March that “four different people” had made no progress in pursuing Pocahontas, Martin County Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty’s administration successfully brought Pocahontas to the table with the trail authority last week. The resulting agreement is a broader vision to bolster the county’s economic prospects, according to Lafferty.

“We’re really excited about the opportunity this presents for Martin County and the expansion of the Hatfield-McCoy system as well.”

–Michael Blackburn, Pocahontas president and CEO

The judge highlighted the potential for increased tourism and recreational activities, which are key to the county’s future growth.

“Our mountains are the beauty and wealth of Martin County,” Lafferty stated. “The trail is the missing piece in our economic development puzzle.”

Drawing attention to the historical and cultural significance of the trails, Lafferty expressed his wish to see the trails named in honor of the coal miners of Martin County.

“It’s their blood, sweat, tears and, in many cases, their lives as they worked these mountains that created these areas and trails,” said Lafferty. “I would like to see the trails named after them as a tribute – not to the mining industry but to the coal miners. We have them to thank for our history, for the wealth created for so many people on the backs of coal miners and for all their hard work that sent billions of dollars out of our mountains … And our mountains still call to us as a way of life.”

Lafferty commented that the Appalachian Mountains are the oldest in the world and have more biodiversity than the Rainforest. “We need to capitalize on that,” he stressed. “It needs to be done with tremendous thought and oversight, taking into consideration not only economic but cultural implications.”

For the trail authority, the agreement is a huge chance to grow the trail, offering an extensive new playground for off-highway vehicle enthusiasts, equestrians, mountain bicyclists and others.

While in Inez, KMRRA board members discussed the proximity of the Pocahontas property to the Hatfield-McCoy Trails, confirming that Martin County is where the First Frontier trails would join Hatfield-McCoy.

Members also discussed a potential annual membership fee schedule per buggy, noting that residents would receive a discounted fee that could put the price around $50. Matt Brown noted that a pass holder could bring a guest at no additional cost.

Eric Mills, from Judge Lafferty’s office, suggested that the authority consider waiving the membership fee for the first year while still requiring permits. This approach would help residents transition smoothly and give them time to appreciate the value of the expanded trail system. Board member Laura Pack and other members agreed with Mills’s proposal.

Stacy recalled that local opposition was significant when the Hatfield-McCoy Trails first opened. However, he said those who initially objected eventually became Hatfield-McCoy’s most ardent supporters. Stacy believes waiving the first-year membership fee might mitigate initial opposition from residents.

Martin County Deputy Judge/Executive Carolea Mills reminded everyone that there are plenty of other trails that county residents have been riding for years.

“This is not the only trail they ride,” the deputy judge said. “We want to make sure our people know they still get to ride the outlaw trails. We’re only talking about one trail here that will connect us to the prosperity that West Virginia is having. The locals can still ride wherever they want.”

Stacy told county officials that the economic impact of the trail system in the area is already evident, with investments pouring into campgrounds, cabins and other amenities in anticipation of the new trails. He advised the officials to assess this type of development in Martin County to include in the authority’s presentation in Frankfort.

The state Legislature created and fully funds the KMRRA through tourism, with the 9-member board rotating among the 18 counties involved.