West Virginia GIS Conference 2004 GIS activities at New River Gorge National River
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New River Gorge National River West Virginia GIS Conference 2004 GIS activities at New River Gorge National River By Andrew Steel New River Gorge National River Background • New River Gorge National River (NERI) established in 1978 to preserve and protect 53 miles of the free-flowing New River in West Virginia Grandview Overlook New River Gorge National River • GARI/BLUE added in 1988 • NERI/GARI/BLUE total approximately 88,000 acres New River Gorge National River Our Enabling Legislation • “For the purpose of conserving and interpreting outstanding natural, scenic, and historic values and objects in and around the New River Gorge and preserving as a freeflowing stream an important segment of the New River in West Virginia for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations, the Secretary shall establish and administer the New River Gorge National River.” New River Gorge National River Statistics for New River Gorge • 72,189 acres • 51,469 acres in federal ownership • 3,587 acres within state parks • 162 acres within scenic easement • 184 miles of boundary • 339 miles of property lines Bluestone National Scenic River Bluestone National ScenicRiver River New River Gorge National Statistics for Bluestone • 4,336 acres • 3,055 acres in federal ownership • 1,238 acres within state parks • 29.5 miles of boundary Gauley River National Recreation Area Gauley River National Recreation New River Gorge National River Area Statistics for Gauley • 11,507 acres • 4,309 acres in federal ownership • 66 miles of boundary • 76 miles of property lines New River Gorge National River • Visitation to three park areas average over 1.5 million Canyon Rim Visitor Center New River Gorge National River New River Gorge National River Visitor Use Thousands of whitewater enthusiasts come to enjoy the excitement… • 145,000 New River • 62,600 Gauley River Whitewater Rafting New River Gorge National River New River Gorge National River Visitor Use ….rock climbers come from around the world .….over 1600 named routes both traditional and sport climbs rated 5.6- 5.14 Climber at Bridge Buttress New River Gorge National River New River Gorge National River Visitor Use ….base jumpers come from around the world to attend the annual Bridge Day….this past year over 125,000 people attended Taking the Leap on Bridge Day New River Gorge National River New River Gorge National River Resources we manage at New River: • • • • • • Forested Lands Agricultural Lands Archaeological sites Historic structures Water Resources Rare & Endangered Plants • Historical Landscapes • Recreation • Rare & Endangered Animals • Geologic Resources • Ecological Integrity • Biological Diversity • Aquatic plants and animals • Cultural Sites New River Gorge National River Forested Lands New River Gorge National River New River Gorge National River Agricultural Lands Historic Ballard Farm New River Gorge National River Archaeological Sites New River Gorge National River Historic Structures New River Gorge National River Historic Structures New River Gorge National River Water Resources New River Gorge National River Water Quality New River Gorge National River Rare and Endangered Plants Virginia Spiraea New River Gorge National River Rare and Endangered Animals Woodrat Rafinesque’s Bigeared Bat New River Gorge National River Rare Communities New River Gorge National River Historic Landscapes - Thurmond 1929 New River Gorge National River Geologic Resources Avis Limestone near the town of Sandstone. This was originally deposited by an ancient ocean. (West Virginia Geological Survey) New River Gorge National River Biological Diversity New River Gorge National River Aquatic Plants and Animals New River Gorge National River Recreation New River Gorge National River Fire Management New River Gorge National River Accomplishments • Acquired spring and fall 2003 aerial photography for the three parks • Produced all geospatial data needed for work on the Gauley river National Recreation Area Development Concept Plan • Acquired, compiled, and organized data potentially needed for upcoming New River Gorge National River General Management Plan Review New River Gorge National River Spring 2003 aerial photography Gauley River National Recreation New River Gorge National River Area Gauley River National Recreation New River Gorge National River Area Gauley River National Recreation New River Gorge National River Area Gauley River National Recreation New River Gorge National River Area Gauley River National Recreation New River Gorge National River Area New River Gorge National River Goals • Landscape change analysis for the New River Gorge National River • Contractor working on vegetation layer for New River Gorge National River • Mapping of trails and facilities within the park along with updating the roads layers for New River Gorge National River New River Gorge National River Landscape change analysis utilizing 1945 imagery Gauley River National Recreation New River Gorge National River Area New River Gorge National River Question Andrew Steel New River Gorge National River P.O. Box 246 Glen Jean, WV 25846 304-465-6556 andy_steel@nps.gov View from Beauty Mountain Looking North New River Gorge National River • For more information please visit our web site at: www.nps.gov/neri/home.html
