VIRGINIA COAL HERITAGE TRAIL CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT PLAN (CMP) - Click here.

Vision Statement:
The Virginia Coal Heritage Trail seeks to preserve and protect the Appalachian coalfields way of life and its link to the unique landscape of southwest Virginia, through the development of a 325-mile trail that highlights the coal mining history, structures, and culture, while developing and perpetuating economic opportunities in communities along the trail.

The Counties involved include: Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, City of Norton, Russell, Scott, Tazewell and Wise. Click on the map below for a larger version.

We Make Things Happen (WMTH) Corporation was hired in the summer of 2010 to work with the Virginia Coal Heritage Trail Committee and the participating communities in developing a corridor management plan for the proposed route (click here for a larger version or click on the specific county for a more detailed map ).

WHAT IS A CMP?

A CMP is a "written plan developed and adopted by the communities along a designated route that outlines how to protect and enhance the byway's instrinsic qualities and characteristics that define the byway corridor".

To learn more about Byways and CMPS, go to: www.byways.org/learn/program.html

The National Scenic Program require corridor management plans (CMP) to obtain national byway designation. CMPs outline the goals, strategies and responsibilities for preserving and promoting the byway.

Typically CMPs address issues such as tourism development, historic and natural preservation, roadway safety, and economic development. They also provide marketing ideas and an opportunity to apply for federal dollars for implementation of the plan, interpretive and directional signage, marketing dollars and more.

Click on the image to the right for a downloadable version (PDF) of the VA Coal Heritage Trail Fact Sheet. The Goal of the Project is to have the Virginia Coal Heritage Trail designated a National Scenic Byway - extension of the Coal Heritage Trail National Byway of West Virginia.