MVA to manage Mon River Water Trail
The Pennsylvania Water Trail Partnership has named the Mon Valley Alliance (MVA) as the managing organization for the Monongahela River Water Trail.
The Pennsylvania Water Trails Partnership, which manages the Pennsylvania Water Trails Program, is made up of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, and the National Park Service.
The water trail is designated with the Pennsylvania Water Trail Program. MVA plans to work closely with the Mon River Towns Program to form a strong coalition of organizations and individuals to work on behalf of this regional asset.
“Tourism is the second largest industry in Pennsylvania and the Mon Valley is a great place to visit with the river chief among many reasons to bring people here,” said Christopher Whitlatch, chief executive officer of the Mon Valley Alliance. “We believe the water trail can help our current businesses as well as encourage new startups on our main streets and on our riverfronts.”
MVA will work with Mon River Towns to update signs and maps and to increase recreational access and education.
As the managing organization, MVA will be responsible to bring the eight water trail principles to the Monongahela River. They include partnerships, stewardship, volunteering, education, conservation, community vitality, diversity and wellness and wellbeing.
The Mon River Towns Program helps communities to recognize the river as an asset around which potential community and economic development can occur, and thus a resource worthy of protection.
“We are pleased that MVA undertook this responsibility on behalf of the region,” said Cathy McCollom, director of the Mon River Towns Program. “The Mon River Water Trail has not had a central managing organization and we look forward to partnering with MVA to breathe new life into this program”
The Pennsylvania Water Trail Partnership also offers a mini-grant program for small projects along the river. Project ideas can be submitted online at www.monvalleyalliance.org or www.monrivertowns.com.