| 10/02/2002 | To celebrate National Public Lands Day, September 28, the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) signed an agreement to partner on trail projects across the country.
The agreement was signed by the Commander and Chief of Engineers Lieutenant General Robert B. Flowers and IMBA's executive director Tim Blumenthal in conjunction with a National Public Lands Day celebration ceremony at Anacostia Park in Washington, D.C.
In addition to signing the new agreement, 27 IMBA clubs in 19 states hosted events on September 28 involving hundreds of volunteers. Thousands more mountain bikers participated in other community trail celebrations.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hosts nearly 400 million annual recreation visits -- more than any other land management agency. The Corps is the steward of 12 million acres of land and water resources, manages 4,340 recreation sites, 450 lakes, 56,000 miles of shoreline and 5,000 miles of trails.
As part of this new memorandum of understanding, IMBA trail experts will travel to Corps recreation sites to help design, construct and maintain shared use trails. IMBA will also provide trail management and education advice.
Trail projects for 2003 include:
Lewis and Clark Trail, North Dakota
Lake Mendocino, California
Lookout Point Lake, Oregon
Raystown Lake, Pennsylvania
Farmdale Reservoir, Illinois
Claiborne Lake, Alabama
Bonnet Carre Spillway, Louisiana
Canyon Lake, Texas
"IMBA's staff and clubs have worked on dozens of trail projects on Corps land so it is only natural that we formalize and expand this partnership," said IMBA executive director Tim Blumenthal. "Our grassroots community of 80,000 trail enthusiasts reveres Corps land and will welcome the opportunity to provide additional volunteer assistance."
"There is a great deal of effort and planning involved in managing the natural resources on public lands. Effective partnerships with federal, state and private natural resource and recreation organizations are essential for the successful stewardship of this trust," said Lt. Gen. Flowers. "This memorandum of understanding with the IMBA lays the groundwork for a valuable partnership that will benefit both the visiting public and nature."
IMBA works to create, enhance and preserve trail opportunities for mountain bikers worldwide. IMBA is a leader in mountain bike management and conducts hundreds of trailbuilding schools and volunteer trailwork sessions annually. IMBA is a national and international education and advocacy organization with 450 member clubs and 32,000 individual members.
For more information contact Jenn Dice jenn@imba.com or Debra Stokes at debra.j.stokes@hq02.usace.army.mil.www.imba.org
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