FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                            CONTACT:         Chris Kellogg, 502-564-2611
                                                                                                          Jim Carroll, 502-564-8110, ext. 307

 WHITESBURG, Ky.  (Dec. 1, 2003) -- Gov. Paul Patton today announced that the first phase of land acquisition for Pine Mountain Trail State Park has been completed. Fourteen parcels of privately owned land are now under contract for donation for the 110-mile linear state park in Southeastern Kentucky.

   Gov. Patton thanked the property owners, who asked to remain anonymous. He called on other property owners along the proposed park boundary to consider donating easements for the park. He also said that easements for public lands within the trail boundaries, which comprise 30 percent of the trail’s length, have been acquired. The park will embrace portions of state parks, state and national forests, state nature preserves, and wildlife management areas.

   Pine Mountain will run along the ridge of Pine Mountain through Pike, Letcher, Harlan and Bell counties, from the Breaks of the Big Sandy to Cumberland Gap.

   “Pine Mountain Trail State Park will preserve for posterity some of the most beautiful land anywhere in Kentucky,“ Gov. Patton said. “I am delighted that we have made significant progress in developing this unique park.”

   The 2000 General Assembly authorized the park at Gov. Patton’s urging. In establishing the park, the governor noted that the trail will preserve some of the state’s most beautiful mountain vistas. He also pointed to the potential tourism impact of the park among hikers throughout the region.

  Gov. Patton also announced the formation of a 25-member Pine Mountain Trail Partnership. The group will serve as an advocate for nature tourism in southeastern Kentucky. It is charged with promoting regional cooperation, seeking financial support for nature tourism, and securing community involvement in nature tourism. 

   The following organizations will each have one representative on the partnership: the Pine Mountain Trail Conference, the Pine Mountain Settlement School, Southeast Community College, the Letcher County Action Team, the Southern and Eastern Kentucky Tourism Development Association, Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, the Kentucky League of Sportsmen, and the Kentucky Appalachian Commission.

   Others serving will be one businessperson from each county, the county judge-executive of each county, a member from each county appointed by the state Secretary of Tourism Development, the park managers for Pine Mountain State Resort, Kingdom Come State Park, Breaks Interstate Park, Daniel Boone National Forest, and the development coordinator for Pine Mountain Trail State Park.

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