LoginA new report commissioned for the National Park Service is calling for the creation of seven "recreation corridors" across New England to promote job creation and spur economic development in rural communities.
According to the Bangor Daily news, the Connect People to the Outdoors in New England report suggests setting aside the seven recreational paths in areas that include the Androscoggin River in Maine and New Hampshire, Champlain Valley in Vermont and the Blackstone River in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The report said the corridors will help restore the nation's waterways and create jobs, especially for young people.
Richard Barringer, the project's lead investigator, told the news agency that he has already spoken to the Obama Administration about possible funding.
Meanwhile, Montana Senator Jon Tester is touting the benefits of the Forest Jobs and Recreation Act, which recently failed to remain in the Senate's budget package on Capitol Hill. The Missoulian reports the bill combines a new timber management plant with provisions to carve out about 1 million acres of land for preservation and recreational use in the state.
Opponents of the bill said it didn't go far enough to support guaranteed job creation in Montana.