The expansion of broadband and cellular access in West Virginia will notably improve safety and economics along its water trails, say officials with the state flatwater trail commission.
Bill Currey, president of the commission, says expanding access wonโt just bolster tourismโit could save tourists from potentially dangerous situations.
โFlatwater trail areas need broadband badly. Weโre growing the business so fast that there are so many people on the river who could get in trouble,โ Currey said.
โThe value of our water trail," he added, using the Coal River Water Trail as an example, "is that itโs in rural, isolated areas, and part of that trouble is that those areas donโt have broadband or cell service.โ
In October 2021, Gov. Jim Justice announced a billion-dollar broadband strategy that will expand access in underserved areas, providing broadband to 200,000 homes and businesses.
Currey says expanding access could ease the burden on emergency responders who are called to find those who may go missing on the water trails, he said.
โThe primitive part of what we advertise is whatโs so attractive to so many people,โ he said of the Coal River, "but it also poses dangerous situations for the emergency responders in Boone County, Lincoln County, and western Kanawha.
"Itโs a two-edged sword: you want visitors to come, and you want them to have a good time, but outdoor sports can be dangerous.โ
Currey, who established the Coal River Group, one of the stateโs first flatwater trails, says he hopes the example of the Coal River will help with the state's 14 new trails.
โWe as the Coal River Group want to be able to provide visitors and tourists an umbrella of safety as much as we can, but that same concern applies to all 14 water trails. As all of them grow, theyโre going to experience the same issues that weโve had to deal with, with the Coal River,โ Currey said.
John Burchett, member of the stateโs flatwater trail commission and overseer of the stateโs newest flatwater trail in Mingo Countyโthe 60-mile Bloody Mingo Trail along the Tug Fork Riverโsaid one of his goals is to expand broadband access in that area, which suffers spotty connections at best.
He says commission members are also planning to find additional broadband resources, though as a newer delegation, designated only last year, it will take some time.
โThis is something we will address down the road,โ Burchett said. โWeโre a brand new commission. Weโre mostly organizing and collecting information about the trails that we have and trails that we will build. But I do see this as something thatโs important for flatwater trails in the state.โ
An increase in broadband connection can help draw more visitors in, Burchett said. By posting and sharing photos of the trails on social media, locals and tourists can promote their experiences and encourage other out-of-state kayakers and paddlers to try out West Virginiaโs flatwater trails.
โIt would help to have continuous coverage on our flatwater trails, especially in emergency situations,โ Burchett said.
โBut also for continuing the recreational aspect of it, with social media. If youโre out on the water and you want to connect with some friends and share the experience of your trip, you can do that.โ
While broadband access will play a part in making the stateโs water trails as safe as possible, increased signage and other resources are already available. Burchett shared some additional flatwater safety tips.
โEach trail should develop their own mapping and informational signage that would be available at each place that is designated as a put-in or take-out,โ he said.
โAnytime youโre on the water, you want to leave word with friends, family or someone where youโre staying as to where youโre going and how long youโre expected to be gone, so that if something goes wrong, at least emergency services, first responders would know where to start looking for you.โ
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