Public Comment SCORP
November 23, 2019
Public Comment Needed by Dec. 12, 2019 for Vermont's SCORP.
Public Comment Needed for Vermont’s SCORP
What is the SCORP?
The Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) is a plan which assesses the provision and need for outdoor recreation in a state. States are required to update their SCORP every five years to remain eligible to receive federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, as well the federal Recreational Trails Program funds. The plan guides outdoor recreation policies, programs and funding for projects.
Please share you voice, edits and suggestions before December 12th, 2019
Every five years the State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan is produced, which is a key piece of the puzzle for the state of Vermont to receive federal funding for recreation projects. After gathering survey data, a draft of the plan has been produced and is open for public comment. The survey tools and responses have been provided for everyone's review and is available at this link:
Your voice in this process is a key component of the SCORP being representative of things the public wants for trails, waterways, hunting, hockey, etc. in Vermont. Kingdom Trails, along with the Vermont Trails & Greenway Council, is encouraging you to take a look at how your interests are being represented - and to submit your thoughts:
- As a trail user how do the elements of the plan support your interests?
- KTA, as part the VT Trails & Greenways Council, is advocating for private landowner protections from over-regulation. Did you know that over 70% of trails in VT are on private land (99% of KTA's). From your perspective, does the plan commit to private landowner protections enough?
- Does the SCORP point out and lift up the value of the trail-based nonprofits in VT that make most the outdoor recreation possible, and sets VT uniquely apart from many other states?
- 94% of respondents rated outdoor recreation as "very important" or "essential." Is this SCORP accurately reflective of your hopes for outdoor recreation?
- If an Office of Outdoor Recreation is created - does the SCORP explicitly state how the invested resources will benefit trail-based organizations in VT?
If you don't have time to read the draft - consider using the following in your comments:
- Please add a commitment to engaging Nonprofit trail providers in a long-range trail expansion plan that allows them to effectively raise funds, hire builders.
- Please explicitly state the value and importance of protecting private landowners from over-regulation.
- The SCORP should include a clear statement isolating a commitment to supporting the value of trail-based nonprofits.
- The SCOPR does not share any specificity, benchmarks or timelines attached to the primary goals and objectives - can we get more?
- How will an office of Outdoor Recreation benefits trails, trail groups and VT's trail-based nonprofits exactly? This should be stated in the plan.
7/11/26 Community Chat
Canadian Community Month Offers Below Kingdom Trails Kingdom Trails is a world-renowned, community-supported trail network at the heart of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, built through long-standing landowner partnerships and careful stewardship. It remains the central hub of the region’s mountain biking community. As part of Canadian Community Month, Canadian visitors are welcomed with special membership access and benefits designed to make visiting more accessible. Offers: Canadian dollars accepted at par for annual and day memberships purchased in-person at the Kingdom Trails Welcome Center New and current Canadian annual members will receive a complimentary guest day membership to share with a friend or family member, redeemable anytime during the 2026 riding season. Canadians who purchased day memberships earlier this season may upgrade to annual memberships at par, with the amount already paid in USD credited toward the upgrade Please note that the at-par rates will be applied at checkout in USD as a discount according to the current daily exchange rate; the KT Welcome Center is unable to accept Canadian currency at this time.
From the Executive Director: Hi Everyone! Well, July has certainly brought the heat, but luckily here at KT there are plenty of shady trails to choose from. Speaking of trails...we are opening a new one this weekend: "Cheddar Slice" connects the bottom of Butter Tubs to the bottom of the Dashney Loop, creating a roughly 4-mile family-friendly loop and adding another way to connect the Moose Alley and Dashney zones. Connectivity has been a big focus this year, and there is more to come later this season. Thank you to all our generous Landowners, members and supporters. Have a wonderful weekend and a very Happy Fourth of July!! -Georgia Celebrate the Fourth with Us! As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, we invite you to celebrate with us throughout the month of July. If you're riding on Saturday, July 4, be sure to stop by our newly refreshed Welcome Center! We'll be serving complimentary cookies and lemonade throughout the day—a small way of celebrating the holiday and welcoming riders, families, and visitors to Kingdom Trails. Later in the month, join us at Lyndonville's Stars & Stripes Celebration on Saturday, July 18. The celebration begins with the 10:00 a.m. parade, followed by the festival, where you'll find the Kingdom Trails tent. Stop by to say hello, learn about our newest initiatives and chat with our staff about everything happening at Kingdom Trails this summer. The festival runs from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and features food trucks, vendors, children's activities, live music, a Rotary BBQ, axe throwing, and more—making it a fun day for the whole family. We hope you'll stop by, say hello, and celebrate with us! CLICK HERE to read the full newsletter.
