1. New River Gorge National River West Virginia GIS Conference 2004 GIS activities at New River Gorge National River By Andrew Steel

2. New River Gorge National River BackgroundBackground New River Gorge National River (NERI) established in 1978 to preserve and protect 53 miles of the free-flowing New River in West VirginiaNew River Gorge National River (NERI) established in 1978 to preserve and protect 53 miles of the free-flowing New River in West Virginia Grandview Overlook New River Gorge National River GARI/BLUE added in 1988 NERI/GARI/BLUE total approximately 88,000 acres NERI/GARI/BLUE total approximately 88,000 acres

3. New River Gorge National River Our Enabling Legislation “For the purpose of conserving and interpreting outstanding natural, scenic, and historic values and objects in and around the New River Gorge and preserving as a free- flowing stream an important segment of the New River in West Virginia for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations, the Secretary shall establish and administer the New River Gorge National River.”“For the purpose of conserving and interpreting outstanding natural, scenic, and historic values and objects in and around the New River Gorge and preserving as a free- flowing stream an important segment of the New River in West Virginia for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations, the Secretary shall establish and administer the New River Gorge National River.”

4. New River Gorge National River Statistics for New River Gorge 51,469 acres in federal ownership51,469 acres in federal ownership 3,587 acres within state parks3,587 acres within state parks 162 acres within scenic easement162 acres within scenic easement 184 miles of boundary184 miles of boundary 339 miles of property lines339 miles of property lines 72,189 acres72,189 acres

5. Bluestone National Scenic River

6. New River Gorge National River Statistics for Bluestone 3,055 acres in federal ownership3,055 acres in federal ownership 1,238 acres within state parks1,238 acres within state parks 29.5 miles of boundary29.5 miles of boundary 4,336 acres4,336 acres Bluestone National Scenic River

7. Gauley River National Recreation Area

8. New River Gorge National River Statistics for Gauley 4,309 acres in federal ownership4,309 acres in federal ownership 66 miles of boundary66 miles of boundary 76 miles of property lines76 miles of property lines 11,507 acres11,507 acres Gauley River National Recreation Area

9. New River Gorge National River Visitation to three park areas average over 1.5 millionVisitation to three park areas average over 1.5 million Canyon Rim Visitor Center New River Gorge National River

10. New River Gorge National River Visitor Use Thousands of whitewater enthusiasts come to enjoy the excitement… 145,000 New River145,000 New River 62,600 Gauley River 62,600 Gauley River Whitewater Rafting New River Gorge National River

11. New River Gorge National River Visitor Use ….rock climbers come from around the world.….over 1600 named routes both traditional and sport climbs rated 5.6- 5.14 Climber at Bridge Buttress New River Gorge National River

12. New River Gorge National River Taking the Leap on Bridge Day New River Gorge National River Visitor Use ….base jumpers come from around the world to attend the annual Bridge Day….this past year over 125,000 people attended

13. New River Gorge National River Resources we manage at New River: Forested LandsForested Lands Agricultural LandsAgricultural Lands Archaeological sitesArchaeological sites Historic structuresHistoric structures Water ResourcesWater Resources Rare & Endangered PlantsRare & Endangered Plants Historical LandscapesHistorical Landscapes RecreationRecreation Rare & Endangered AnimalsRare & Endangered Animals Geologic ResourcesGeologic Resources Ecological IntegrityEcological Integrity Biological DiversityBiological Diversity Aquatic plants and animalsAquatic plants and animals Cultural SitesCultural Sites

14. New River Gorge National River Forested Lands New River Gorge National River

15. Agricultural Lands Historic Ballard Farm

16. New River Gorge National River Archaeological Sites

17. New River Gorge National River Historic Structures

18. New River Gorge National River Historic Structures

19. New River Gorge National River Water Resources

20. New River Gorge National River Water Quality

21. New River Gorge National River Rare and Endangered Plants Virginia Spiraea

22. New River Gorge National River Rare and Endangered Animals Woodrat Rafinesque’s Big- eared Bat

23. New River Gorge National River Rare Communities

24. New River Gorge National River Historic Landscapes - Thurmond 1929

25. New River Gorge National River Geologic Resources Avis Limestone near the town of Sandstone. This was originally deposited by an ancient ocean. (West Virginia Geological Survey)

26. New River Gorge National River Biological Diversity

27. New River Gorge National River Aquatic Plants and Animals

28. New River Gorge National River RecreationRecreation

29. Fire Management

30. New River Gorge National River AccomplishmentsAccomplishments Acquired spring and fall 2003 aerial photography for the three parksAcquired spring and fall 2003 aerial photography for the three parks Produced all geospatial data needed for work on the Gauley river National Recreation Area Development Concept PlanProduced all geospatial data needed for work on the Gauley river National Recreation Area Development Concept Plan Acquired, compiled, and organized data potentially needed for upcoming New River Gorge National River General Management Plan ReviewAcquired, compiled, and organized data potentially needed for upcoming New River Gorge National River General Management Plan Review

31. New River Gorge National River Spring 2003 aerial photography

32. New River Gorge National River Gauley River National Recreation Area

33. New River Gorge National River Gauley River National Recreation Area

34. New River Gorge National River Gauley River National Recreation Area

35. New River Gorge National River Gauley River National Recreation Area

36. New River Gorge National River Gauley River National Recreation Area

37. New River Gorge National River GoalsGoals Landscape change analysis for the New River Gorge National RiverLandscape change analysis for the New River Gorge National River Contractor working on vegetation layer for New River Gorge National RiverContractor working on vegetation layer for New River Gorge National River Mapping of trails and facilities within the park along with updating the roads layers for New River Gorge National RiverMapping of trails and facilities within the park along with updating the roads layers for New River Gorge National River

38. New River Gorge National River Landscape change analysis utilizing 1945 imagery

39. New River Gorge National River Gauley River National Recreation Area

40. New River Gorge National River QuestionQuestion View from Beauty Mountain Looking North New River Gorge National River Andrew Steel New River Gorge National River P.O. Box 246 Glen Jean, WV 25846 304-465-6556andy_steel@nps.gov For more information please visit our web site at: www.nps.gov/neri/home.htmlFor more information please visit our web site at: www.nps.gov/neri/home.html