The Establishment of SRRA
In late 2006 to early 2007, various local government officials and interested citizens engaged Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) staff. They requested assistance in determining the level of interest in and, the feasibility of, a multi-use trail system within the coalfields/Heart of Appalachia Region of Virginia, a.k.a. the “far Southwest Virginia (FSWVA).”
Per those initial meetings and VTC research, the Hatfield-McCoy Trails System (HMT), an off-highway vehicle (OHV) trails venue in neighboring West Virginia, was selected as the base model. It is due to its similar terrain, land ownership patterns, and local economy.
On March 13, 2008, the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation creating the Southwest Regional Recreation Authority (SRRA). It is a public corporation and government instrumentality with the ability to exercise the public powers of the State.
Its mandate is to establish and maintain “…a system of recreational trails and appurtenant facilities, including trailhead centers, parking areas, camping facilities, picnic areas, recreational areas, historic or cultural interpretive sites, and other facilities…” in the Southwest Regional Recreation Area.
SRRA serves and supports all jurisdictions within the LENOWISCO and Cumberland Plateau PDCs, encompassing the counties of Tazewell, Buchanan, Russell, Dickenson, Wise, Scott, and Lee, as well as the City of Norton.
SRRA’s stated mission is to “…create and manage multi-use trails in the Southwest Regional Recreation Area to facilitate, enhance, and sustain economic development and job creation in Southwest Virginia.” The initiative is known as Spearhead Trails.
Achieving the intent of its Charter and implementing its Mission will be accomplished through the development of an international, recreational, multi-use trail destination serving adventurous tourists throughout the Eastern United States and beyond.
The Vision of SRRA for Spearhead Trails
Spearhead Trails will be a major economic resource for FSWVA and the Commonwealth. Our goals are to:
