RESOLUTION 28-6
RESOLUTION CONTINUING NEW
ENGLAND/EASTERN
CANADIAN GREENWAYS PARTNERSHIP
WHEREAS the Conference of New
England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers gave its support,
in 1997 and 1998, to the initiatives designed to foster the
development of links between greenways and cycling paths on either
side of the members' borders; and
WHEREAS previous resolutions made it possible
to initiate sustained cooperation between the New England states
and the provinces of Eastern Canada in this area; and
WHEREAS the first two links between bicycle
paths have been identified with signs and inaugurated, one in
1998, joining Québec's Route verte and the Sentier NB Trail in
New Brunswick, and one in 1999, joining Québec's Route verte and
the Lake Champlain Bikeways in the states of New York and Vermont;
and
WHEREAS the East Coast Greenway also seeks to
connect Canada to Key West, Florida through all major cities on
the East Coast; and
WHEREAS the success of the Lake Champlain
Bikeways depends on international links; and
WHEREAS the development of greenways and
bikeway networks have obvious benefits for the health of the
general public, since it fosters physical activity and helps
combat obesity and the sedentary lifestyle; and
WHEREAS greenways and bicycle paths are a
major tool for tourism and economic development in our regions and
communities; and
WHEREAS walking and bicycling are active,
environmentally friendly methods of transportation.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the
Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers
support the measures designed to develop and maintain the
greenways and major bicycle routes and paths, and encourage the
initiatives involving international cooperation.
BE IT ALSO RESOLVED that the provincial and
state departments and agencies involved (transportation and
tourism, in particular) do their part to see that international
and interjurisdictional links are developed, particularly in terms
of signage and cross-the-board promotion, both through printed
matter and the Internet.
Adopted at the 28th Annual
Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers,
September 7-9, 2003.
_________________________________________
John G. Rowland
Governor of Connecticut
Co-chair |
_________________________________________
Bernard Lord
Premier of New Brunswick
Co-chair |
