Paducah – Dr. Daniel Mongiardo, Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor, today rolled out the Steve Beshear/Daniel Mongiardo Administration's plan for making Kentucky a leader in Adventure Tourism. Sportsman Harold Knight joined him for the announcement at Kentucky Dam Village State Park.

"In our 'Kentucky First' plan, we talk about the need to identify and build Kentucky's economic strengths such as energy and manufacturing to create, grow, attract and sustain businesses in high-wage, high-growth jobs," said Mongiardo. "Adventure Tourism is among those industries we have targeted. It will create more jobs, particularly in our rural areas such as Eastern Kentucky."

Kentucky is poised to be a premier destination for all-terrain vehicles (ATV) riders, horsemen and outdoor enthusiasts from across the country. The Commonwealth's state park system is regarded as one of the best in the nation. It's made up of 53 state parks and historical sites, 17 of which offer overnight accommodations and are considered "resort parks" -- the most of any state. They offer biking, hiking, camping, golfing, fishing, off-roading, horseback riding, boating and swimming."

The state also offers numerous hunting and fishing destinations. Eastern and Western Kentucky offer hunters access to the largest elk herd east of the Rocky Mountains and one of the biggest black bear populations in the country. In Knott County, the Western Pocahontas Coal Company and Knott County Fiscal Court have partnered to recover 43-thousand miles of forests and coal mine area to create hundreds of miles of horseback riding trails. It will also soon become home to a first-of-its-kind training center for ATVs and dirt bikes.

"With all of these opportunities for Adventure Tourism at our doorstep, Steve Beshear and I believe that state government must do more to encourage our counties to build on their individual strengths," said Mongiardo.

The Beshear/Mongiardo Administration will:

• Call for Landowner Protection Laws that protect private landowners from liability involved in opening their land for public use. Many private landowners are concerned about the liability involved in opening their land for public use. One way other states have overcome this obstacle is by passing "hold harmless" laws for private landowners who voluntarily grant public access to their land and the government exempts them from liability in return.

• Support the work of the Kentucky Recreational Trails Authority, or KRTA. This group expands off-road activities and works to preserve, protect and grow the Adventure Tourism Industry.

• Identify counties with potential to start, grow and expand Adventure Tourism industries and provide them with state support. As part of the administrations overall economic development strategy, state economic developers will be provided to work with each county to create an economic development plan unique to that county.

• Keep safety at the forefront. Regardless of the economic potential that Adventure Tourism provides, nothing is more important than ensuring the safety and well-being of residents and visitors. The Beshear/Mongiardo Administration will appoint a state Safety Coordinator who will oversee the creation of a state safety course for all motorized and non-motorized vehicle sports and will be responsible for designing safety manuals and guides for all activities and sports that take place on public lands, such as off-roading, horseback riding and boating, among others.

• The Beshear/Mongiardo Administration will dedicate an entire webpage on the state's tourism website specifically to promote Adventure Tourism. The webpage will offer information on trails, guided tours, activities and seasonal offerings, information on upcoming events, lodging and dining options, as well as information on fees, safety information and state safety guidelines and laws.

To read the entire plan, "Building Off Kentucky's Strengths: Making Kentucky a Leader in Adventure Tourism," click here.