Water trails in Georgia, Missouri and Alabama are among three designated Monday by Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar to be National Water Trails.
Purpose of the designations is to encourage state, local and federal governments to work together to increase water-based outdoor recreation, to promote tourism and help local economies.
The new national water trails include the Alabama Scenic River Trail which runs along much of the Coosa and Alabama Rivers in Alabama, the Okefenokee Wilderness Canoe Trail in southeast Georgia and the Mississippi River Water Trail that runs from Saverton, Mo. to the St. Louis waterfront.
The National Park Service will work with state and local officials to provide resources and technical assistance to promote and develop designated trails.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)