November 2010 - RTC TrailBlog

Coming off the great success of our 8th annual Greenway Sojourn, we in Pennsylvania are reminded of the large support the Northeast Regional Office of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) has received over the past 10 years from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (PA DCNR). Beginning with the very first Sojourn in 2001, RTC has received funding from the PA DCNR in support of this popular event. In total, nearly 2,500 people have participated in the eight multi-day rides, with representation from as many as 34 states in 2007. And the Sojourn has now taken place in every geographic region of Pennsylvania.

Funding for DCNR's grants comes from their Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2), which is generated in large part from a portion of the state realty transfer tax. Started in 1993 under an act of legislation and passed with a large majority vote by both the Pennsylvania House and Senate, the program is DCNR's primary source of grant funding for both recreation and land conservation. In turn, this revenue source has provided invaluable funding for trail development throughout Pennsylvania. C2P2's support is so strong that the program has carried over, in the same form and name, through multiple governors.

Another recurring program that Pennsylvania's DCNR supports is RTC's Trail Assistance Program. Driven by existing RTC initiatives such as the Greenway Sojourn, the Trail Assistance Program helps provide funding for materials, repairs and improvements that can frequently be completed by volunteers. To date, we have been able to assist the completion of 15 projects on 13 different trails.

The funding assistance provided by the DCNR has allowed RTC to complete a number of research-backed publications, which provide the necessary analytic and statistical support for continued trail development. We share this work with trail development professionals around the country via our website as well as in hard copy form. Publications have included 10 editions of the Pennsylvania's Rail-Trails guidebook. This initial work eventually became the basis for both the DCNR Explore PA Trails website and RTC's own free trail-finding service, TrailLink.com.

Other publications researched, written and produced by RTC with funding assistance from PA DCNR include a seminal work on Rail-Trail Bridges in Pennsylvania and Rail-Trail Maintenance & Operation. We have now completed Trail User Surveys and Economic Impact Analysis on four trails in Pennsylvania because of this funding.

A coalition of agencies and individuals called Renew Growing Greener is heading an effort to maintain funding for these PA DCNR programs. Visit their site to learn about options to keep these important programs alive.

Photo of 2010 Greenway Sojourners--more than 300--preparing to cross the Ben Franklin Bridge into Philadelphia by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.  

RECEIVE RAILROAD ABANDONMENT NOTICES FOR YOUR STATE VIA E-MAIL

On or about October 25, 2010, Indiana Southwestern Railway Co. filed for the abandonment of two interconnecting segments of track for a total of 17.2 miles within Posey and Vanderburgh counties, Indiana. One segment begins in Cynthiana and the other starts near German Township; they converge in Poseyville. In the filing, the railroad indicates that the corridor may be suitable for trail use. We are providing this information because it presents an opportunity to develop a real regional asset: a multi-use trail that can accommodate hikers, bikers, equestrians and other appropriate uses.

NEXT STEPS: If this corridor is suitable for trail use, we strongly urge local trail advocates, or an appropriate local, regional or state agency or organization, to take action now. A "boiler plate" letter (found here) can be filed with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) and the abandoning railroad using STB docket number AB-1065 (sub-no. 0x). Filing this letter does not commit its authors to acquire the corridor; it merely gives time to develop a rail-trail proposal and undertake negotiations with the railroad. According to the information we have received, the deadline for filing this letter is January 15, 2011. Even if this deadline is missed, there is probably still time to contact the relevant parties, since the railroad may have experienced a delay in filing all of the paperwork, or the STB may still have jurisdiction over the corridor. However, it is important to take prompt action. The STB posts all abandonment decisions and filings on its Web site, including the complete filing for this corridor. More information on the rail corridor, including a map, can be found in this filing.

The STB has imposed a $200 filing fee for all railbanking requests. Entities filing a railbanking request may request a fee waiver or reduction, and government agencies will receive an automatic fee waiver. Throughout the process, make sure local government officials and citizen activists are kept informed of the project's progress. We also recommend contacting your state trails coordinator or your state bicycle/pedestrian coordinator. Both of these individuals are knowledgeable about state laws and resources and may be able to assist your community with this rail-trail project. Also, you may want to contact the abandoning railroad to add your name to their service list.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE: RTC's Web site may provide valuable tools as you plan for a rail-trail, including how-to manuals, the Trail-Building Toolbox, our Publications Library and the Trails & Greenways Listserv for trail advocates and professionals. These resources can be found within the "Trail-Building" section of our Web site. If you take advantage of this information and other resources promptly, you will be well on your way to creating a successful rail-trail in your community. For more information, or if you decide to pursue railbanking, please contact the Midwest Regional Office of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.

RECEIVE RAILROAD ABANDONMENT NOTICES FOR YOUR STATE VIA E-MAIL

On or about November 9, 2010, Delta Southern Railroad, Inc. filed for the abandonment of 8 miles of track East Carroll Parish, Louisiana. The corridor starts just west of U.S. Highway 65 near Shelburn and ends about one mile south of Lake Providence. In the filing, the railroad indicates the corridor may be suitable for trail use. We are providing this information because it presents an opportunity to develop a real regional asset: a multi-use trail that can accommodate hikers, bikers, equestrians and other appropriate uses.

NEXT STEPS: If this corridor is suitable for trail use, we strongly urge local trail advocates, or an appropriate local, regional or state agency or organization, to take action now. A "boiler plate" letter (found here) can be filed with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) and the abandoning railroad using STB docket number AB- 384 (SUB-NO. 2X). Filing this letter does not commit its authors to acquire the corridor; it merely gives time to develop a rail-trail proposal and undertake negotiations with the railroad. According to the information we have received, the deadline for filing this letter is December 9, 2010. Even if this deadline is missed, there is probably still time to contact the relevant parties, since the railroad may have experienced a delay in filing all of the paperwork, or the STB may still have jurisdiction over the corridor. However, it is important to take prompt action. The STB posts all abandonment decisions and filings on its Web site, including the complete filing for this corridor. More information on the rail corridor, including a map, can be found in this filing.

The STB has imposed a $200 filing fee for all railbanking requests. Entities filing a railbanking request may request a fee waiver or reduction, and government agencies will receive an automatic fee waiver. Throughout the process, make sure local government officials and citizen activists are kept informed of the project's progress. We also recommend contacting your state trails coordinator or your state bicycle/pedestrian coordinator.

Both of these individuals are knowledgeable about state laws and resources and may be able to assist your community with this rail-trail project. Also, you may want to contact the abandoning railroad to add your name to their service list.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE: RTC's Web site may provide valuable tools as you plan for a rail-trail, including how-to manuals, the Trail-Building Toolbox, our Publications Library and the Trails & Greenways Listserv for trail advocates and professionals. These resources can be found within the "Trail-Building" section of our Web site. If you take advantage of this information and other resources promptly, you will be well on your way to creating a successful rail-trail in your community. For more information, or if you decide to pursue railbanking, please contact the National Office of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.

Bringing new users out to trails requires overcoming personal barriers many people have, such as lack of self  confidence, fear of failure or concern over potential injury. We recently came across Forever Athletes, a group that is working to inspire everyone to unlock the athlete within.

"Forever Athletes believes everyone is an athlete, as we've redefined the term to be highly inclusive: a person who regularly participates in physical activities, exercises, sports or games requiring physical strength, agility or stamina, regardless of age, gender, skill or ability level," says Managing Director Jessica Seyfert. The logic is: If you believe and know that you are an athlete, you live your life accordingly. For people to change their actions and habits, they must change their minds.

Toward this end, Forever Athletes has interviewed and surveyed various master athletes, and through sharing their "secrets" and habits, Forever Athletes aims to inspire others to make this shift, as well. Since the vision is grand, the site relies on the aid of those who are already aware of their physical gifts to inspire those closest to them who are unaware of the athlete within. 

Forever Athletes is also showcasing everyday people who have stories to tell. For example, you can read the story of Dan and Ash's 9-day, 550-mile bike trip in the site's first eBook. You can also participate by completing a quick survey and connect with the group to look for events in your area.