Search results matching tag 'corridor research'

Southern Links Rail Trail Easement Agreement

StephenMRTC — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:43:20 GMT

This is a sample easement for the Southern Links Rail Trail in Michigan. Found at the Michigan Trails & Greenways Alliance.

U.S. EPA: Brownfields and Land Revitalization

StephenMRTC — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:40:10 GMT

Brownfields are real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Cleaning up and reinvesting in these properties protects the environment, reduces blight, and takes development pressures off greenspaces and working lands. On this site, you can find information about US EPA's Brownfields Program including the Brownfields Law, Brownfields Grants, Land Revitalization Information, and more.

Best Management Practices for Controlling Exposure to Soil during the Development of Rail Trails

StephenMRTC — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:33:07 GMT

This document summarizes Best Management Practices (“BMPs”) that should be considered before, during, and after former railroad lines are converted to recreation trails. These BMPs have been developed to eliminate or minimize potential exposures to residual oil or hazardous materials commonly found along railroad rights-of-way being converted to rail trails. This document also identifies locations and conditions for which the application of BMPs alone may not be sufficiently protective of public health and the environment.

These BMPs have been developed specifically for situations where a municipality has acquired a property interest in a rail corridor from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) in order to convert the corridor to a rail trail, This fact sheet is relevant to municipalities: (1) with specific knowledge of a release of oil or hazardous materials through testing or other means and/or (2) without specific knowledge of a release, that seek to prevent the exposure of persons to oil or hazardous materials that may be present in such corridor until a responsible person conducts response action under MGL Chapter 21E.

Considering Contamination in a Rail-Trail Conversion

StephenMRTC — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:15:47 GMT

Connections: The National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse newsletter, Winter 2004.

Development of Transportation Enhancement (TE) projects always entails a basic level of environmental review. In some cases, the environmental review and remediation process can be complicated by the presence of toxic substances. The rehabilitation of a historic building could require removal of lead paint or asbestos; creation of a new park on a former industrial site could necessitate removal of contaminated soils; and construction of a trail on an abandoned rail corridor could involve cleanup of toxic metals, chemicals, and other contaminants.

In 2004, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy released a report entitled Understanding Environmental Contaminants—Lessons Learned and Guidance to Keep your Rail-Trail Project on Track, to educate planners and trail managers about the environmental cleanup process. Though the report focuses on rail-trails, it offers information and tips that are applicable to other types of TE projects. The following is a modified excerpt of the report.

Creating Connections: The Pennsylvania Greenways and Trails How-To Manual

StephenMRTC — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:10:33 GMT

The Creating Connections Manual describes the process for creating, acquiring, constructing, and managing Pennsylvania Greenways. The manual encourages collaboration among citizens, civic organizations, governments, and the private sector to effectively develop greenways. This document is useful for a wide range of greenway participants and levels of involvement--from those getting involved for the first time at the local level to those with substantial expertise.

Printed copies of Creating Connections: The Pennsylvania Greenways and Trails How-To Manual are available for $15. Contact Carol Meyers at (215) 563-0250 or cmeyers@pecphila.org or send a check, payable to PEC, to Pennsylvania Environmental Council, 117 South 17th Street, Suite 2300, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

Great American Rail-Trail: Milwaukee Road Segment, Montana Inventory and Assessment: Phase I and II

StephenMRTC — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 21:48:02 GMT

The Great American Rail-Trail is an important component of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s vision of a national transportation network of rail-trails, canal towpaths, or dedicated greenways to commute to work or school, shop, or even bike or walk across the country. The trail will be a coast-to-coast, offroad, non-motorized trail accessible to bicyclists, hikers, wheelchair users, equestrians, in-line skaters and others. Extending from Washington, D.C., to Seattle, it will travel through Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, and Washington. Currently, 33 percent of the proposed coast-to-coast route is open for use and another 37 percent is in the project stage. The largest gaps exist in Montana and Iowa. This report examines the Montana segment for trail development opportunities to link into the national network.

Milwaukee Road Rail-Trail in Idaho: Inventory and Assessment

StephenMRTC — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 21:17:58 GMT

Over 150 years ago, in 1847, the railroad which was to become known as the “Milwaukee Road” was incorporated and by 1905 extended from Chicago to Puget Sounds, Washington. A technical marvel, “it pioneered long-distance electrification (656 route miles), was constructed of all-welded freight and passenger cars, and operated high-speed intercity passenger trains. (The steam powered Hiawatha commonly ran over 100 m.p.h..) The road employed thousands and touched millions during its operation.”1 It is our hope that the legacy of the Milwaukee Road can be preserved. Through the establishment of a trail, users will once again be able to traverse the trestles, submerge themselves in the tunnels, enjoy the beauty of the landscape, and soak in the history of a route vital to U.S. history.

Understanding Environmental Contaminants: Lessons Learned and Guidance to Keep Your Rail-Trail Project on Track

StephenMRTC — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 21:11:18 GMT

This report serves as a national resource guide to assist communities in utilizing new and existing brownfield programs to understand and address environmental clean-up issues that may inhibit the conversion of unused rail rights-of-way (ROW) into multi-use trails. RTC's objective was to address brownfield concerns by researching appropriate legal, funding and construction issues related to rail-to-trail conversions. The findings of this research will assist local communities to resolve potentially complex contamination occurrences by employing successful strategies outlined in this report.

Secrets of Successful Rail-Trails: An Acquisition and Organizing Manual for Converting Rails into Trails

StephenMRTC — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:43:32 GMT

Secrets of Successful Rail-Trails will help overcome any obstacles that arise during your conversion process. By reading this book, you will learn the three fundamental "secrets": building a solid, broad-based citizen coalition; forminga strong partnership with a government agency; and developing a written plan of action. These are the key ingredients to any successful rail-trail.

Acquiring Rail Corridors: A How To Manual

StephenMRTC — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:34:22 GMT

Acquiring a rail corridor presents unique issues that cannot be adequately addressed through the process of public persuasion. Without a transaction, there will be no trail.

That's where Acquiring Rail Corridors fits in.Acquiring Rail Corridors summarizes the knowledge of the country's leading attorneys, nonprofit land acquisition agents, local park directors and rail-trail builders who have successfully acquired rail corridors for trail use.

After reading this book, we hope you will be able to approach a railroad with confidence... and be able to strike a deal. Remember, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is ready to assist you.