Search results matching tag 'railbanking'

National Parks Service: National Trails System Act

StephenMRTC — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:24:09 GMT

In order to provide for the ever-increasing outdoor recreation needs of an expanding population and in order to promote the preservation of, public access to, travel within, and enjoyment and appreciation of the open-air, outdoor areas and historic resources of the Nation, trails should be established (i) primarily, near the urban areas of the Nation, and (ii) secondarily, within scenic areas and along historic travel routes of the Nation which are often more remotely located.

The purpose of this Act is to provide the means for attaining these objectives by instituting a national system of recreation, scenic and historic trails, by designating the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail as the initial components of that system, and by prescribing the methods by which, and standards according to which, additional components may be added to the system.

National Trails Training Partnership: Rails-to-Trails Resource Library

StephenMRTC — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:11:49 GMT

American Trails is the only national, nonprofit organization working on behalf of all trail interests, including hiking, bicycling, mountain biking, horseback riding, water trails, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, trail motorcycling, ATVs, snowmobiling and four-wheeling. American Trails members want to create and protect America's network of interconnected trails.

The resources in this library feature projects involving the conversion of abandoned railroad rights of way to trails and greenways across the country. Within the page, entries are divided into the following categories: design, management, projects, in the news, strategies, legal issues, and rails with trails.

Surface Transportation Board: Information on Rails-to-Trails

StephenMRTC — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:55:43 GMT

Under the National Trails System Act, 16 U.S.C. 1247(d), the STB is given an administrative role in assisting carriers who wish to rail-bank their corridors as an alternative to a complete abandonment of the line, thus preserving the rail corridor for possible future use.

The railroad may form an agreement with any person, public or private, who would like to use the banked rail line as a trail or linear park until it is again needed for rail use.

The STB assists in this process by imposing a Notice of Interim Trail Use (NITU) in the abandonment decision.

Who Actually Owns the Right-of-Way?

StephenMRTC — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 18:44:49 GMT

Although the general public thinks of a corridor as being “owned” by a railroad, in reality the average rail right-of-way is often a hodge-podge of conflicting ownership interests, which may begin to unravel upon abandonment of the right-of-way. The railroad may own outright some portions of the corridor (which were acquired in “fee simple”) while it may have only the right to use other portions (which are held in “easement”).

Determining actual ownership requires a title search, which can be both complicated and time consuming. Preferably, a knowledgeable professional (usually a lawyer) will conduct the title search, either for the railroad, for an interested government body, or as a volunteer for a rail-trail advocacy group. However, if a professional is not already conducting a search, here is a thumbnail guide to conducting one on your own.

Railbanking - What, Where, Why, When and How

StephenMRTC — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 18:32:02 GMT

In 1983, concerned by the rapid contraction of America’s rail network, the U.S. Congress amended the National Trails System Act to create the railbanking program. Railbanking is a method by which lines proposed for abandonment can be preserved for future rail use through interim conversion to trail use. Railbanking can be requested by either a public agency or a qualified private organization at the time that the railroad files for abandonment with the Surface Transportation Board (STB), formerly the Interstate Commerce Commission.

This document includes a sample of a request for railbanking including a Statement of Willingness to Assume Financial Responsibility and a Public Use Condition.

Railbanking and Rail-Trails: A Legacy for the Future

StephenMRTC — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:58:07 GMT

In an effort to conserve rail corridors while still allowing rail carriers to discontinue use on unprofitable lines, the Congress included a unique and prescient provision within the National Trails System Act Amendments of 1983. The Rails to Trails Act allowed the federal government to regulate the disposition of soon-to-be abandoned railroad lines to preserve the right-of-way in case the need for future rail use arose, and make way for the development of alternative transportation uses for railway corridors, including trails. This process is called “railbanking.”

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.