RECREATION GOALS:

• Develop and strengthen partnerships among regional and county tourism groups to support the development and economic benefits of recreational programs.

• Promote the development of trails and greenways as a means to enhance recreation and tourism.

• Promote management of wildlife resources, along with the availability of public lands, to make the area attractive to the increasing demand for hunting, fishing and recreational opportunities

NORTH COUNTRY RAILS TO TRAILS PROJECT

Upon rumor of the impending abandonment of rail lines owned by Genesee Valley Transportation Company (GVT), Black River-St. Lawrence RC&D undertook to put a plan in place that would preserve the rail corridor for future commercial train service, while providing recreational use in the form of year-round, multi-purpose trails.

Under the Rails to Trails Program, RC&D would take ownership from GVT and use “Railbanking” to preserve the integrity of the rail corridor. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is a nonprofit organization working with communities to preserve rail corridors and transform unused rail corridors into trails that enhance the health of America's environment, economy, neighborhoods and people.

Railbanking (as defined by the National Trails System Act, 16 USC 1247 (d)) is a voluntary agreement between a railroad company and a trail agency to use an out-of-service rail corridor as a trail until some railroad might need the corridor again for rail service. Because a railbanked corridor is not considered abandoned, it can be sold, leased or donated to a trail manager without reverting to adjacent landowners.

Project Goals:

The goals of the Rails to Trails project, over and above the preservation of the rail corridor for possible freight service, emphasis:

• Preservation of the corridor for historical value, both the history of the railroad and of local communities along the corridor.

• Bolstering the North Country economy and promoting tourism by creating consistent four season recreation and sustainable economic stimulation and stabilization in the northern counties

• Provide small communities benefit in the form of property values stabilization and increase through residential and property sales

• Trail related businesses expansion  - services, lodging, camping, retail goods - providing a better standard of living & quality of life for families in our more depressed communities

• To raise public awareness of the importance of preserving our natural resources by providing well planned and well maintained recreation trails to assist communities in providing due diligence in the management of outdoor resources for the benefit of its citizens, while protecting more environmentally sensitive areas from abuse, soil degradation and erosion, etc.

• To provide recreational opportunities for everyone, including the disabled and senior citizens

• To provide educational opportunities by creating an open space for schools, scouts and other groups to conduct field trips and study opportunities in natural resources, history and other interests.

• To provide an avenue for extending critical infrastructure into the rural North Country, such as fiber optic lines, improving communication links and high-speed data exchange - necessities to attracting business and light industry - the type of investment that could mean the difference between thriving small communities and economic hardship for North Country residents.

Black River-St. Lawrence RC&D Council partners in this project would include:

• Genesee Valley Transportation Co. (GVT)

• Railroad Historical Society of NNY (RHSNNY)

• Lewis & Jefferson Counties and their IDA’s

• NYS Dept. of Transportation

• NYS & DEC

• Local Communities

• Trail user groups 

http://www.railtrails.org/index.html

Railroad Historical Society

of Northern New York

http://www.newyorktrains.com/

GVT offered this ten-mile strip of track to the Railroad Historical Society of Northern New York (RHSNNY). RHSNNY operates the railroad Museum in Croghan and has a great deal of rail equipment, including a historic Shea steam locomotive. Due to insurance issues, trail opportunities, etc., they brought the project to RC&D and we have partnered to take ownership of the railroad, while RHSNNY would operate an excursion train from Lowville to Croghan on special occasions, and RC&D would operate a year-round, multiuse trail system along the tracks.

In addition, the Village of Lowville has proposed to take ownership and operate a walking trail along the rail corridor in the village, perhaps taking advantage of train yard buildings for local use as farmer’s market, local craft and product sales, etc.

With the corridor safely preserved, the tracks, which are in very poor condition, would be removed and a year-round, multi-purpose trail is planned with the assistance of Lewis and Jefferson County Trail Coordinators. This trail goes through beautiful woods and farmland and accesses Black River for fishing and water recreation, including handicapped access points. It will be a main conduit for tourism from outside the region.

What does your community need? How can you help your community?

Contact Black River-St. Lawrence Resource Conservation and Development Council

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