Introducing the Lower Connecticut River Valley Trail

Transcription

1 Introducing the Lower Connecticut River Valley Trail 1

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3 Purpose of Today s Presentation To introduce you to an important opportunity to protect some of the most valuable property in the Lower CT River Valley Region. To seek your support and endorsement of an unique Rails-to-Trails project that will make miles of CT River shoreline accessible to the public. 3

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5 The Lower Connecticut River Is the most important natural resource asset in this region Is recognized as One of the last great places on earth Is the source of our region s eco-tourist-recreation economy Is inaccessible to the public seeking to enjoy its beauty 5

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7 The Vision * To participate in the federal government s America s Great Outdoors (AGO) program, which calls for the creation of a National Blueway along the entire 410 mile length of the CT River allowing more people to enjoy access to the river for recreational purposes. To be accomplished in part by transforming the now unused 100-acre northern portion of the CT River Valley State Park into a multi-purpose trail extending almost 10-miles from Eagle Landing State Park in Tylerville (Haddam) to Maromas (Middletown) and represent the only significant trail directly along the Lower CT River shoreline. To become an important segment of the CT River Heritage Trail, an ambitious project connecting waterfront trails along the CT River from the L.I. Sound to the Canadian border. 7

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9 The Current Situation The CT Valley Railroad State Park was acquired by the state in The property consists of a 300-acre, 22-mile abandoned railroad right of way running from Old Saybrook to Middletown along the Connecticut River. The purchase was made possible by a 50% grant by the Federal Bureau of the Interior (National Park Service) from the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act. This funding requires that the land be used for public outdoor recreation in perpetuity. The Valley Railroad Company has been leasing the entire park from the State since 1970 and has been operating the Essex Steam Train as far north as Tylerville. 9

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11 The Current Situation The 9.25-miles of track between Tylerville and Middletown is non-operational, in derelict condition, and has never been used by the VRC over the 42 years of its lease. Despite that, CTDEEP requires the railroad to spray dangerous herbicidal chemicals such as Diuron for weed control on the right of way, which in many places is just a few feet away from the CT River. In 2009 and 2010 the state made serious attempts to restore the unused right of way as a freight rail corridor. Failing to obtain federal funding and retreating due to public outcry, ConnDOT has removed the park from its rail plan but strongly supports maintaining the park as a rail corridor and opposes conversion to a trail. 11

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13 The Current Situation Even one freight train per week would shut down all the recreational activity in the park because of strict federal NO TRESPASSING requirements. The riverfront would become inaccessible to hikers, fishermen, kayakers, etc. Under the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act, to restore freight service, the state would have to convert the entire 300-acre parcel by substituting land of at least equal fair market value and of reasonably equivalent usefulness and location. 13

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15 Instead of No Trespassing signs, chemical spraying, and the impossible financial and practical burden of finding a suitable replacement property so that an unneeded freight train line can spoil the serenity and beauty of the Lower Connecticut River Valley region, how about this as an alternative? 15

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17 The Dream Creating a one-of-kind trail along the CT River The state should officially railbank the unused northern portion of the park to preserve the corridor for the possibility of future rail service should the need someday be demonstrated. Until that unlikely day occurs Create a one-of-a-kind trail providing hiking, biking, equestrian, and skiing opportunities through the state park. This would enable the public to significantly increase their outdoor recreational activities in this area and enjoy some of the most beautiful riverfront in the country. In addition to recreational activities, the trail could be used by bicycle commuters, especially by linking with CREPA s goal of rails with trails to the south and Connecticut River Heritage Trails to the north. This trail will attract both state residents and tourists to the River Valley and will boost tourism based businesses in the area including the Essex Steam Train. 17

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19 Now is a Perfect Time to Make it Happen This is what the US Dept of the Interior says about AGO: It is a call for a grassroots approach to protecting our lands and waters and connecting all Americans to their natural and cultural heritage. To empower all Americans to share in the responsibility to conserve, restore, and provide better access to our lands and waters in order to leave a healthy, vibrant outdoor legacy for generations yet to come. Devote a portion of federal LWCF funds on projects that promote large scale land conservation, enhance urban parks and community green spaces, and improve river restoration and access. 19

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21 You Can Help by Sending a Letter like this to Commissioner Esty at ConnDEEP Your Letterhead Daniel C. Esty Commissioner Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection 79 Elm Street Hartford, CT We, the, support the goals of the America s Great Outdoors (AGO) Connecticut River Blueway program to provide more trails and access points for water-based recreation along the river. We urge you to include the northernmost 9.25 miles of the Connecticut Valley Railroad State Park in the Blueway program. A multi-purpose riverfront trail from Tylerville (Haddam) to Maromas (Middletown) will greatly enhance outdoor recreational opportunities and access by the public to this part of the beautiful Connecticut River, an area called by the Nature Conservancy one of the last great places on earth. Signed 21

22 Thank you for taking the time to watch this presentation. We hope you will work with us to make the Lower CT River Valley Trail a reality. 22