Roanoke River Rails-to-Trails, Incorporated. Annual Report 2005

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1 Roanoke River Rails-to-Trails, Incorporated Annual Report 2005 January 23, 2006

2 Roanoke River Rails-to-Trails, Inc Annual Report Roanoke River Rails to Trails, Inc., a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt Virginia corporation, was formed for the acquisition of abandoned railroad right of way and to coordinate the development of a regional off-road trail system. The bylaws call for representation from each county and each town desiring to join. Currently fifteen localities have joined the Rails to Trails Board of Directors. Roanoke River Rails to Trails Mission: To enrich Southside Virginia s communities and countryside by creating a regional network of public trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors. To develop plans for the establishment and development of recreation, transportation, historic preservation, economic revitalization, open-space conservation and wildlife preservation trails for the enjoyment and use of the general public. This trail network which has come to be known as the Tobacco Heritage Trail, is a system of long distance recreational, multi-use, non-motorized trails. The trail is envisioned as an economic development and quality-of-life tool valuable to bring in tourism dollars and valuable to residents for health and recreational benefits. Additionally the trail will preserve a greenway and a linear link to nature for visitors and residents. The off-road trail is to be limited to non-motorized traffic and for multiple user groups pedestrians, hikers, bicyclists, and horseback riders with portions accessible to those with mobility limitations. More than 150 miles of abandoned railroad corridor have been identified within the Southside counties of Brunswick, Charlotte, Halifax, Lunenburg and Mecklenburg. Some connections via utility easements and other off-road easements, such as the flowage easement of the John H. Kerr Reservoir along the Dan and Staunton Rivers, will be needed. Where on-road is the only practical method for connectivity, county roads will be utilized and identified with unified trail signage. The fully developed Tobacco Heritage Trail is anticipated to extend into other Southside counties including Greensville and Pittsylvania and to connect with other communities greenways and trails. The Virginia Beach Pipeline, much of which is located on the abandoned Virginian Railroad, offers the potential for a connection all the way to the Hampton Roads area. Once the railroad property has been secured and all trail segments connected to create the long distance system capable of attracting travelers, the Tobacco Heritage Trail system will have major economic implications for Southside Virginia. Trail construction began with a four-mile segment connecting La Crosse and Brodnax. Governor Mark Warner officially opening the Tobacco Heritage Trail, cutting the ribbon on this trail segment on September 6, A second trail link was opened with the Historic Clarkton Bridge celebration on October 7, The Clarkton Bridge to Red Hill Trail marks the first of the on-road bike or driving routes on the trail system and links two Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail sites.

3 Project Milestones/Accomplishments Roanoke River Rail-to-Trails Inc. formed as the result of community bike planning efforts in From 2003 to 2004 the organization organized and obtained tax-exempt status as a 501 (c) 3 corporation. The group contacted Norfolk Southern and requested the opportunity to purchase the abandoned rail right-of-way through a five county area. An inventory of the status of abandoned rail corridor was initiated. RRRT received its first grant from Bikes Belong Coalition and development of the first trail segment from La Crosse to Brodnax began. The name Tobacco Heritage Trail was selected to acknowledge region s agricultural history. East Coast Greenways organization utilized a portion of the future trail in October of 2004 and announced its intention of marketing the trail as a part of its designated route from Maine to Florida. Initially the localities were requested to provide $50 to join RRRT and appoint a member to the Board of Directors. This funding was adequate to cover the costs associated with corporate organization while the feasibility of the project was explored. The project was determined to be viable, and in 2005, the member localities were asked to provide an annual contribution to support more activities. The following fee schedule was prepared with sensitivity to member s location relative to the Trail, and thus, direct benefit: County $2,000 Trail-adjacent town $500 Trail-advocate town/county $100 [Trail advocates are communities, which are supporting but non-adjacent and indirectly impacted.] The following are highlights of 2005 activities: 2005 January Roanoke River Rails-to-Trails becomes Jamestown 2007 Community: Project Development of Tobacco Heritage Trail. March Interested parties met; formed initial action committees to help develop the Trail Lake Country Trails Committee. Liability insurance was obtained through the Alliance of Nonprofits for Insurance. 2

4 April 2005 General Assembly approved Governor Warner revised budget, which included $775,000 in the Virginia Works Program for purchasing ROW from Lawrenceville to Jeffress (east of Clarksville, near Occoneechee State Park). Deed of Easement recorded for Roanoke River Rails to Trails to use Mecklenburg IDA ROW (between La Crosse and Brodnax). June Virginia Department of Transportation $230,000 Enhancement grant approved for trail segments in Brunswick, Mecklenburg and Halifax; funds available July 2005 Department of Conservation and Recreation ($49,855) Recreational Trails grant approved for trail construction Brodnax to La Crosse segment; contract signed October Volunteers, Lake Country Trails Committee, town staff cleaned, cleared and partially surfaced La Crosse Brodnax segment for trail opening ceremonies. August 2005 DCR & RRRT entered into agreement for utilization of the Virginia Works funding for the purchase of the Phase I railroad right-of-way from Jeffress to Lawrenceville. $775,000 from General Assembly is being passed through DCR as a grant. SPDC Completed Inventory and Conceptual Plan for Development for Tobacco Heritage Trail. September 6, 2005 Ribbon cutting ceremony for the first phase of the Tobacco Heritage Trail was held with Governor Mark Warner as keynote speaker. The ribbon cutting was held in La Crosse with a reception following at the Brodnax Fire Department. RRRT Board member, Eugene Pierce, a talented woodcarver, presented the Governor with an elegantly crafted walking stick. Many attendees rode bikes, horses and walked along the trail to Brodnax. 3

5 October 2005 Resource Associates completed Appraisal report for the Phase I purchase. Negotiations among Norfolk Southern, DCR, RRRT, and State Officials resulted in tentative Phase I ROW purchase price of $428,500. USDA Rural Development -- approved $25,000 for logo, signage design and Phase I sign purchase; letter of conditions met; awaiting final approval to advertise. Clarkton Bridge to Red Hill Trail ribbon cutting and opening of an on-road segment of the Tobacco Heritage Trail (October 7, 2005). November 2005 Timmons Group conducted Phase I Environmental Survey of Phase I ROW with no major environmental issues identified. An area of dumped materials includes shingles likely containing asbestos, which must be disposed of properly. Wetlands located along the ROW will require coordination with and permits from ACOE, DEQ, and VMRC. National Park Service approved request for assistance through the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program. Ursula Lemanski will be NPS project manager. TEA21 Enhancement Fund application for a $391,695 grant was submitted for Phase II trail development; activities to include preliminary engineering and construction of approximately 8 miles of trail in Brunswick County. The County will be providing $54,000 cash match. Announcement of awards is anticipated by June 2006 and contract award in Tobacco Indemnification Commission made Special Project application for: 1) $14,500 for an Economic Impact Study of Tobacco Heritage Trail on Brunswick, Halifax, Mecklenburg, Charlotte and Lunenburg. Needed for further TICR applications. 2) $105,000 for a Master Plan for the entire Tobacco Heritage Trail 5 counties. Special Projects Committee of TICR scheduled to meet April 19,

6 December 2005 Virginia Land Conservation Foundation Fund Grant approved $352,00 to purchase NS right-of-way in Halifax County located west of South Boston to Pittsylvania county line; Portions of right-of-way to be reserved as nonpublic access. Original request was for $729,100 and included the 20 miles of ROW in Halifax as well as 25 miles of the former Virginia Railway in Brunswick County. Governor Mark Warner proposed FY07 budget includes $950,000 for the extension of Southside Rails to Trails project. Provides for the acquisition of 166 miles of abandoned rail bed from Norfolk Southern. This will be in addition to the 41 miles funded in The Project will create one of the most extensive trail systems in the eastern U.S. and benefit development and expansion of outdoor recreation tourism in Virginia. Listed under Office of Natural Resources-Department of Conservation and Recreation. 5

7 Board of Directors There is currently representation on the RRRT Board from fifteen Southside Virginia localities. Locality Name Date of Appointment (Original Member) Alberta Carla Martindale 8/21/03 Boydton Dave Arnold 8/21/03 Brodnax Eugene A. Pierce 8/18/03 Brunswick County David Clary 10/20/03 Chase City Joseph Epps 3/18/04 Charlotte County P.K. Pettus 8/18/04 Clarksville Melinda Moran 9/5/03 Drakes Branch Roscoe Eubanks 11/10/03 Halifax County Bryan Foster 9/15/03 Halifax town Carl Espy 12/5/03 La Crosse Sandra Tanner 8/21/03 Lawrenceville C.J. Dean 8/28/03 Mecklenburg County William Lewis 12/16/03 South Boston Lee Pambid 9/2/03 South Hill Woodrow Kidd 8/13/03 In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks. John Muir Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride John F. Kennedy No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle. Winston Churchill The civilized man has built a coach, but has lost the use of his feet. Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Self-Reliance,"

8 Right of Way Acquisition Status Report: Virginia Works: Phase I Jeffress to Lawrenceville $775,000 was included in former Governor Mark Warner s Virginia Works program in the FY06 budget for the acquisition of the abandoned railroad right-of-way from Jeffress near Clarksville to Lawrenceville in Brunswick County. This funding was placed in the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) budget and is being provided to Roanoke River Rails-to-Trails (RRRT) as a grant. Signed project agreement with DCR on August 4, The property was appraised by Resource Associates... $ 4, Land appraisal results: Mecklenburg County approximately 291 $1,400/acre = $407,000 Brunswick County approximately 185 $1,500/acre = $277,500 An Environmental Assessment was prepared by Timmons Group...$12, A bargain sale of $428,500 for 40 miles was discussed at a meeting among representatives from Norfolk Southern, DCR and RRRT. This represents approximately 60% of the appraised value. Mr. Gorby of Norfolk Southern (NS) sent that request to his superiors. Once Norfolk Southern agrees to the bargain sale; they will prepare a contract for RRRT to sign that will solidify the agreement. A Quit Claim deed will then be prepared that includes leases for pipe and wire crossings, etc. When completed the deed will be reviewed by the RRRT attorney for form. Closing and payment to Norfolk Southern Estimated time to complete: June Rail Corridor Description County Approximate Mileage (Includes non NS property) NF&D [a.k.a. A&D] Jeffress to WCL South Hill Mecklenburg NF&D Through South Hill (excluded*) Mecklenburg [4.10] NF&D Rocky Branch to WCL Brodnax Mecklenburg 4.09 NF&D Brodnax state road (excluded) Brunswick [1.10] NF&D ECL Brodnax to Lawrenceville Brunswick NF&D Lawrenceville-owned segment* Brunswick [1.00] Phase I Total *Excluded from acquisition

9 Phase II The Secretary of Commerce has sent a Memorandum of Understanding to Norfolk Southern regarding the Phase II sale of the remainder of the NS property of the developing Tobacco Heritage Trail. The purchase is to include: Mecklenburg (NF&D west from Clarksville to the Halifax county line), Halifax (R&D and NF&D railroad corridors), Charlotte (town of Drakes Branch & Keysville vicinity primarily), Lunenburg and Brunswick (Virginian RR). This sale does not include any NS property in North Carolina. Resource Associates, Inc. has been retained to appraise the Phase II right-of-way. Rail Corridor Description County Approximate Mileage (includes non NS property) NF&D Clarksville Mecklenburg.87 NF&D West side of Clarksville/ US 58 Bypass to VA/NC state line near Halifax-Mecklenburg Co. line Mecklenburg NF&D NC Segment below Virgilina* Vance Co. NC [2.93] NF&D NF&D Total (without NC) R&D (Southern) R&D VA/NC state line at Virgilina to Alton/ NC state line South Boston to Pittsylvania- Halifax County line Drakes Branch & Keysville vicinity Halifax Halifax Charlotte 4.70 R&D Total Virginian Virginian Briary [depot] to Lunenburg- Brunswick county line Lunenburg-Brunswick county line to Purdy Lunenburg Prince Edward Brunswick Greensville Virginian Total Phase II mileage *Excluded from acquisition Mileage Source: Southside PDC GIS