|
A public proposal
of converting the railroad corridor into a recreational trail started in
the fall of 2001 when a local Laramie, Wyoming, bicycling club proposed
the conversion shortly after the railroad ties and rails were removed. To
gather support and to inform the public, the local bike club, Laramie
Bicycling Network (BikeNet), held three public meetings. In the spring of
2002, two public meetings were held in Laramie, WY, and one in Centennial,
WY. The bike club also convinced the Albany County Board of Commissioners
to hold a Public Hearing leading up to the approval of the Commissioners
to apply for a grant to fund a Feasibility Study of the proposal to make
the railroad corridor a Recreational Trail. The bike club also circulated
surveys to county residents to determine public interest and recommended
uses. Over 140 responses were received with 94% of the respondents
supporting a non-motorized recreational trail.
In the Fall of 2002, Albany County applied for and received a $40,000
grant from the State to conduct a ‘Feasibility Study’ of the proposal of
converting the railroad corridor to a recreational trail. The County hired
a local contractor, Lord Consulting, to conduct the study. The study
included extensive public involvement. During the fall and winter of
2002-2003, 6 Public Meetings and Open Houses were conducted, 3 in
Centennial, WY, and 3 in Laramie, WY. During these meetings, a survey was
also distributed asking what the public thought of the proposal and
possible uses. Over 96 responses were submitted. By the spring of 2003,
the Feasibility Study was completed and it recommended the conversion of
the railbed on National Forest Lands to be converted to a non-motorized
recreational trail.
The Laramie Ranger District of the Medicine Bow National Forest began the
NEPA process to analysis this public proposal in the summer of 2003.
Formal scoping was conducted and several newspaper articles, as was as a
legal notice, were published in the local newspaper. In addition, 359
letters were sent out to interested and potentially affected individuals,
groups, organizations, tribes and agencies. In early 2004, we mailed the
Environmental Assessment (EA) out for a 30-day comment period, which
included an article in the local newspaper. Finally, in April, 2005, a
final decision was issued supporting the proposal and again a newspaper
article was in the local paper explaining the project and possible
timelines for construction. The District applied for and received a
$326,000 grant from the State (WDOT - Transportation Enhancement Act
funding program) to begin implementation of the project. The District also
received funding from several partners, including the bike club (BikeNet),
City of Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities, and the Wyoming Institute for
Disabilities (WIND).
The Medicine Bow National Forest was also in the process of revising the
Forest Plan. The Plan included the conversion of the railroad corridor
into a recreational trail. The planning effort had several public meetings
which discussed the Plan, including this proposal. The Forest Plan was
signed in late 2003 telling the public that it was a goal for the Forest
to convert the railroad corridor within the National Forest into a
non-motorized recreational trail.
Conversion of the railroad corridor into a recreational trail (ie. rail
trail) began in the summer of 2005. Several trailheads and associated
facilities (ie. fishing pier, boardwalk, toilets, etc.) on National Forest
lands have been completed. Improvement work across the private parcels has
been put on hold until the legal status of the ROW’s has been determined.
Late in 2005, the District received an additional $200,000 State (TEA)
grant to continue work on the implementation of the project in 2006.
Completion is expected by the Fall of 2006.
By
Clint Kyhl, Laramie District Ranger, Medicine Bow National Forest
|
.jpg)
