You asked what the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has done and is planning to do regarding rails-to-trails projects.

SUMMARY

Rail-to-trail projects are multi-purpose public paths created from former railroad corridors. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has worked on over 100 miles of such projects. DEP continues working closely with the Department of Transportation (DOT), various towns, and the Public Health Department (DPH) to maintain, develop, and promote such trails (also know as Greenways) and recently collaborated with DPH and DOT to publish a book on trails in Connecticut entitled, Pathways Through Connecticut.

According to Leslie Lewis, environmental analyst with DEP's Greenways Assistance Center despite lack of funding and manpower, the DEP's goal is to continue to extend current trails (including an eventual continuous path from New Haven to Massachusetts and Rhode Island). Lewis noted that most projects are maintained by the towns in which they are located or by local organizations.

The national Rails-to-Trails Conservancy supports projects in Connecticut, but it does not fund them. Federal programs provide much of the funding for Connecticut's rails-to-trails projects.

RAILS-TO-TRAILS PROJECTS IN CONNECTICUT

Connecticut rails-to-trails projects include the following trails and locations:

1. Airline State Park Trail-Putnam to Thompson (the Northern Section) and East Hampton to Thompson (Southern Section),

2. Branford Trolley Trail-Branford,

3. Farmington Canal Linear State Park Trail-Chesire to Hampden,

4. Farmington River Trail (Fishing Access Area)-Farmington to Simsbury;

5. Hop River State Park Trail-Manchester to Willimantic River,

6. Larkin State Bridal Trail-Southbury to Hop Brook,

7. Middlebury Greenway-Middlebury,

8. Moosup Valley State Park Trail-Moosup to Sterling,

9. Railroad Ramble-Salisbury to Lakeville,

10. Stratton Brook Trail-Simsbury, and

11. Vernon Rail-Trail (Rockville Spur Trail)-Rockville to Bolton (two sections).

More information about the above trails' locations and uses is attached.

RAILS-TO-TRAILS CONSERVANCY

On the national level, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) is a nonprofit organization that assists communities interested in converting railroad corridors into pedestrian trails. It does not offer direct financial support.

RTC offers assistance in public education, regulatory action, negotiations, and funding sources. RTC is active in Connecticut; its New England regional office is located in Worcester, MA.

FEDERAL FUNDS

The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA 21), (Public Law 105-178 (title 9 § 910, PL 105-178)) enacted in 1998 (it expires September 30, 2003) has provided Connecticut's DOT with rails-to-trails project funding. The DEP receives federal money from the Recreational Trails Program, which currently has approximately $ 50 million available nationally.

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