Kentucky Rails to Trail Council, Inc. is a non-profit volunteer organization. The mission of the organization is to “foster and facilitate the conservation of greenways and railroad right-of- ways in Kentucky by the conversion of such holdings to trail use for the general public. Kentucky has 30 trails with rail trail sections. Muhlenberg County Rails to Trail with 6 miles being the longest rail trail followed by the Mammoth Cave Trail at 5 miles.
The Kentucky Rail to Trail Development Office was established by the 2000 General Assembly to help preserve abandoned railroad right-of-ways in Kentucky and use them for public recreation. Under the “rail banking” concept, a public or not-for-profit agency may negotiate to acquire such a right-of-way and develop it as a recreational trail, while the option of future transportation use is preserved. In June 2003, the Rail to Trail Development Office completed a statewide project to inventory all previously abandoned rail corridors and evaluate their suitability for rail-trail conversion. Highlights and conclusions of that study can be viewed at Kentucky Abandoned Railroad Corridors.
The Kentucky Rail to Trail Development Office also monitors abandonment applications and other relevant proceedings at the federal level; disseminates information about proposed abandonments to all potentially interested parties; and provides technical assistance to agencies and political subdivisions that are interested in initiating rail banking procedures or applying for funds. More information about the rail-trail concept, completed and proposed projects in the state, and related matters can be found at the Kentucky Rails to Trails Council website.
Posted by: Attorney Sanders
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