08/27/92 Agenda & Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

RESOLUTION NO. PR-1 • CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW COUNTY OF RAMSEY STATE OF MINNESOTA RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE THAT ABANDONED RAILROAD GRADES IN MINNESOTA BE PRESERVED FOR PUBLIC USE WHEREAS, over 50 percent of Minnesota's railroad grades have been abandoned (over 5,000 miles) in the last 60 years and another 800 to 1,000 miles of railroad grades are projected to be abandoned in the next decade; and WHEREAS, Minnesota's railroad grades have maximum value for transportation and recreation purposes and the potential to host communication lines only so long as they are intact; and WHEREAS, the public cost of acquisition is increased once grades and have been sold off in small parcels; and WHEREAS, abandoned railroad grades often provide the only feasible route for • new trail development particularly in highly urbanized areas; and WHEREAS, these grades often contain remnant prairie species and provide significant wildlife habitat; and WHEREAS, abandonments are often unpredictable and time for public acquisition can be relatively short; and WHEREAS, engineering of railroad grades meets the needs of walkers, bicyclists and others with their gentle grades and turns and separation from automobile traffic; and WHEREAS, substantial public interest exists in preserving these grades for public use. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mounds View Parks and Recreation Commission forwards the following recommendations to the State Legislature: 1. That all abandoned railroad grades be expediently preserved until such time that the future public use can be determined. • 2. That a fund be established for the preservation of abandoned rail corridors if public use is deemed desirable.