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The Dickinson County Trails Board plans to turn an existing railroad bed into part of the trails system. (File Photo) |
The recent allocation of $525,000 in state grant money will help fund a Dickinson County Trails project aiming to use abandoned railway to connect Dickinson and Osceola counties.
Governor Chet Culver announced the recipients of the State Recreational Trails grant on Tuesday, Oct. 13, naming the Dickinson County railway program among a list of 13 trail projects across the state receiving a total of $4.5 million in funds.
The original railroad corridor trail was obtained from previous owner John Larkin and spans approximately 37 miles from one mile west of Superior to Allendorf, about six miles west of Ocheyedan, in Osceola County. The $855,126 purchase was obtained on Aug. 5 with assistance from The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.
While the initial cost for the entire project will likely total more than $7 million, Litts has discovered additional costs incurred by the removal of old railway ties. Additionally, the Dickinson County Trails Board and the Osceola County Conservation Board are in negotiations to purchase an additional section of land to complete the trail's path into Osceola County.
Litts notes that the State Recreational Trails Program grant is one of three government grants applied for in conjunction with the Osceola County Conservation Board. The additional grants include a State Transportation Enhancement Grant and a Federal Trails Grant. While the recipients of these funds will not be released until February 2010, Litts notes that the State Recreational Trails Program award is a good indicator that more money could soon follow.
"It would also not guarantee, but indicate, that our proposals for the other two grants will probably take a high priority, because they've already given us a big chunk of it, so they're likely to give us more to finish off the purchase," Litts said.
If the other two grants come through, Litts will receive an additional $500,000 in government funding. The Dickinson County Trails Board will be able to put this money to use along with local funding sources.
"What we're doing here is a partnership between local governments, county government, grants and with private donations," Litts said. "I might also add we feel very much a partnership with agencies such as the DNR, DOT, and town councils that exist along the railroad line, as well as area chambers and economic development groups."
For now, Litts sees the State Recreational Trails grant as a seal of approval from the government.
"This is an indication that this project is valued by the DOT not only as a recreational trail, but also that it preserves the transportation corridor," Litts said.
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13 trail projecks to receive $4.5 million in funds, great but the state does not have the money.wait untill the state has the money, don't lay people off of their jobs.
I agree with the previous poster. Also, these trails are starting to encroach more and more on public hunting lands which are paid for exlusively by hunting and fishing license fees. Bike riders (who you would swear are God's gift this state's public lands) do not pay any sort of license or registration fee.