How would you like to see bike trails built over abandoned railway lines? The state of Missouri has been successful in converting over 300 miles of rail lines to bike trails, resulting in a great influx of tourism dollars. Oklahoma's laws need some work to facilitate converting rails to trails. See below for details on what is being done, and how you can get involved.
While existing Federal laws permit rails to trail development, using these laws is rather heavy handed and requires significant local support. Planned legislation would make it easier to implement rail trails, meet the requirements of national recreational trail policy, and assure right-of-way is left intact for future transportation use. Landowners in Oklahoma have an interest in abandoned right-of-way. The US Supreme Court has ruled rail banking and trail use is not abandonment as the long term goal is to be able to reactivate the line for rail use. Tulsa and Oklahoma City have made use of abandoned right-of-way for trails. The hope is by enacting new legislation at the state level trails can be developed in rural areas along inactive rail lines.
With assistance from UCO Professor Dr. Cowan and OSU Professor Dr. Caneday, along with input from city and state planning individuals, the following key factors have been identified to encourage rail trails in Oklahoma:
1. Preserve rail right-of-way as an asset for the economic benefit and security of the people of Oklahoma. This is already Federal policy via rail banking.
2. Release owners of right-of-way (railroad operators, municipal, and private) and adjacent landowners from liability. Currently OK Statutes protect private landowners who permit recreational use of their property, new legislation is needed to protect trail operators and adjacent landowners if users leave a rail trail and trespass on private property.
3. Clearly define permitted uses, i.e. hiking, cycling, equestrian, and prohibited uses, i.e. motorized vehicles, hunting and fishing.
4. Encourage partnerships between railroad companies, state agencies, metropolitan planning organizations, local communities, corporations and non-profits, and private citizens to plan, build, and maintain rail trails across jurisdictional boundaries.
5. Preserve adjacent landowner right to purchase abandoned right of way if trails are not developed and the railroad has no intention of resuming operations.
HB1725 has been introduced by Representative Lewis Moore (Arcadia). Its never too early to contact your legislators to gain support for passage and to let them know what YOU want! No funding is attached to this bill, however Transportation Alternative money is available through grants from the Oklahoma Department Of Transportation for trail development, along with local grants within communities. Hence the requirement for strong partnerships to build and maintain the trails, as has been done in Tulsa.
Oklahoma laws are changed as a result of influence by interested voters. You can help move this legislation to being approved by contacting your Oklahoma Senate and House representatives. At critical times, Oklahoma Cycling advocates will ask your help in reaching out to your representative to let them know your opinion on upcoming votes. You can join the "Rails To Trails" interest group to make sure you are notified of important events. Just click this HERE and let us know of your interest.
For more info: www.railstotrails.org/ Oklahoma
An example of Rails to Trails Success Katy Trail Missouri
Dr. Jerel Cowan Dissertation Rails-To-Trails Conversions in Oklahoma: Politics, Practices and Future