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Senate hearing backs 4‑year rail‑trail pilot to invest in corridors, DNCR/DOT discuss transfers and funding
Summary
Sen. Donovan Fenton sponsored SB 274 to establish a four‑year pilot (with bond funding) to transfer and improve several state rail corridors, create emergency repair funds and expand Bureau of Trails capacity; witnesses described tourism, health and economic benefits and urged tailoring fiscal notes for feasibility.
Senator Donovan Fenton introduced Senate Bill 274 to establish a four‑year pilot program to improve and, in several cases, transfer state‑owned rail corridors into a managed rail‑trail network. The bill would leverage federal, state and private funds and include bond appropriations for staffing, emergency repairs and early‑stage project work.
Sponsor and witnesses said rail trails are a tourism and economic asset. Mike Kowalczyk, a board member of the New Hampshire Rail Trail Coalition and subcommittee participant, told the committee New Hampshire has roughly 632 potential rail‑trail miles when state, municipal and privately owned corridors are combined and that 70% of residents live within five miles of a trail. Kowalczyk cited out‑of‑state examples where…
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