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Warner rejects citizen petition to suspend Concord-Lake Sunapee Rail Trail construction
Summary
A citizen petition asking Warner to suspend rail-trail construction until an environmental impact statement is completed failed on a paper ballot (Yes 73, No 184). Supporters urged a comprehensive ecological review; the Conservation Commission said it lacks authority and funds to conduct the requested study.
Warner — Town voters on March 12 rejected a citizen petition to suspend construction of the Concord-Lake Sunapee Rail Trail in Warner until a townwide environmental impact statement is completed.
Barbara Marty, who supported the petition, said an exhaustive examination should be completed before more trail construction and cited potential impacts on the Warner River ecosystem and vulnerable species. “There are many wonderful people associated with the Rail Trail Organization and many wonderful places for the Rail Trail to go,” she said, adding that the town needs a comprehensive assessment.
Nancy Martin, speaking for the Warner Conservation Commission, urged a vote against the petition and explained that the commission is an advisory body that is not funded or staffed to perform the kind of comprehensive ecological assessment petitioners requested. She said the commission would need to hire an environmental consultant to conduct the study and that it does not have authority to deny or permit the rail-trail project.
Voters rejected the original citizen petition by paper ballot, 73–184. Earlier attempts to amend the petition to have the Conservation Commission study impacts likewise failed on the ballot. The Select Board had recommended against the article.
The outcome leaves project review and any required environmental analysis to the existing permitting processes and to the project proponents; petitioners said they will continue to press for environmental protections.
