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County pursues purchase of 9.2‑acre 'WYE' rail segment and a $5.8M federal TAP grant to connect trails
Summary
The committee agreed to assume SEQRA lead agency for a proposed 9.2‑acre acquisition of the 'WYE' rail segment and authorized applying for up to $5.8 million from the NYS DOT Transportation Alternatives Program (80% federal share; 20% local match). Staff said future improvements will require separate SEQRA review.
The committee moved to assume lead agency status under SEQRA for the proposed purchase of a 9.2‑acre portion of the former Erie Railroad Line (the "WYE") from the Open Space Institute and to type the action as Unlisted with a negative declaration.
Committee members also authorized the County Executive, working with the Department of Planning, to apply for up to $5,800,000 through the NYS DOT Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) to fund acquisition, design and construction to connect the Heritage Trail with the planned Schunnemunk Rail Trail at Camp LaGuardia. Alan J. Sorensen told the committee that OSI will acquire the property from Norfolk Southern and that "this SEQRA covers the purchase of the 'WYE' and any subsequent improvements to it which would be subject to its own independent SEQRA review." He also noted the TAP program deadline and that "the Federal Highway Administration will provide 80%, and the County match will be 20%." Both SEQRA lead-agency assumption and the TAP application were approved by the committee.
