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Council urges pause on Midwest Continental Divide Trail after wide public opposition over notice, eminent domain and fund governance
Summary
Following extensive public testimony from farmers, landowners and community groups, the council adopted a resolution urging a pause on enacting the Midwest Continental Divide Trail plan so residents can be consulted and fiscal and property‑right concerns addressed. Public speakers warned of 0.5‑mile easements, eminent domain risk, lack of early notification and an opaque governance structure tied to a Pokagon Band compact.
After hours of public testimony on July 27, the South Bend Common Council adopted Resolution 26-21 urging a pause on enactment of the proposed Midwest Continental Divide Trail and calling for greater resident input, fiscal transparency and property-rights safeguards. Council members framed the resolution as a response to widespread concern from landowners in North Liberty and surrounding communities, who said they first learned of trail proposals through media coverage and were not consulted during earlier planning steps.
Multiple landowners testified that the trail plan and related legislation allow a 0.5-mile swath on each side of a trail and raised alarm about eminent domain and potential loss of property value. Chantal Snyder, whose farm lies within the proposed zone, told council members that the compact funding from the Pokagon Band and state provides flexibility in how funds are used and argued the funds need not be spent solely on a trail: "That is patently false," she said of claims that funding would be lost if the project were paused. Brent Burkes (Brent Bercus in the record) criticized consulting costs and urged prioritizing water and environmental remediation in the county. After a lengthy public hearing the council voted 7–1 with one abstention to adopt the resolution, with Council member Thomas Morgan the sole 'nay' and Vice President Neskotsky recorded as abstaining.
