The Rails to Trails Landowner Rights Act modifies the federal process for converting abandoned railroad rights-of-way into recreational trails. Under current law, states and trail organizations can use abandoned rail corridors for trails without necessarily obtaining approval from adjacent landowners, but this bill requires them to get written consent from all affected property owners and provide compensation at fair market value for any costs caused by the trail use. The bill also requires the Surface Transportation Board to conduct a detailed cost-benefit analysis examining impacts on safety, health, privacy, food security, and local economies before approving any trail project, with the trail sponsor bearing all analysis costs. Additionally, the legislation establishes an advisory committee with eleven members—six landowners, three rail carriers, and two trail sponsors—to recommend maintenance standards for these converted corridors. The committee must submit recommendations to Congress within two years of the bill's enactment, and trail sponsors must agree to maintain the rights-of-way indefinitely or until rail service resumes.
Take Action
Your position
Add a comment
to comment on this bill.
Annotate the text
Highlight any passage on the Summary or Full Text tab to attach a note. Annotations appear on the Annotations tab.