Missouri Bicycle News

MoBikeFed's email campaign to encourage officials and Ameren to "Complete the Katy" got a boost from the Rails to Trails Conservancy recently. Rails to Trails posted an Action Alert on its web site:

Advocate groups in Missouri are increasing their efforts to convince state officials and AmerenUE, the railroad company that owns a 65-mile stretch of rail corridor that connects to the Katy Trail, to convert a portion of the Rock Island Railroad line so that trail will cross the state entirely. Aside from the recreational benefits, residents and businesses could experience huge economic benefits as well. When the Katy Trail opened with a cost at $6 million, it generated over $6 million in economic impact within the first year.

Organizers of the effort are encouraging citizens to email Ameren to convince the company to retain their rights to the corridor through granting the trail easement. Ameren now faces legal issues around the failing of the Tam Sauk damn in late 2005. Missouri Governor Matt Blunt and others have suggested the company make the donation as reparation to losses the state faced from the disaster.

Citizens have sent about 1000 emails within less than a 2 month period on this issue.

This has made a big impression on Attorney General Jay Nixon--whose representatives speaking at MOBikeFed's recent BikeMO ride indicated that he supports the idea of including the Katy Trail connection in the negotiations with Ameren. But, they indicated, he needs to continue to hear from citizens, cities, counties, and other groups in support of the Katy Trail connection.

Please take a moment to email your support for the Complete Katy Trail--it only takes a couple of minutes. And if you have done it before it doesn't hurt to do it again after a decent interval (our state leaders can always use the reminder . . . ).

And ask your local bicycle club, civic group, city council, county legislature, parks department, or other group to consider adopting a resolution in favor of completing the Katy Trail.

Related:

News: BikeMO October 15th: Lodging and camping

News: Katy Trail connection to KC--what remains to be done?

permanent link to article: ""Complete the Katy" campaign on Rails to Trails Conservancy"
posted by Brent Hugh at 10/24/2006 08:56:00 PM |comment on this article