Missouri Bicycle News

The settlement talks that have been going on for over a year between the Missouri state government and AmerenUE about destruction caused in the Taum Sauk dam break may be nearing a conclusion.

The Taum Sauk Settlement and the Katy Trail Connection
Ameren controls the Rock Island Railroad that is the most promising potential route to connect the Katy Trail to the Kansas City metro area. From the very first, the Ameren settlement talks have included the possibility of including trail use of a section of the Rock Island line as part of the settlement--with both Governor Blunt and Attorney General Jay Nixon agreeing that the trail connection should be part of the settlement package.

Documents obtained by MoBikeFed indicate that Ameren's original proposal for creating a trail easement in the Rock Island corridor may create a situation where it is very expensive--perhaps even economically infeasible--to actually build a trail within the easement granted.

The Governor's office has assured MoBikeFed that the government's negotiators understand this problem and the Governor's office supports a solution that will provide for a real, feasible trail connection in the Rock Island corridor.

Governor's race creates problems for negotiators
Over the summer LegalNewsline reported that renewed feuding between Blunt and Nixon had slowed progress in the negotiations, and Missouri Senator Kevin Engler (another friend of cycling who has sponsored or co-sponsored important bicycle-related legislation) is putting pressure on the Governor and Attorney General to finalize and aggreement.

Blunt and Nixon are jockeying for position as they prepare to run against each other in the upcoming Missouri governor's race.

Republican State Sen. Kevin Engler of Farmington, whose district includes the devastated area in Missouri's southeast, told state lawmakers yesterday he's tired of the wrangling over a lawsuit against dam owner Ameren, blogsite MissouriNet reported yesterday evening.

Engler, chairman of the Senate Commerce and Environment Committee, warned Blunt and Nixon that the legislature "might have to resolve the issue" of Taum Sauk. Schools in his district face financial crises through lost property taxes due to the collapse, he pointed out.

The Senator is pushing the legislature to approve a $70 million economic development package for the affected region. The total state suit against Ameren is expected to be worth over $500 million.

How you can help at this crucial point to make the Complete Katy Trail reality
Supporters of the Katy Trail connection to Kansas City--which would complete the Katy Trail essentially state-line to state-line, benefitting all communities along the entire route--can take action to let Blunt, Nixon, and Ameren know of their support for the Complete Katy Trail in two minutes here.

Supporters have sent at least 5000 messages in support of the Complete Katy Trail to the Governor, Attorney General, Ameren, and Department of Natural Resources over the past two years.

This outpouring of citizen support is one of the main reasons the Katy Trail connection has remained on the front burner of the Taum Sauk negotiations.

It needs to continue unabated until the Complete Katy Trail is on the ground!

Related:

News: Katy Trail Connection--where will it go?

Newsletter: PRESS RELEASE: Katy Trail Connection to Kansas City announced

permanent link to article: "Katy Trail-Taum Sauk-Ameren settlement talks may be nearing conclusion"
posted by Brent Hugh at 10/08/2007 01:40:00 PM |comment on this article