Santa Paula Branch Line Recreational Trail Compatibility Survey

Santa Paula Branch Line Recreational Trail Compatibility Survey April 3, 2015

SantaPaulaBranchLineVCTC

December,2014

TableofContents  1Introduction............................................................................................................................... ................2 2Background&Context............................................................................................................................... 3 3SummaryofFindings............................................................................................................................... ...4 3.1

DesignandManagementStrategies............................................................................................................................... ..4

3.2

Indemnification............................................................................................................................... ..................................5

3.3

NationalTrailInventory............................................................................................................................... .....................6

3.4

LiteratureReview............................................................................................................................... ...............................9

4DetailedTrailInformation........................................................................................................................ 11 4.1

SanPasqualValleyAgriculturalTrail,SanDiego,CA.......................................................................................................11

4.2

FredMeijerHeartlandTrail,Edmore,MI........................................................................................................................ 15

4.3

CowellͲPurisimaCoastalTrail,SanMateoCounty,CA....................................................................................................18

4.4

BobJonesBikeTrail,SanLuisObispo,CA....................................................................................................................... 21

4.5

ObernTrail,SantaBarbaraCounty,CA........................................................................................................................... 24

4.6

MusketawaTrail,OttawaandMuskegonCounties,MI..................................................................................................27

4.7

CedarValleyNatureTrail,LinnCounty,IA......................................................................................................................30

4.8

LakeWobegonTrail,StearnsCounty,MN......................................................................................................................33

4.9

WestCountyandJoeRodotaTrails,SonomaCounty,CA...............................................................................................36

5OtherTrails............................................................................................................................... ................39 6AppendixA–SanDieguitoRiverValleyJPAIndemnificationResolution................................................44 



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1 INTRODUCTION Thisreportisaninventoryandanalysisofexistingtrailsinagriculturalsettings,withafocusontrailsthatare mostcomparabletothecontextoftheSantaPaulaBranchLine(SPBL)inVenturaCounty.Theobjectivewasto findtrailsthathavebeensuccessfullyimplementedandoperatedinactiveagriculturalareassimilartothe proposedSPBLtrail,andidentifythechallengestheyfacedandthefactorsthatmadethemsuccessful. Significanteffortwasmadetocontacttheagriculturalowner/operatorsadjacenttothetrailregardingtheir experienceandperspective,aswellasthatofthetrailowner/operator.Whilethisstudywasconducted specificallyfortheSPBL,thefindingsareapplicabletootherareaswheretrailsmaytraverseagricultural properties. Criteriaforcomparableexamplesincluded: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Trailcorridorsthatpassthroughactiveagriculturalareas;particularlyrowcropsandorchards; PavedtrailsthathavearangeandlevelofusecomparabletowhatisenvisionedinVenturaCounty; FocusontrailsinCaliforniaorcomparableagricultural/environmentalsetting; Trailsforwhichdetailedinformationcouldbeobtainedforthetrailowner/operator,andifpossible fromtheadjacentagriculturalowner(s)/operators.

Overthirtytrailswereidentifiedmatchingthefirstcriteria,aslistedinSection3.3.Ofthose,ninetrailswiththe greatestsimilaritytotheSPBLhavebeenselectedfordetailedprofilesinSection4.Informationgatheredforthe remainingtrailsispresentedinSection5. Inadditiontothetrailresearchandcasestudies,areviewoftechnicalliteratureandguidelinesrelatedtotrails inagriculturalsettingswasperformed.Themostrelevantliterature,themes,andfindingsaresummarizedin Section3.4.

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2 BACKGROUND&CONTEXT Stretching32milesfromHighway101inthewesttotheLosAngelesCountylineintheeast,theSantaPaula BranchLine(SPBL)railcorridorpassesthroughthecitiesofSantaPaulaandFillmoreaswellasactiveagricultural areas.While29milesoftrackremaininactiveuse,thefutureuseofthecorridoristobedetermined.The VenturaCountyTransportationCommission(VCTC)purchasedthecorridorin1995fromtheSouthernPacific TransportationCompanyandmanagesthecorridorwiththepotentialtodevelopfreight,commuterrail, utilities,and/orrecreationaltrailsandparks.TherightͲofͲwayaverages100feetwide,butvariesinplacesfrom 30to250feetwide. Intheyear2000,VCTCadoptedtheSantaPaulaBranchLineRecreationalTrailMasterPlanandcertifiedthe SantaPaulaBranchLineRecreationalTrailMasterPlanEnvironmentalImpactReport(EIR).TheSPBL RecreationalTrailMasterPlanprovidesdesignguidelines,preliminaryengineering,andapreferredalignment forthetrail,traversingthecitiesofVentura,SantaPaula,Fillmore,thecommunityofPiru,andagriculturalareas inunincorporatedVenturaCounty.Todate,threetrailsegmentshavebeenconstructedinSantaPaula,Fillmore, andPiru.Inresponsetosignificantconcernsandprotestfromagriculturalinterests,trailconstructioninthe agriculturalareasoftheunincorporatedCountywasprohibitedbya15ͲyearagreementbetweenVCTC,the County,andpropertyownersadjacenttotheSPBL.ThisagreementexpiresinFebruary2015. TherailcorridorisownedinfeebyVCTC.AlongmuchoftheSPBL,agriculturaloperationslineboththenorth andsouthsidesoftheVCTCrightͲofͲwayandinsomeareasencroachontothe100ͲfootrightͲofͲway,pursuant toexistingleaseagreementsbetweenVCTCandtheagriculturaloperators.Manyagriculturalcrossingsare legallyentitled;ofthese,somearelocationͲspecificwhileothersaregenerallyorvaguelylocated.Somefarmers aretravelingontherightͲofͲwaylaterallywithoutthelegalrighttodoso.AgriculturalusesalongtheSPBL changeinresponsetomarketdemandandcropviability.Currently,theadjacentpropertiesgenerallyinclude rowcropsandorchards(e.g.,avocadosandlemons). In2013,theCountypreparedengineeringplansandanEIRaddendumforitsPiruCommuterBicyclePathPhase IIIProject,whichproposedconstructionandoperationforanapproximately1ͲmilesegmentofthelargerSPBL RecreationTrailinthePiruarea.Theprojectwasmetwithsignificantoppositionfromagriculturalinterests, includingtheFarmBureau;theVenturaCountyCoalitionofLabor,AgricultureandBusiness;andtheCounty AgriculturalCommissioner.Concernsexpressedbyagriculturallandownersandinterestsincludedvandalism, litter,increasedliability,trespassing,thepotentiallossoftheabilitytocrosstheSPBLcorridor,andthepotential lossofexistingfarmlandtobuffersbetweenrecreationalandagriculturaluses. Asthe15ͲyearagreementbetweenVCTC,theCounty,andpropertyownersadjacenttotheSPBLapproachesits end,newstrategiesaresoughttoaddresstherelationshipbetweenagriculturalandrecreationalinterests,inthe hopethattheconstructedportionsoftrailalongtheSPBLcanbejoinedintoacontinuouswholereachingthe coast.Thisreportinvestigatestrailsthathavebeenimplementedinactiveagriculturalareas,andreviewshow theyaffectedagriculturaloperationsandfoodproduction.Outreachmethods,negotiationsbetweeninterested parties,trailandbufferdesign,andtrailmanagementpoliciesandstrategiesareevaluatedfortheirsuccessor failureinbalancingtheneedsofallstakeholders. 



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3 SUMMARYOFFINDINGS Trailsandactiveagricultureareascananddoexistinharmony,asdemonstratedbyexamplesfromacrossthe UnitedStates,includingawiderangeofuselevels,trailsurfaces,andmanagementpolicies.Thefollowing strategieshavebeenessentialtothesuccessoftrailsinagriculturalareas: x x x x x x

Indemnificationoffarmersagainstliabilityfromtrailuse(inCaliforniathereareexistingstatutesthat providestrongprotections); Fencingtoclearlydelineatetrailandagriculturalareasandprovidebarriers; Policiesandagreementsthatgivefarmerstheabilitytocloseportionsofthetrailwhenagricultural operationswouldotherwisebelimitedbyorhazardoustotrailusers; Controlledcrossingsthatallowfarmequipmenttoreachbothsidesofthetrail,wherenecessary; Signagetoalerttrailuserstothepresenceofactiveagriculturaloperationsandinstructinguserstostay onthetrail; MaintainingandobservingthetrailataleveltominimizevandalismandencourageaselfͲpolicing environment.

3.1 DesignandManagementStrategies ThemostcommonthreadinsuccessfultrailplanningandmanagementinagriculturalsettingshasbeenoneͲonͲ onecooperationbetweentrailoperatorsandadjacentfarmersandlandowners.Bydevelopingtheseindividual relationships,trailmanagersareabletoaccommodateconcernsoffarmersthatarespecifictothelandfeatures, crops,operationsandmachineryrequiredforunimpededfarming.Whilefarmbureausandotheragricultural representativebodieshave,asamatterofpolicy,opposedrecreationalusesadjacenttofarmland,individual farmersadjacenttothetrailsanalyzedinthisstudyhavereportedverylittle,ifany,conflictwithtrailoperations, trailusers,orhavehadtheirfarmingoperationshamperedbyadjacenttrails.Illegaldumping,whenithasbeen documented,hasbeentheresponsibilityofthetrailoperatortocleanup,andthepresenceofthetrailremoves thefarmoperator’sresponsibility.Concernsoftrespassing,theft,andvandalismhavenotbeensupportedby evidence. Ofalldocumentedmanagementpractices,oneofthemostcommonistheabilitytoclosethetrail,orportions thereof,toallowagriculturaloperationssuchassprayingtooccurwithoutthedangerofaffectingtrailusers. Designmeasuresthathavehelpedminimizeconflictincludefencingand/orplantedbuffersbetweentrailsand crops,andthedesignandmaintenanceofregulartrailcrossingsandgatesforfarmers. Thetopicoftrailsthroughagriculturalareasdeservesadditionalongoingstudy.Asevidencedinthisreport, existingstudiesoftrails,policies,andguidelinestoaddresstheinteractionsofrecreationwithfarmsarescarce. Thisstudyattemptstobringsomeofthestrategiesalreadyinplaceintrailsthroughoutthenationintoan organizedcollection,whilehighlightingthemosteffectivemanagementtechniques,designelements,and outreachmethods.Ofutmostimportanceisthattrailplannersandoperatorsmakedirectcontactwithadjacent farmersandlandownersandallowflexibilityintraildesignandmanagementtomeettheindividualneedsof affectedstakeholders.

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3.2 Indemnification TheCaliforniaGovernmentCodeincludesprotectionsforlandownersandfacilityoperatorsfromlegalclaimsby recreationalusers.Countiesandtrailoperatorshave,insomecases,chosentoimplementspecificpoliciesto furtherindemnifytrailͲadjacentfarmersandlandownersfromliabilityforanyharmthatmaycometotrailusers. ApplicableCaliforniacodesandaselectionofcountyandoperatorͲspecificpoliciesarereproducedbelow. CaliforniaGovernmentCode§831.4providesprotectiontopublicentitiesandeasementgrantorsfromliability tousersofrecreationaltrails,regardlessoftrailsurface: 831.4.Apublicentity,publicemployee,oragrantorofapubliceasementtoapublicentityforanyof thefollowingpurposes,isnotliableforaninjurycausedbyaconditionof:(a)Anyunpavedroadwhich providesaccesstofishing,hunting,camping,hiking,riding,includinganimalandalltypesofvehicular riding,watersports,recreationalorscenicareasandwhichisnota(1)citystreetorhighwayor(2) county,stateorfederalhighwayor(3)publicstreetorhighwayofajointhighwaydistrict,boulevard district,bridgeandhighwaydistrictorsimilardistrictformedfortheimprovementorbuildingofpublic streetsorhighways.(b)Anytrailusedfortheabovepurposes.(c)Anypavedtrail,walkway,path,or sidewalkonaneasementofwaywhichhasbeengrantedtoapublicentity,whicheasementprovides accesstoanyunimprovedproperty,solongassuchpublicentityshallreasonablyattempttoprovide adequatewarningsoftheexistenceofanyconditionofthepavedtrail,walkway,path,orsidewalk whichconstitutesahazardtohealthorsafety.Warningsrequiredbythissubdivisionshallonlybe requiredwherepathwaysarepaved,andsuchrequirementshallnotbeconstruedtobeastandardof careforanyunpavedpathwaysorroads. (CaliforniaGovernmentCodeSection831.4.http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgiͲbin/displaycode?section=gov&group=00001Ͳ 01000&file=830Ͳ831.8)

Further,CaliforniaCivilCode§846specificallyindemnifiesprivatelandownersagainstliabilityforany recreationalusersenteringtheirproperty: 846.Anownerofanyestateoranyotherinterestinrealproperty,whetherpossessoryor nonpossessory,owesnodutyofcaretokeepthepremisessafeforentryorusebyothersforany recreationalpurposeortogiveanywarningofhazardousconditions,usesof,structures,oractivitieson suchpremisestopersonsenteringforsuchpurpose,exceptasprovidedinthissection. A"recreationalpurpose,"asusedinthissection,includessuchactivitiesasfishing,hunting,camping, watersports,hiking,spelunking,sportparachuting,riding,includinganimalriding,snowmobiling,andall othertypesofvehicularriding,rockcollecting,sightseeing,picnicking,naturestudy,naturecontacting, recreationalgardening,gleaning,hanggliding,wintersports,andviewingorenjoyinghistorical, archaeological,scenic,natural,orscientificsites. Anownerofanyestateoranyotherinterestinrealproperty,whetherpossessoryornonpossessory, whogivespermissiontoanotherforentryorusefortheabovepurposeuponthepremisesdoesnot thereby(a)extendanyassurancethatthepremisesaresafeforsuchpurpose,or(b)constitutethe persontowhompermissionhasbeengrantedthelegalstatusofaninviteeorlicenseetowhomaduty ofcareisowed,or(c)assumeresponsibilityfororincurliabilityforanyinjurytopersonorproperty causedbyanyactofsuchpersontowhompermissionhasbeengrantedexceptasprovidedinthis section.



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Thissectiondoesnotlimittheliabilitywhichotherwiseexists(a)forwillfulormaliciousfailuretoguard orwarnagainstadangerouscondition,use,structureoractivity;or(b)forinjurysufferedinanycase wherepermissiontoenterfortheabovepurposewasgrantedforaconsiderationotherthanthe consideration,ifany,paidtosaidlandownerbythestate,orwhereconsiderationhasbeenreceived fromothersforthesamepurpose;or(c)toanypersonswhoareexpresslyinvitedratherthanmerely permittedtocomeuponthepremisesbythelandowner. Nothinginthissectioncreatesadutyofcareorgroundofliabilityforinjurytopersonorproperty. (CaliforniaCivilCodeSection846.http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgiͲbin/displaycode?section=civ&group=00001Ͳ01000&file=840Ͳ 848)

SanDiegoCountyOrdinanceNumber9233(the“TrailDefenseandIndemnificationOrdinance”)providesa similarindemnificationagreement,butspecificallyforownersofparcelscontainingoradjacenttorecreational trails.Specificindemnificationlanguagefromtheordinanceisbelow: Sec.812.103.INDEMNITY.TheCountyofSanDiegowilldefendandindemnifyanownerofaparcelof landasdescribedinthischapter,fromallclaims,demandsorliabilityforinjurytopersonorproperty thatoccursonthetrail,orincidentaltouseofthetrail,whenusedforanyrecreationalpurpose, excludinginjuryoccurringinanyofthefollowingcircumstances: a) Theowner'swillfulormaliciousfailuretoguardorwarnagainstadangerouscondition,use, structureoractivity; b) Wherepermissionforrecreationalusewasgrantedforaconsiderationotherthanthebenefit receivedatthetimeofdedication; c) Wherethepersonsufferinginjurywasexpresslyinvitedbytheownertousethetrailfora recreationalpurposeratherthanmerelypermittedtouseit; d) Wherethepersonsufferinginjuryisamemberoftheowner'shousehold. (SanDiegoCountyOrdinanceNumber9233.http://www.sandiegocounty.gov/cob/ordinances/ord9233.pdf)

AlsoinSanDiegoCounty,theSanDieguitoJointPowersAuthority(JPA),operatoroftheSanPasqualValley AgriculturalTrail(seepage11),passedaresolutiontospecificallyindemnifyfarmersadjacenttothetrailagainst claimsfromtrailusers.TheJPAcarriesinsurancetoassistinthelegaldefenseofsuitsbroughtagainstland owners,andalsoassistswithlegalcounsel.Thisresolution,asappliedtotheMuleCreekTrail(withasimilar agriculturaladjacency)appearsinAppendixA. Inareaswithactiveagriculturaloperations,adequatesignagealertingtrailuserstofarmingactivitiesand equipmentshouldbeinstalledtoalertuserstothepossibilityofhazardousconditions.

3.3 NationalTrailInventory InordertoidentifytrailsthataremostapplicabletotheSPBL,anationwideinventorywascompletedoftrails thatpassthroughoradjacenttoactiveagriculturallands.Datawasgatheredforeachofthesetrailsandusedto determinewhichtrailsweremostcomparabletotheSPBL.Trailsincludedinthisnationalinventoryareshownin Table1.Fromthislistthemostpertinentnineexampleswereselectedformoredetailedcasestudies. InformationontheremainingtrailsisprovidedinSection5. 

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Table1–NationalTrailInventory–TrailsinAgriculturalSettings NAMEOFPROJECT



STATE

COUNTY

CITY

ArundellBarrancaBikePath

CA

Ventura

Unincorporated

BobJonesPathway

CA

SanLuisObispo

AvilaBeach

CatskillScenicTrail

NY

Delaware,Schoharie



CedarValleyNatureTrail

IA

Linn



ConewagoRecreationalTrail

PA

Lebanon,Lancaster



CowellͲPurisimaCoastalTrail

CA

SanMateo

SouthofHalfMoon Bay

FredMeijerHeartlandTrail

MI

Edmore

Edmore,MI

GoletaBicycleRoute

CA

SantaBarbara



HanoverTrolleyTrail

PA

York



HarlemValleyRailTrail

NY

Dutchess,Columbia



HartͲMontagueTrail

MI

Muskegonand Oceana



HennepinCanalParkway

IL

Bureau,Henry, Whiteside



IceAgeTrail

WI

Statewide



JoeRodotaTrail

CA

Sonoma

SantaRosato Sebastopol

JohnWaynePioneerTrail

WA

King,Kittitas



LakeWobegonTrail

MN

Stearns



LakelandsTrail

MI

Ingham,Livingston, andWashtenaw



LatahTrail

ID

Latah

Moscow

MacombOrchardTrail

MI

Macomb



CA

Alameda,Calaveras, ContraCosta, Tuolumne



MokelumneCoasttoCrestTrail

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NAMEOFPROJECT

STATE

COUNTY

CITY

MontereyBayScenicSanctuaryTrail

CA

SantaCruz

3mileseastofSanta Cruz

MulletHallEquestrianTrailSystem

SC

Charleston



MusketawaTrail

MI

Ottawa,Muskegon



NorwottuckRailͲTrail

MA

Hampshire

Belchertown, Northampton

OakCreekTrail

NE

Butler,Saunders



ObernTrail(AtascaderoBiketrail)

CA

SantaBarbara



OhloneRailTrail

CA

SantaCruz



RaccoonRiverValleyTrail

IA

Dallas



RowRiverTrail

OR

Lane



RussellBoulevardBikePath

CA

Yolo,Solano

BetweenDavisand Winters

SanPasqualValleyAgriculturalTrail/MuleHill HistoricTrail

CA

SanDiego

SanDiego

SaukRailTrail

IA

Carroll,Sac

Carroll,LakeView

SlipperyElmTrail

OH

Wood



SouthProngRockyRiverGreenway(SE Greenway,DavidsonGreenway)

NC

MecklenburgCounty

Davidson

Mahoning(OH), Lawrence(PA)



StavichBikeTrail

PA/OH

VenturaRiverTrail(OjaiValleyTrail Extension)

CA

Ventura

Ventura

WestCountyTrail

CA

Sonoma



 

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3.4 LiteratureReview Asearchandreviewofrelatedliteraturehighlightstheneedforresearchofthiskind.Thevastmajorityof existingresearchonthecombinationofrecreationalandagriculturalusesinvolveseitherlowͲintensitygrazing landortheestablishmentofagritourism.Whileagritourismcanprovidebenefitstobothfarmersandtrailusers, itpresentsaverydifferentsituationtotheSPBL,whereagriculturaloperationsarelargescaleandintensive.The literaturesummarizedinTable2addressestrailsinagriculturalsettingsinageneralway,oragritourisminaway thatprovidesguidelinesapplicabletotrailsinagriculturalareas.  Table2ͲLiteratureReviewSummary



TITLE

GEOGRAPHICAL REGION

AUTHOR/ AGENCY/ PUBLICATION

Trailsthrough Agriculture Areas

BritishColumbia

BritishColumbia Ministryof Agriculture

2005

Aguidebook,brochure,and seriesofpicturestoaddress conflictbetweentrailusers andagriculture.Directedat usereducation.

AGuidetoUsing BritishColumbia andDeveloping TrailsinFarm andRanchAreas

BritishColumbia Ministryof Agricultureand Lands

2005

Theguidecontains suggestionsand recommendationsforpeople whoaredirectlyinvolvedin theplanning,design, developmentand maintenanceoftrailsthatgo throughagriculturallands.

LandTrustsand theChoiceto ConserveLand withFull Ownershipor Conservation Easements

DominicP. Parker

2004

Conservationeasements, descriptions,exampleswhere ownersadjacenttoeasements havebuiltfences,maintained trails.

UnitedStates

YEAR NOTES/DESCRIPTION PUBLISHED

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TITLE

GEOGRAPHICAL REGION

AUTHOR/ AGENCY/ PUBLICATION

Recreation, tourismandthe farmer

England/Wales

MichaelDower

1973

Detailscommonconcernsand conflicts.Encouragesfarmers toembracetourism,provide servicesforvisitors. Recommendsthe developmentofinformation similartothematerialsin BritishColumbia.

Governing recreational activitiesin Ireland:a partnerships approachto sustainable tourism

Ireland

Thomasvan Rensburg

2006



Protectingand Hartford,CT managing privatefarmland andpublic greenwaysin theurbanfringe

RobertL.Ryan

2004

Bringrecreationand conservationorganizations togetherwithlocalfarmersin greenwayplanningdecisions.

RailͲTrailsand Community Sentiment

UnitedStates

RTC

1998

Generalstrategiesforreducing conflict

AgRespect

NapaValley,CA

NapaValley VineTrail Coalition

Online, ongoing

Mediacampaigncreatedby theNapaValleyVineTrail Coalitioninpartnershipwith theNapaCountyFarmBureau andNapaCountyRegional ParkandOpenSpaceDistrict, topromoteawarenessamong recreationalusersvisiting agriculturalareas.

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YEAR NOTES/DESCRIPTION PUBLISHED

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4 DETAILEDTRAILINFORMATION ThefollowingsectionprovidesninetrailsthatwerefoundtobemostapplicabletotheSPBL.Ageneralsummary ofeachtrail’scontextandhistoryisprovided,alongwithdetailsonthetrail’sphysicalcharacteristics;specific designfeaturestoaccommodateagriculture;andmanagementstrategiesessentialtothetrail’soperationinan agriculturalsetting.Wherepossible,contactinformationforandfeedbackfromtrailandagriculturaloperatorsis supplied.

4.1 SanPasqualValleyAgriculturalTrail,SanDiego,CA Summary TheSanPasqualValleyAgriculturalTrail(SPVAT)wasopenedinJune1,2002.Thetrailgoesthroughan agriculturalpreserveownedbytheCityofSanDiego,whichleasesthelandtoprivatefarmers.Duringthe planningphaseofthetrail,significantresistancewaspresentedbylocalfarmersandtheSanDiegoFarmBureau, primarilyoutoffearoftheftandvandalism.Thetrailfollowstheedgesoffarmproperties;farmersoccasionally needtobringequipmentacrossthetrail. (continuedonnextpage) 





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TrailFeatures



SpecificDesignandManagementMeasures

Trailoperator:SanDieguito RiverParkJointPowers Authority(SDRPJPA)

x

Length:8.75miles

x x

Trailwidth:12’overall.4’inoak groveareas,6Ͳ8’inother constrainedareas.

x

ROW/Corridorwidth:Varies; generally20’

Specificfencingwasdesignedforthetrail,modifiedfromthepark department’sstandardlodgepolefencing.Chickenwireinsertswere addedapproximatelyonefootfromthegroundtoallowwildlifetopass through; Gatesallowsectionsofthetrailtobeclosed; SignageinstalledtoalertthetrailͲusersoftrailclosureforsprayingand tostayonthetrail; Farmerscandictatetrailclosure(withinreason,i.e.,preferablynoon weekends)formaintenanceandcropspraying.Thisprotocolwas developedandapprovedbytheCountyFarmBureau,CountyFarm Advisor'sOffice,andtheaffectedfarmers; TheSDRPJPAchosetoindemnifythefarmersagainstliabilityissues relatingtothoseusingthetrail.

Trailsurface:Unpavednative surface

x

Trailuse:Equestrian,hiking,and biking

FeedbackfromInvolvedParties

Typeofcropsandoperations: Orangegroves,avocados, asparagus,squash,ornamental flowers,androwcrops

x x x

Trailowner/operatorcontact information:ShawnaAnderson, SanDieguitoRiverPark,858Ͳ x 674Ͳ2275x13,[email protected] Agriculturaloperatorcontact information:MattWitman, WitmanRanch

x x x x

x x

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ShawnaAnderson:Therehavebeennoreportedincidentsoftheft, vandalism,orliabilityissuestothisdate. Manyfarmerswhowereinitiallyopposedtothetrailnowsupportit. AnagreementwasmadeearlyaftertheSDRPJPAlistenedtothe concernsofthefarmersandcreatedspecificdesignandmanagement planstocreateamutuallybeneficialrelationshipbetweenthetrailand agriculturalindustry. Onesegmentrequiredtheremovaloforangetreestomakespacefor thetrail.Theownerofthetreeswascompensatedforthevalueofthe treesandtheirfuturecropvalue. MattWitman:Citrusfarmer,primarilyorangegroves,someorganic farming; Heavilyinvolvedintheearlyplanningprocess.Primaryconcernswere trespassingandlitterfromthetrailcontaminatingcropsandaffecting farminspections; Indemnificationoffarmerswas“adealbreaker”–thefarmersandfarm bureauwouldhaveneversupportedthetrailwithoutit; Trespassinghasnotbeenamajorproblemoverall,therewasone instancewhereabicycleracetookplaceonthetrail,andoneofthe racersgotlostandstrayedontothefarmandapackofracersfollowed. Nodamagewasdonebutitwasnotanidealscenario; Chainlinkfencingisimportant,asitprovidesabetterpsychological barrierfortrailusersthanlodgepole,andalsokeepsdogsoffthefarm; Ifhecoulddoitalloveragain,hewouldhavepushedformorestringent trashcleanuprequirementsfromthetrailoperator.

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TrailMap

Source:http://www.sdrp.org/images/mule_hill_trailmap.jpg



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ProjectPhotos

. Source:http://www.fsdrv.org/photosRVViews.html(friendsofSanDiegoRiverValley



Source:http://jamescoffeestudios.smugmug.com/SanͲDieguitoͲRiverͲPark/Hikes/Valley/20090228ͲYsabelͲCreekͲtoͲ1 

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4.2 FredMeijerHeartlandTrail,Edmore,MI Summary In1994FredMeijerandotherdonorsfundedthepurchaseoftheabandonedraillineanditstransformationinto arecreationtrail.PavingwasbegunwithgrantsfromISTEA,DALMAC,andmanygenerousprivatedonations. Concernsfromfarmersincludedtrespassingfearsandrestrictedaccesstolandonbothsidesofthetrail.Other thanagriculture,huntersalsoopposedthetrailasitwasusedforhuntingpriortodevelopment.Duringthetrails developmentthereweremultipleoutreacheventsbetweenthetraildevelopersandthepublic.Twohearings wereheldandtherewerepetitionsbothforandopposingthetrail.Whileanagreementwithalladjacent farmerscouldnotbereached,thetrailwasconstructedwithoverallpublicsupport.Alltrailfundingisfrom privatedonationsandtrailmemberships.

TrailFeatures

SpecificDesignandManagementMeasures

Trailoperator:FriendsoftheFredMeijer HeartlandTrail

x

Length:41miles

x x x

Trailwidth:10’with2’shoulders;14’total ROW/Corridorwidth:50’oneachsideof centerline

x

Trailsurface:Pavedasphalt Trailuse:Bikers,walkers,rollerblade enthusiastsandjoggers Typeofcropsandoperations:Potatoes, soy,hops,corn,beans,hay,wheat,alfalfa, oats Owner/operatorcontactinformation:Don Stearns,President,989Ͳ235Ͳ6170 [email protected] Agriculturalowner/operators:NedWelder; JanPearl(propertyowner,leasestoa farmer);RobertSpencer

FeedbackfromInvolvedParties x

x x

x





Bollardswereputinplaceonthetrailtolimitvehicularuse anddumping.Allkeyedthesamewithemergency respondershavingaccesstokeys. Gatesinstalledtoallowfarmerstocross. MIstatelawindemnifiesfarmersforinjurytotrailusers. Whentrailwasconstructed,awideapronwasinstalledto allowcombinesandsemistocross. Signspostedtowarnuserstowatchforfarmequipment crossing.

DonStearns:Noreportsoftrespassingontofarmland. Occasionallyfarmershaveencroachedintothetrailbuffer, sprayingthetrail(4incidentsin20years)andsnowmobiles enteringthetrailandcausingaccidentshavebeenreported. RayChristiensen,acornfarmer,wasruledagainstinfederal courtandhadtopaydamagesforcuttingdowntreesinthe bufferwithinthetrail’srightͲofͲway. NedWelder:noproblemswiththetrail.Hewalksalongthe trailtocheckonhiscrops. JanPearl:veryconcernedabouttrespassingbeforethetrail wasbuilt,buthavehadnoproblemswiththetrailortrail users.Shesaidshewasuncomfortablewithchangebutis nowatrailuserandseesitasaverypositivethingforthe community RobertSpencer:hasgenerallyexperiencednoproblemswith thetrail.Oneissuewasadeerhunterusingthetrail.Another isthatpotatofarmsnearbysprayfromtheairandtherehas beenconcernaboutdrift.



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TrailMap

 http://www.montcalm.org/trail/FrontPage%20Stuff/trail/images/MapͲAll2.jpg

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ProjectPhotos

.http://trailsmichigan.com/trailpage.php?nr=69_FredͲMeijerͲHeartlandͲTrailͲEntireͲTrail

 http://vanscyoc.net/blog/archives/841ͲFredͲMeijerͲHeartlandͲTrailͲMichigan.html



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4.3 CowellͲPurisimaCoastalTrail,SanMateoCounty,CA Summary ThePeninsulaOpenSpaceTrust(POST),workingwiththeCaliforniaCoastalConservancy,astateagency,bought thelandtoprotectitfromdevelopment,andlatersoldittothefarmer,Giusti,withconservationandtrail easementsinplace.Thedesignandimplementationofthetrailinvolvedalotofworkwiththeowner/farmerto makethetrailworkintheagriculturalsetting;stoutfencing;informationandregulatorysigns,trailgatesthe farmerhasarighttoclose,withincertainlimits,toaccommodatecropsprayingandotheroperations;and specialwidedoublegatestoallowcattleandlargeequipment,suchasdiskingtractors,tocrossthetrailwhile simultaneouslyclosingthetrail.Thetrailwasopen7daysperweekforthe1styear,exceptformonthͲlong periodswhenitwasclosedonweekdaysforfieldspraying.ThenduetoStateparksclosureofthenorthlegof theaccessduetobudgetconstraints,thetrailwasclosedweekdaysandiscurrentlyonlyopenweekendsand holidays.POSTusesvolunteerdocentsforpatrolandalocallandscaperestorationcompanyformaintenance.

TrailFeatures

SpecificDesignandManagementMeasures

Trailoperator:PeninsulaOpenSpace Trust

x x

Length:3.6miles

x x x x

Trailwidth:6to12feet,dependingon topography ROW/Corridorwidth:Varies;20’ minimum Trailsurface:Unpaved,baserock surface Trailuse:Hikers,bicyclists,handicap accessibleatmostparts,nodogsor horsesduetofoodsafetyconcernswith adjacentfarmfields Typeofcropsandoperations: Artichokes,Brusselssprouts,fieldcrops, grazing Owner/operatorcontactinformation: PaulRinggold,VicePresident,Land Stewardship,Phone:(650)854Ͳ7696 [email protected] Agriculturalowner/operator:John Giusti,GiustiFarms,LTD.650.726.9221.

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Stoutfencing Largegatestoaccommodatecattleandequipmentpassagewhile trailisclosed Gatestoclosetrailduringsprayingandoperations Informationandregulatorysigns Maintainedbyvolunteerdocents Farmerhasabilitytoclosegatesformaintenance

FeedbackfromInvolvedParties x x x x

PaulRinggold:Theabilitytoworkasateam,suchasonasection whereblufferosionwasimpactingthetrail,iskeytosuccess. POSTrecentlyaskedwhethertherewereanysecurityissuesthat wouldbenefitfromadditionalgatesandwastoldthattherewere none. POSThasn'treceivedanynegativecommentsfromownerJohn Giusti,orGiusti'sagriculturaltenantonthesouthernhalfofthe property,BobMarsh. JohnGuistireported8/25/14thatthetrailproject"hasnot interferedwithhisoperationatall,andheconsidersita successfulproject."Thefenceisveryimportant.Thereisnever anybodycrossingit,thoughsometimestherearepeopleonthe trailwhenitissupposedtobeclosed(suchasforsprayingͲoften runners.Theprojectisasuccessbecauseoftheplanningthat tookhisconcernsintoconsideration,andmadeitmoreofa partnership.Theinformationaboutsprayingandtheallowance forclosurewasimportant.

SantaPaulaBranchLineVCTC

December,2014

TrailMap

 

19

ProjectPhotos

 http://www.wisdomportal.com/CowellRanchBeach/219ͲTrailheadToBeach.jpg

 http://peninsulaopenspacetrust.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/cowellͲpurisimatrailͲopen_4562_cpaolovescia11.jpg

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December,2014

4.4 BobJonesBikeTrail,SanLuisObispo,CA Summary PreviouslyAvilaBeachTrailandtheBobJonesCitytoSeaBikeTrail.ItfollowsthePacificCoastRailroadrightͲofͲ wayalongtheSanLuisObispoCreektoAvilaBeach.Thetrailisbeingbuiltoneasementsthatareeither purchasedfromordonatedbylandowners.Theexistingtrailisadjacenttoacreek,SLOgolfcourse,andanapple orchard. Thenewsegmentofthetrailwillbeadjacenttomoreagriculture.DraftEIRiscurrentlyunderway,andasecond publicworkshopfortheEIRisexpectedtobeconductedinlateOctober2014.Extensivecoordinationwith landownersforthisphase.Concernshavebeenraisedaboutaccessandinterferencewithfarmequipment.With federalfunding,negotiationsonacquisitionscan'tbeginuntilEIRcomplete.

TrailFeatures

SpecificDesignandManagement Measures

Trailoperator:SanLuisObispoCountyParks

x

Length:3miles

x

Trailwidth:Upto10’,narrowerastopography demands

x

ROW/Corridorwidth: Trailsurface:Paved

Fencingandotherbarriersarebeingconsidered forfutureportionsofthetrail. Portionsofthetrailhavebeenroutedaround specificparcelstoreduceconflict. Inonecircumstance,theroutewasadjustedto passaroundafarm.Therouteoriginallyfollowed farmfrontageroads,butwasmovedtothebackof propertiesinstead.

Trailuse:Bicycleandpedestrian Typeofcropsandoperations:Appleorchards Owner/operatorcontactinformation:ShaunCooper, SeniorParkPlanner(805)781Ͳ4388 [email protected]

FeedbackfromInvolvedParties x x

ShaunCooper:Trailgenerallybordersagriculture ononesideonly,withacreekorhighwayonthe other. Thetrailisgenerallyontheedgesofproperties, whereit'sadjacenttoeitherthecreekor101,so it'snotinterferingmuchwithoperations.Thetrail overall,beingplacedoneasements,doesn'tclaim agreatdealofproperty.It'stakingasmalloverall percentageofpropertythatitpassesthrough.









21

TrailMap

 Source:http://hikesin.com/wpͲcontent/uploads/2012/07/BobͲJonesͲCityͲtoͲSeaͲTrail.jpg

22



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December,2014

ProjectPhotos

Source:http://connectslocounty.org/2013/04/02/bobͲjonesͲoctagonͲbarnͲconnectionͲworkshopͲ2/



Photosimulationofproposednewsegmentoftrail.Source:BobJonesPathwayDraftEIR http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/planning/environmental/EnvironmentalNotices/bobjonespathway.htm



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4.5 ObernTrail,SantaBarbaraCounty,CA Summary Thistrailwasfirstproposed1967,whenhousingdevelopmentsanddrainagecreekswerebeingconstructedin thearea.GeorgeandVieObernlobbiedforthecreationoftrailsalongthesecreeks,andthetrailwasnamed afterthemin2004(itwaspreviouslycalledtheAtascaderoTrail). ThesurroundingagricultureincludessomeofthemostproductiveinthecountyͲit'sintheflightpathofthe airport,notunderthreatfromdevelopment,sothereisheavyinvestmentinirrigation,greenhouses,and equipment.ThestretchfromPattersontoGoletaBeachpassesthroughhighvaluecrops.

TrailFeatures

SpecificDesignandManagementMeasures

Trailoperator:SantaBarbaraCounty

x

Length:3.5Miles

x x x

Trailwidth:10’ ROW/Corridorwidth:Varies, mostoften20’

FeedbackfromInvolvedParties

Trailsurface:Paved

x

Trailuse:Recreationalandcommuter cycling Levelofuse:High:thousandsofusers daily Typeofcropsandoperations: Strawberries,tomatoes,nurseries, greenhouses,rowcrops,andorchards. Owner/operatorcontactinformation: MatthewDobberteen,Alternative TransportationManager,SantaBarbara CountyDepartmentofPublicWorks 805Ͳ568Ͳ3576  Agriculturalowner/operator:John Givens[email protected]Ͳ805Ͳ 964Ͳ4477

 

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Littletonophysicalbarrierinmostplaces.Oleanderhedgesand chainlinkfence. Eachfarmerdecidesonfencing–notinstalledbytheCounty. HighlevelsofusecreateaselfͲpolicingscenario. Thetrailislitthroughout,atallhours.



x

MatthewDobberteen:Inovertenyearsmanagingtrailsfor SantaBarbaraCounty,Ihaveneverreceivedacomplaintabout theObernTrail.Ourtrailsthatrunnearagricultureareneverthe trailswehaveproblemswith.Theonlyissueiseveryfewyears wemaygetsomegraffitionaretainingwall."Abikepathwill maketheftharder,noteasier,bybringinglight,attention, people,eyestothetrail.""Ifsomeonewantedtostealfroma farm,they'dfindaplacewherenoonecouldseethem,nota trailwithsteadyuse." JohnGivens:Nosignificantimpactsfromthetrail.Occasionally homelesspassthroughandthereisminorvandalism,butithas notbeenseriousenoughtoinvolvetheCountyorother authorities.Trailusersdon’tcutthroughthefarmproperty.

SantaPaulaBranchLineVCTC

December,2014

TrailMap

 Source:http://www.traillink.com







25

ProjectPhotos

 Source:http://www.edhat.com/site/tidbit.cfm?nid=52049

 Source:http://www.edhat.com/site/tidbit.cfm?nid=52049

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December,2014

4.6 MusketawaTrail,OttawaandMuskegonCounties,MI Summary ThistrailwasconvertedfromanunusedrailroadcorridorthatranbetweenMarneandMuskegon.Itlinkswith othertrailsinastatewidenetwork.Publicmeetingswereheldfrom1990Ͳ1992.Atrailadvisoryboardwas formed,madeupofrepresentativesfromMuskegonandOttawaCountiesfromdifferentusergroupsandlocal residents. ThefirstmileoftrailwaspavedinRavennain1997.ThefollowingyeartheeasternhalfbetweenMarneand Ravennawascompleted.ThewestendwilleventuallyconnecttotheHartͲMontagueTrailandtheeastendwill beextendedintoGrandRapidstoconnectwiththeWhitePineTrail,KentTrailsandPaulHenryͲThornapple Trail.

TrailFeatures

SpecificDesignandManagementMeasures

Trailoperator:MichiganDepartmentof NaturalResources/Friendsofthe MusketawaTrail

x

FeedbackfromInvolvedParties

Length:25miles

x

Trailwidth:12’,4Ͳ8’gravelshoulder ROW/Corridorwidth:

Chainlinkorwirefencing.

WesLomax:Conflictswithfarmersduringtheplanning phasewereresolvedearlyon;noconflictsorissues reportedsince.



Trailsurface:Asphalt Trailuse:MultiͲuse:bicycling,equestrian, snowmobiling,pedestrian,roller/inline skating,crossͲcountryskiing Typeofcropsandoperations:Hay, blueberries,cucumber,corn,possiblefruit orchards Owner/operatorcontactinformation: WesLomax,MichiganDepartmentof NaturalResources,(231)821Ͳ0553 







27

TrailMap

Source:http://musketawa.mwswebsites.com/uploads/newsletters/MusketawaTrail_VLSͲ1.pdf

28



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December,2014

ProjectPhotos

 Source:http://www.railstotrails.org/news/recurringfeatures/trailmonth/archives/0107.html

 Source:http://trailsmichigan.com/trailpage.php?nr=79_MusketawaͲTrail



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4.7 CedarValleyNatureTrail,LinnCounty,IA Summary Buildingthistrailwasabattle,withconcernsrangingfromtrespassingandrobberytogeneralsafetyforwomen andchildren.Thetrailbisectsagriculturalproperties,sodesignmeasurestoavoidconflictswereplanned.Other issuessuchastreesalongthetrailsometimespreventedsunlightfromreachingcrops.Farmershavebeen helpfulinallowingaccesstobridgesfromproperty.Manyfarmersandtheirfamilieshavebeenseenusingthis trail,whilesomearestillupsetduetofeelingsthatthelandshouldbetheirown.Ruraltownsandelected officialshavebecomesupportiveofthetrail,toutingeconomicdevelopmentbenefits,connectingofthetrailto localbusiness.Thetrailabuts3/4milesofK&JSquiresFarms,andbisectsportionsoftheirproperty.Theyhave aneasementallowingtheirequipmenttocrossthetrailandaccesstheirfields.

TrailFeatures

SpecificDesignandManagementMeasures

Trailoperator:LinnCountyConservationBoard

x x x

Length:52miles Trailwidth:12’ ROW/Corridorwidth:100’ROW Trailsurface:Pavedasphalt,crushedstone Trailuse:Pedestrianandbicycles Typeofcropsandoperations:Corn,drybeans, hay,wheat Owner/operatorcontactinformation:Dennis Goemaat,DeputyDirector,LinnCounty ConservationBoard,Iowa Agriculturalowner/operator:JoyceSquires, K&JSquiresFarmsInc.

 

30

x



Fencingwithgates; Reinforcedcrossingtoaccommodateequipment; Easementallowingfarmequipmentaccess; Signagetowarntrailusersofcrossingfarmvehicles.

FeedbackfromInvolvedParties x x x

JoyceSquires:Sheandherhusbandwereinitially opposedtothetrail,withconcernabouttrespassing, butthishasnotbeenanissue; Generallythetrailhasbeenverypositive,sheandher familyuseit; Onlyproblemtheyhaveisthatoccasionallyatrail userwillnotpayattentiontothesignsandwillcutin frontoffarmequipmentonthetrail.

SantaPaulaBranchLineVCTC

December,2014

TrailMap

 Source:http://www.co.blackͲhawk.ia.us/conservation/Publications/maps/CVNT%20Map.pdf

  

 31

ProjectPhotos

 Source:RailstoTrailsConservancy



32



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December,2014

4.8 LakeWobegonTrail,StearnsCounty,MN Summary BuiltonaBurlingtonNorthernRailroadcorridor,thisrailͲtrailpassesthetownsofOsakis,St.Joseph,andAlbany inStearnsandToddCounties.Thetrailopenedin1998withsignificantconcernsaboutsafety.In2000Ͳ2001 landownersconvincedcommissionerstobuildfencing.Farmlandisonbothsidesofthetrail.Therearegenerally nogatesasidefromgrazingareas.Duringtheinitialphaseofdevelopment,therewasnoopposition.Duringthe secondphaseissuesarosewhentheagriculturalcommissionertoldfarmerstheywouldgettheunderlying propertylandbackforfreeaftertherailroadleft.Thereweresignificantconcernsabouttrespassing,andsome portionsincludeafenceof3Ͳstrandbarbedwireforlivestockandpropertydemarcation.Oppositionisnow mostlygone,therehavebeenafewpeoplethathaveexpressedconcernaboutsprayingforweedsonthetrail thatmightimpactcrops.

TrailFeatures

SpecificDesignandManagementMeasures

Trailoperator:StearnsCountyParks Length:62mi Trailwidth:10’ ROW/Corridorwidth:100’ Trailsurface:Asphalt,crushedstone,gravel

x x x x x x x

Trailuse:Bicyclists,crossͲcountryskiers, snowmobilers,pedestrians Levelofuse:Highonweekends;100,000Ͳ 150,000usersmeasuredfromAprilto October2014 Typeofcropsandoperations:Cornand soybeans Owner/operatorcontactinformation: PeteTheismann,ParkDirectorStearns CountyParks,MN;320Ͳ255Ͳ6172parks dept.LakeWobegonTrail

Yieldsignsatcrossing Gateswherelivestockarepresent 3strandwirefence 40’bufferthroughmostofthecorridor Weeklytrailmaintenance Localpoliceareinvitedtopatrolthetrail Trailcrossingsareminimized.Maintainedwhereexisting beforethetrail,butifnewcrossingsarerequested anothermustbeclosed

FeedbackfromInvolvedParties x x x x

PeteTheismann:Fewproblemshaveoccurred,more issuesareduetoencroachment Erosionwithsandcoveringtrailsduetotreesbeingcut downbyfarmers. Noproblemsreportedwithagriculturalspraying, trespassingorlitteringfromthepublic. Thetrailisfarmorepopularrelativetotheconcernsthat havebeenraised.

 







33

TrailMap

Source:http://saukcentrechamber.com/files/507.pdf

34



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December,2014

ProjectPhotos

 Source:RailstoTrailsConservancy

 Source:BarryWeberͲhttp://lwtrails.com/

 

35

4.9 WestCountyandJoeRodotaTrails,SonomaCounty,CA Summary ThesetrailsarebuiltalonglandthatwasoncethePetalumaandSantaRosaRailway,alinethatlinkedPetaluma andSantaRosawithSebastopolandForestville.Anunpavedequestriantrailrunsparalleltothepavedtrail. Themostcommonconcernspriortoconstructionincludedimpactstosprayingactivities,croploss,dogs,and turningradiusforagriculturalequipment.Vineyardshavelessfrequentmaintenanceneedsthanrowcrops.

TrailFeatures

SpecificDesignandManagementMeasures

Trailoperator:SonomaCountyRegional Parks

x x

Length:14miles

x x

Trailwidth:8’withshoulders ROW/Corridorwidth:40’–60’ Trailsurface:Asphalt

x

Trailuse:Mixofpedestrians and cyclists with limited equestrian use.

x

Typeofcropsandoperations:Vineyards, hay,blueberries Owner/operatorcontactinformation:Bert Whitaker(MaintenanceandOperations Chief),SonomaCountyRegionalParks.707Ͳ 565Ͳ2041

FeedbackfromInvolvedParties x

KennethTam,ParkPlannerII,Sonoma CountyRegionalParksDepartment,2300 CountyCenterDrive,Suite120A,SantaRosa, Ca95403Phone:707Ͳ565Ͳ3348 ken.tam@sonomaͲcounty.org Agriculturalowner/operators:Kendall Jackson,vineyardmanager,RussianRiver Vineyards.KozlowskiFarms,Jamsellers. DarylDavis.



36



FarmersputAͲframesignsontheirpropertystatingwhen sprayingwilloccur. Sprayinggenerallylimitedtoearlymorning,beforemosttrail usersarepresent. Aerialsprayingnotconductednearthetrail. Somevineyardownershavebuiltconnectionsbetweentheir propertiesandthetrail. “NoTrespassing”signshavebeeninstalledbysomevineyard owners. TheCountypatrolsthetrailandregularlytalkswith neighbors.

x

KennethTam:TheCountyconductedarecordofsurveyand titlesearch,thenreachedoutindividuallytoagriculturalland ownersandoperatorswhoappearedtobeusingtherailroad ROWwithoutthelegalrighttodosoandrequestedthey providedocumentationthattheywereusingtheROW legally.Nonewereabletoprovidedocumentation. TherewasablueberryfarmerusingtherailroadROWto accesshiscrops.Thefarmerhassinceopenedastandalong thetrailtosellblueberriesandblueberryicecream. Themainconcernsvoicedduringtheplanningstages includedthepotentialforcrimeandtrespass.These concernshavenotbeenrealized. BertWhitaker:Somefarmershaveaskedfortemporary encroachments(e.g.,torunequipmentacrossthetrail duringharvest);however,theCountyhastakenthestance nottoallowthis.Itwouldbemoreconvenientforfarmersto beabletodothis,buttheyfindtheycangettheaccessthe needusingjusttheirproperties.

SantaPaulaBranchLineVCTC

December,2014

TrailMap

Source:http://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/uploadedFiles/Parks/Get_Outdoors/Parks/westcountyand%20joerodota_map_2012.pdf



37

ProjectPhotos

 Source:RailstoTrailsConservancy

 Source:RailstoTrailsConservancy

 38

SantaPaulaBranchLineVCTC

December,2014

5 OTHERTRAILS Thefollowingtrailswereidentifiedaspotentialcandidatesforfurtherstudy,butdidnotmeetasmanycriteria asthetrailsdetailedintheprevioussection.Thefollowingtrailsallfeatureagriculturaladjacencies,butare presentedinsummaryformhereduetoinabilitytocontactoperators,inapplicableagriculturetypes,lower levelsofuse,lowerlevelsoftraildevelopmentandoperations,andgeographicaldistancefromVenturaCounty. Lessonstobelearnedfromthesetrailsreinforceinformationgatheredforthefocustrails,andthefollowing trailscanprovideadditionalguidancefortrailplanningandconflictmitigation,particularlyregarding interactionsbetweenindividualfarmersandtrailoperators.

JOHNWAYNEPIONEERTRAIL  KingandKittitasCounties,WA Thisisagraveltrailoveranoldrailbedthatfeaturesbicyclingandequestrianactivities.Itisownedand operatedbyWashingtonStateParksandLakeEastonStateParkandwasestablishedin2002.BetweenBeverly andtheColumbiaNationalWildlifeRefugethetrailpassesthroughCrabCreekWildlifearea.About110acresof WDFWlandontheeastendisleasedforfarming.ThemajorcropsintheeasternandnorthernCrabCreekSub basinarecerealgrains.Agriculturewithintheirrigationprojectismorediverseandcropsincludealfalfa,wheat, corn,potatoes,varioustreefruitsandmanydifferentseedcrops.Vineyardsandpulpfarmshavebegunto appearrecently.ThetrailispartofIronHorseStateParkͲ240milestotal.JohnWaynePioneerTrailisoneof4 or5total.Themajorityofthetrailsrunthroughagriculture.Theyoperatea"goodneighborpolicy"withthe farmersͲcrossingsareestablished,andmany(70%)weregrandfatheredinfromwhentherailroadoperated. Thereisusuallynofeeforfarmerstocross.Mostfarmersownlandonbothsidesofthetrail.Whenthetrailwas establishedtherewasheavyopposition,primarilytoreturnthelandtofarmers,sincerailwasremoved.Since establishment,mostrequestsfromfarmershavebeenabletobeaddressed(85%)Ͳcrossingsandaccess.The stateisdevelopingnewpolicynowtohandlethisinteraction.ComplaintsareusuallyregardingdumpingͲpeople breakthegatesandleavecarbodiesorotherlargejunkontheROWͲfarmersusuallycalljustbecausethey don'twanttolookatit.NoissuesofbreakͲintofarmland. Thetrailisunpaved,andfarmingoperationsaremainlygrains.Thetrailitselfiswithinastatepark. Therewereextensivemeetingswithfarmers,andcrossingagreementswereputinplace.Requestsfromfarmers arehandledonanindividualbasis,andarealmostalwaysrelatedtocrossings. Trailoperatorandcontactinformation:SteveHahn,PropertyManagementProgramManager,Washington StateParks.

MULLETHALLEQUESTRIANTRAILSYSTEM  CharlestonCounty,SC Soiltrailusedbypedestriansandequestrians.ItisownedandoperatedbyCharlestonCountyPark&Recand wasestablishedin2005.ThetrailsmeanderthroughoutthehistoricfieldsoftheformerMulletHallPlantation andthesystemboastsaswamp,activefarmfields,deepforest,andmeadows.Thetraildoesgothroughandis adjacenttoactivefarmingofonefarmerwhousuallygrowsgrain.Therewasnoconflictduringthedevelopment ofthetrail,asthetraildirectorandfarmerhadacloserelationship. Noconflictbetweenusesduetouniquelandownershipscenario.SoilSurface. 

39

CONEWAGORECREATIONALTRAIL(ConnectsToLebanonValleyRailͲTrail) LebanonandLancasterCounty,PA Acrushedrock/compactedsurfacetrailthataccommodatescyclists,equestrians,andpedestrians,thetrailis ownedandoperatedbyLancasterCountyDepartmentofParksandRecreationͲLebanonValleyRailsͲtoTrails, Inc.Itwasestablishedin2004.Agricultureincludeshorsefarmsspecificallymentionedalongtrail,andpossibly corn,soybean,alfalfagrowninthewatershedareainproximitytothetrail,butnospecificsofcropsinteracting withthetrail.ThemajorityoftheConewagoCreekwatershedisinagriculturalproduction(approximately53%) withmanyofthemainstemandtributaryfloodplainsactivelypasturedorcultivatedforcropproduction.There isprivatefarmlandalongthetrail,butcontacthadnoinformationaboutit.Mainlypastureadjacenttothetrail.

OAKCREEKTRAIL  ButlerandSaundersCounty,NE Acrushedlimestonetrailforbicycling,equestrianactivities,walking,roller/inlineskating,crosscountryskiing, andsnowshoeing,thetrailisownedandoperatedbyLowerPlatteSouthandwasestablishedin2007.Resources statethat“theroutecontinuesthroughnaturalprairie,openfarmlandandoakwoodlandsuntilthetrailreaches itsendpointatthetrailheadinthetownofValparaiso.”Contactwiththeoperator’sofficeconfirmedfieldsare corn,soybeansandothergrains,butnoorchards.Noreportsofconflictswiththefarmersinthearea.

ICEAGETRAIL



Statewide,WI IceAgeTrailAllianceownsandoperatesthistrail,whichpassesthroughfarmland.Approximately650milesof trails,mostofwhichisthroughagriculturallands.Multipleagreementsaremadewithfarmers,workedoutone atatime.Thereareallkindsofagriculture,butmorecropsthangrazing.PortionsofthetrailarerailͲtrail.Some issuesincludeverynarrowcorridorsleftbyfarmersandalsomanyareasareonfarmers'land.Thetrail operatorshavebroughtlandownerstogethertofillgapsinthetrailandhaveworkedwitheachfarmertoensure farmsremainviable.Theyhavealsopurchasedeasements,goingwellwithfarmers.Farmerssometimesdisliked thetrailandwereupsetatthelackofabilitytodrivethelengthoftherailline,whichwasnotlegalpriortothe trail’sdevelopment,butcrossingswereprovidedtoalleviatetheconflicts.Anexamplewasgivenofafarmer whoselandwasacquiredwithaneasementandhadtomodifyhispracticessomewhat,butitworkedout.There wasalsoabandoflandownerswhowantedtobuyoutaportionofraillinesotrailcouldn'tgoin,whichwentto courtandthelandownerslost.IceAgehasanelaborateplanningprocessthattakesmanyyearsthatincludesa lotofcommunityoutreachinordertoslowlybuildsupport.Itis,formostofthetrail’sdistance,anarrow footpath,ratherthanaheavyͲusepavedtrail. Individualagreementswerearrangedwithfarmersandcommunities,formedoverdecades.Manystoriesabout theseagreementsareavailablefromthetrailoperator. Operatorcontact:KevinThusius,DirectorofLandConservation(800)227Ͳ0046Ͳ[email protected]

HANOVERTROLLEYTRAIL



YorkCounty,PA OwnedandoperatedbyYorkCountyRailTrailAuthority.Portionsofthetrailwereconstructedin2008,while otherswerescheduledfor2013,buthavenotyetbeenconstructed.Therewasoppositionfromfarmoperators duringthefeasibilitystudyforthenonͲconstructedportions. 40

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December,2014

STAVICHBIKETRAIL Mahoning(OH)&Lawrence(PA)Counties,PAandOH AnasphaltpavedgreenwayandrailtrailthatisownedandoperatedbyLowellvilleHillsvilleCharitable FoundationandLawrenceCountyTourism.Itwasestablishedin2003.Whilethereareagriculturalfieldsinthe area,theydonotdirectlycomeincontactwithtrailitself.

MACOMBORCHARDTRAIL



MacombCounty,MI Thistrailwasbuiltonformerorchardland.currentagriculturaladjacenciesareminimal,andthetrailisinsidea park.

LATAHTRAIL Moscow,ID ThistrailisownedandoperatedbyLatahTrailFoundation.Itpassesnear,butnotdirectlyadjacentto agriculturalareas,anddoesnotconflictwiththem.

ROWRIVERTRAIL LaneCounty,OR Asphaltpavedequestrian,fitness,andmountainbiketrail.Thetrailisalsoconsideredanaturetrail,railtrail,and urbantrail.ItisownedandoperatedbytheEugeneBureauofLandManagementandwasestablishedin2005.It passesthrough"pastoralfarms"buttheseconsistsofhistoricalfarmhouses,notactiveagriculturalproduction.

MONTEREYBAYSCENICSANCTUARYTRAIL SantaCruzCounty,3mileseastofSantaCruz,CA Thisisanunpavedbeachpaththatapproachesrowcrops.Shortstretchofthetrailinteractswithagriculture, andthesurfaceisunpaved.

HENNEPINCANALPARKWAY  Bureau,Henry&WhitesideCounties,IL Thistrailispartiallypavedandpartiallynaturalsurface,andisusedbycyclists,equestrians,snowmobiles, pedestrians,andcrossͲcountryskiers.ItisoperatedbytheIllinoisDepartmentofNaturalResourcesand establishedin2004.Itpassesthrough"rollingfarmland,"thatconsistspredominantlyofgrazingland.

HARLEMVALLEYRAILTRAIL



DutchessandColumbiaCounties,NY Thistrailispaved,andusedbybicyclists,pedestrians,roller/inlineskaters,crossͲcountryskiers,andsnowshoers. ItisoperatedbytheHarlemValleyRailTrailAssociation.Thetrailpassesdairyfarmsandgrazingland.Adjacent agricultureisgrazinganddairyproduction.

ARUNDELLBARRANCABIKEPATH 

41

VenturaCounty,Unincorporated,CA Establishedpriorto1999,thistrailisapavedbicycleandwalkingtrailthatpassesrowcrops.Itfollowsa drainagechannel,andisonlyminimallyadjacenttocrops.

VENTURARIVERTRAIL(OjaiValleyTrailExtension) VenturaCounty,Ventura,CA AlsocalledVenturaRiverParkwayTrail,thispavedbicycle,equestrianandpedestriantrailhasashortsegment (1/4milelong)thatrunsalongrowcrops.

RUSSELLBOULEVARDBIKEPATH



YoloandSolanoCounties,unincorporated;betweenDavisandWinters,CA Thispavedbicycleandpedestriantrailpassesrowcrops,horsepastures,andnuttreeorchards.Directly adjacentagricultureispredominantlypastureland.

RACCOONRIVERVALLEYTRAIL DallasCounty,IA ThistrailisoperatedbytheDallasCountyConservationBoard,GuthrieCounty,andGreeneCounty,andcovers 88miles,someofwhichisadjacenttofarmlandgrowingcornandsoybeans.Thetrialsurfaceisasphaltand concrete,withunpavedsegments.Trailusersincludebicyclists,inlineskaters,snowmobiles,pedestrians,and crossͲcountryskiers.Itreceivesapproximately125,000visitorsperyear.Majorconcernsduringdevelopmenton thistrailweretrespassingandoccasionalsnowmobileactivities.Thisneverbecameanissue.Therehasbeena closeworkingrelationshipbetweenthetrailandadjacentlandowners,whichhasresultedin99%cooperation, withtheoccasionalencroachmentonthetrailbyfarmers.Fencing,maintainedbytheConservationBoard,isin placeforgrazinglivestock.Enhancedcrossingswereinstalledforfarmequipment,withsignsindicatingtrail userstoyieldtofarmequipment.

LAKELANDSTRAIL Ingham,Livingston,andWashtenawCounties,MI Theonlyoppositiontothetrailwasanonionfarmer.Otheradjacentfarmers,withorchardsandsoybeancrops, didnotexpressconcern.TheMichiganDepartmentofNaturalResourcesworkedwithMichiganStateUniversity toaddressconcerns.Thetrailis26mileslong,withasurfacethatvariesbetweenasphalt,ballast,andcrushed stone.

HARTͲMONTAGUETRAIL MuskegonandOceanaCounties,MI AnasphaltrailͲtrailthatpassesorchardsandsoybeancrops,thistrailrunsfor22.7miles,andismanagedby MichiganTrailsandGreenways.

CATSKILLSCENICTRAIL DelawareCounty,NY

42

SantaPaulaBranchLineVCTC

December,2014

ThisrailͲtrailopenedin1997,is26mileslong,withcinder,crushedstone,andnaturalsurfaces.Itseesheavy equestrianuse.Barbedwirefencingseparatesthetrailfromadjacentcornfields.UsergroupsincludecrossͲ countryskiers,horsebackriders,bicyclists,snowmobilers,pedestrians.Primarycropsincludefeedcornand livestock.Thetrailisoccasionallyusedtomovelivestockbetweenfields.DanRiordan,ExecutiveDirectorofthe CatskillRevitalizationCorporation,thetrailmanagementagency,reportsthatfarmersdocrosstrailwithtractors andridealongthetrailforshortdistances,andthishasnotbeenaproblem.Therehavebeennotrespassing issuesonfarms.

NORWOTTUCKRAILTRAIL HampshireCounty,MA ThisrailͲtrailis14.9mileslongandhasanasphaltsurface.Cornfieldsareadjacenttoportionsofthetrail.Bob Clark,oftheMassachusettsDepartmentofConservationandRecreation,reportsminimaltrespassingissues. Occasionallylocalyouthcutthroughfarmstoreachthenearbymall.



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6 APPENDIXA–SANDIEGUITORIVERVALLEYJPA INDEMNIFICATIONRESOLUTION 

RESOLUTION NO. ______ A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE SAN DIEGUITO RIVER VALLEY REGIONAL OPEN SPACE PARK JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY ADOPTING DESIGN INDEMNITY RE MULE HILL TRAIL

WHEREAS, the San Dieguito River Valley Regional Open Space Park Joint Powers Authority (“JPA”) is applying for a Site Development Permit (“Permit”) from the City of San Diego for the construction of a 9.4 mile trail (the Trail) in the San Pasqual-Lake Hodges Community Planning Area which is a portion of the Trail; and WHEREAS, conditions 21 through 23 of the City of San Diego (“City) Permit, impose certain design criteria for the design and construction of the Trail; and WHEREAS, the JPA desires to design and construct portions of the Trail contrary to the normally applicable City requirements for setback and separation from the roadway, and such deviations from the normal design standards have been approved by the City conditioned on the JPA providing the City with design immunity; and WHEREAS, the City and the affected leaseholders have requested indemnity for any expenses associated with a lawsuit brought against them by any person as a result of the design and construction of the Trail; and WHEREAS, on June 16, 2000, the Board of Directors of the JPA adopted Resolution No. R00-7 agreeing to provide indemnification to the City and its agricultural leaseholders adjacent to the Trail as set forth in said Resolution, for any expenses associated with a lawsuit brought against them by a Trail user that may occur despite the broad array of statutory immunities; and WHEREAS, the JPA desires to further indemnify the City and its affected leaseholders for any expenses associated with a lawsuit brought against them by any person as a result of the design and construction of the Trail as set forth in the Resolution. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, in exchange for approval of the alternative design and construction of the Trail, the JPA shall provide the following additional indemnity and insurance coverage: 1.1 The JPA shall defend, indemnify, protect, and hold harmless the City, its agents, officers and employees, from and against all claims, demands, causes of action, liability or loss 44

SantaPaulaBranchLineVCTC

December,2014

asserted or established for damages or injuries to any person or property arising out of the design, construction and maintenance of the Trail. Claims, demands, causes of action, liability or loss that arise from, are connected with, or are caused or claimed to be caused by the acts or omissions of the JPA, the JPA’s agents, officers and employees with respect to the design, construction and maintenance of the Trail are covered. Also covered are the claims, demands, causes of action, liability or loss arising from, connected with, caused by, or claimed to be caused by the active or passive negligent acts or omissions of the City, its agents, officers, or employees which may be in combination with the negligence of the JPA, its employees, agents or officers, or any third party. The JPA’s duty to defend, indemnify, protect and hold harmless shall not include any claims or liabilities arising from the established sole negligence or sole willful misconduct of the City, its agents, officers or employees. 1.2 The JPA further agrees that the indemnification agreement referred to in Section 1.1 and the duty to defend the City require the JPA to pay any costs the City incurs that are associated with enforcing the indemnification provision, and defending any claims arising from the design, construction and maintenance of the Trail. If the City chooses, as its own election, to conduct its own defense, participate in its own defense or obtain independent legal counsel in defense of any claim related to work provided under this Agreement, the JPA agrees to pay the reasonable value of attorneys’ fees and all of the City’s reasonable costs to the extent covered by the JPA’s insurance. 2. The JPA shall maintain a policy of public liability and property damage insurance, in which the City is named as an additional insured and secured in an amount of not less than $5 million. 3. All provisions of the indemnification agreement adopted by Resolution No. R00-7 remain in effect, except for #4, provided that the claimant/employee, agent, invitee or relative of the indemnified party was injured or damaged as a result of the alternative design, construction, or maintenance. PASSED AND ADOPTED this _______ day of ____________, 2001, by the following vote: AYES; NOES; ABSENT; ABSTAINED

CHAIR, SAN DIEGUITO RIVER VALLEY REGIONAL OPEN SPACE PARK JPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS ATTEST: CLERK, SAN DIEGUITO RIVER VALLEY REGIONAL OPEN SPACE PARK JPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS  



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