Over the past few years, one of the most heavily discussed issues in the Adirondacks has been New York State’s plan to remove 34 miles of rail line along the historic Adirondack Scenic Railroad and construct a rail-trail. The Adirondack Rail Preservation Society (ARPS), issued a lawsuit against multiple NY State departments in response to the plan, citing a number of issues.
Now, after reviewing evidence presented by both sides, acting state Supreme Court Justice Robert Main has sided with the ARPS and annulled New York State’s plan for the Adirondack rail-trail.
Photo provided by Adirondack Scenic Railroad
The Ruling
According to an article by the Adirondack Daily Enterprise, acting state Supreme Court Justice Robert Main announced on Wednesday, September 27, 2017, that he found the New York State departments’ rail-trail plan “arbitrary and capricious.” In his official court order, he highlighted three key issues:
- Removing the railroad track between Lake Placid and Tupper Lake would remove Segment 2 from the Remsen-Lake Placid Travel Corridor designation. This action could not be allowed in a Unit Management Plan for the corridor.
- The state departments did not provide sufficient evidence to resolve the ongoing title land issues.
- The state departments did not provide sufficient evidence on how they would comply with New York’s historic-preservation law, which prevents projects from having an adverse effect on historic sites.
As a result of these issues, Main fully annulled and vacated New York State’s 2016 Unit Management Plan for the construction of the rail-trail.
What’s Next?
In his final statement, Main noted that New York State would be restrained from implementing their 2016 rail-trail plan, but a revised Unit Management Plan that resolves all of these issues could be reviewed in the future.
What are your thoughts about this ruling?
Learn more about the central issues of this case >>
Source:
- Adirondack Daily Enterprise – Judge sides with railroad, annuls state plan to replace tracks with trail
Yippeee!
I would love to know if this means that Rail Explorers will return.
I’ve seen multiple area’s where there is a working train, and people want to turn it into a rail trail. (Ironically the purpose is to keep the corridor available to return to rail). I’m happy for you guys. The same people that want the trails, complain about traffic, if you get rid of all the railroads, you will have a lot more traffic.
Good for them. They are actually providing an economic advantage to the area. The rail/trail would only provide a non-revenue venue for faux health nuts and at taxpayer expense.