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!. RESOLUTION NO. 92-119A !" STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF RAMSEY CITY OF NEW BRIGHTON WHEREAS, over 50% of Minnesota's railroad grades have been abandoned (over 5,000 miles) in the last sixty years and another 800 to 1000 miles of railroad grades are projected to be abandoned in the next decade; and WHEREAS, Minnesota's railroad grades have maximum value for transportation and recreation purposes and the potential to host communication lines only so long as they are intact: and WHEREAS, the public cost of acquisition is increased once grades have been sold off in small parcels: and WHEREAS, abandoned railroad grades often provide the only feasible route for new trail . development particularly in highly urbanized areas; and WHEREAS, these grades often contain remnant prairie species and provide wildlife habitat; and WHEREAS, abandonments are often unpredictable and time for public acquisition can be relatively short; and WHEREAS, engineering of railroad grades meets the needs of walkers, bicyclists and other with their gentle grades and turns and separation from automobile traffic; and WHEREAS, substantial public interest exists in preserving these grades for public use. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of New Brighton forward the following recommendations to the State legislature: 1 . That all abandoned railroad grades be expediently preserved until such time that the future public use can be determined. 2. That a fund be established for the preservation of abandoned railroad corridors if public use is deemed desirable. 3. An interagency panel of state agencies and local units of government be established to decide interim and ultimate use of abandoned rail corridors and to assist with conflict resolution if needed. Adopted by the City Council this 10th day of November, 1992. AnEST: ~~ ~ar~: EDa~.-J'ina eDirector/City Clerk ~~ ' .. ,- !:/ ~, ."'..." .. Robert J. B e, Mayor ~ml(~~ avid M. Childs, City Manager