1.0 Executive Summary

The Lamoille Valley Rail Trail (LVRT) will be a year-round multi-use recreation and alternative transportation facility (ATF). The LVRT will be located on the premises and right-of-way, as described in the lease executed between VTrans and VAST on September 20, 2006, of the original St. Johnsbury and Lake Champlain Rail Road Company established June 30, 1916 and most recently managed as the Lamoille Valley Rail Road Company (LVRR).

In 2002 the Vermont General Assembly authorized the State to enter into a long-term lease with a USER for the State owned railroad line beginning in the Town of St. Johnsbury in the east and ending in the Town of Swanton (the Line) in the west. In 2003 the General Assembly of the State of Vermont directed that the state-owned railroad corridor between St. Johnsbury and Swanton should be converted to a year-round, multi-use recreation ATF managed by the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers, Inc. (VAST); and the Line was to be rail-banked and used for interim trail use.

The adoption of a long-term lease and the acceptance of this management plan by both the State of Vermont, Agency of Transportation and VAST will govern the management and usage of the Line as a year-round, multi-use recreation and ATF. The parties have agreed to be legally bound by the terms of the lease between the State of Vermont, Agency of Transportation (Lessee) and VAST (Lessor). The VAST Management Plan for the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail will detail the conversion of LVRR right-of-way and its management to a year-round multi-use recreational and ATF.

The ultimate responsibility for the conversion of the LVRR railbed, into a year-round multi-use recreation and ATF and its management, will be born by VAST. The VAST Board of Directors has established the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail Committee (the LVRTC) that will be charged with overseeing the planning and funding for the conversion and management of the Lamoille Valley Railroad into a year-round multi-use recreation and ATF. The VAST Board of Directors has adopted Policies for the Committee and it will be the responsibility of the LVRTC to develop an annual Development and Maintenance Plan (DMP). The DMP will be developed based upon the results and recommendations of the engineering assessment and plans development process that will take place, and will determine the overall scope of the work to be accomplished by this project. The DMP will identify activities new construction, repair, and maintenance that will take place for the ensuing year.

This plan further outlines and defines the roles of all parties that will be a part of the LVRT process. The plan also outlines the proposed financial possibilities for both conversion of the rail bed and for its future maintenance.
We envision a rural facility that will provide an environment so all users can enjoy nature and the scenic Vermont landscape to its fullest. This environment away from vehicular traffic will become an inviting place where the elderly and persons with disabilities can enjoy more leisurely endeavors and bicycle riders can set their own pace with short rides or multi-day trips. Users will fall into two categories; (1) local users who live within a short distance and will use the ATF on a regular basis; (2) out-of-town and out-of-state users who will commute to a selected location and enjoy their own preferred form of recreation. It is this second category, with the proper promotion, that will provide the positive economic impact to the communities. To varying degrees all user groups will require new dining, lodging and repair businesses to be established to fill the need. The National Rails to Trails Conservancy estimates that a 95-mile rural scenic rail trail in Vermont, after 10 years of proper promotion, should conservatively have 250,000 users per year. These user numbers will drive the economic growth at the local level and provide increased tax dollars at the state level.

1.1 Mission and Vision

The mission of VAST and the LVRTC is to produce and maintain a premier year-round multi-use recreation and ATF that will have national and international recognition as one of the finest Rail-Trails in the US and Canada. We envision a rural ATF that will allow all users to enjoy the natural, scenic Vermont landscape to its fullest.

2.0 History and Definition

In 2002 the Vermont General Assembly (by passing Sec. 16 of Act No. 141 effective June 21, 2002) authorized the State to enter into long-term lease with a USER for the State owned railroad line between valuation station 55+20+ in the Town of St. Johnsbury and extending westerly approximately 93.2 miles to valuation 4976+93+ in the Town of Swanton (the Line). In Sec. 17 of Act No. 56 of 2003 (effective June 04, 2003) the General Assembly of the State of Vermont directed that the state-owned railroad corridor between St. Johnsbury and Swanton should be converted to a year-round, multi-use recreation and ATF managed by the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers, Inc. (VAST). The Line is rail-banked and is to be used for interim trail use, in accordance with authorization from the federal Surface Transportation Board in Lamoille Valley R. R. Co. _ Abandonment and Discontinuance of Trackage Rights Exemption_ In Caledonia, Washington, Orleans, Lamoille and Franklin Counties, VT, STB Docket No. AB-44 (SubNo. 1X) (served Feb.13, 2004).

In 2006 the Vermont Legislature passed additional legislation related to the operation and development of the LVRT. Section 271d. of the 2006 Transportation Bill, entitled "Lamoille Valley Rail Trail" established that the State of Vermont would accept the federal earmark for the LVRT and authorized the project to proceed. The language also indicated as follows:
a) The federal earmark for development of the rail banked Lamoille Valley rail corridor recreational trail shall be classified and administered by the agency of transportation as an enhancement project under 23 U.S.C. § 101 (a)(35) subject to terms and conditions of that classification

(1) In-kind services and donations, including credit for volunteer labor, equipment, and operator time donated by private individuals, nonprofit organizations, and governmental entities, shall be allowed and may be used for any match requirements within the FHWA regulations.
(2) Contractors that are not on the VTrans pre-approved list, but are judged to be a responsible bidder under FHWA guidelines shall be eligible for project related work.
(3) Project funds may be used on construction, reconstruction, restoration, and maintenance on the trails as authorized by FHWA.
The passage of this legislation is significant to the LVRT as it allows a much greater amount of latitude for what can be allowed as an in-kind match and/or for donated services and materials.

The execution of the long-term lease and the acceptance of this management plan by the State of Vermont, Agency of Transportation and VAST will govern the management and usage of the Line as a year-round, multi-use recreation and ATF. The lease also describes and details the responsibilities of the State and VAST relative to the future use and management of the LVRT. A copy of the lease is attached to this Management Plan and becomes a part of it as "Exhibit A."

The ultimate responsibility for the conversion of the LVRR rail bed, into a year-round multi-use recreation and ATF and its management, will be born by VAST. The VAST Board of Directors has established the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail Committee (LVRTC) that will be charged with the day-to-day conversion and management activities of the project.

2.1 Development of Partnerships and the Management Plan

VAST has been actively pursuing partnerships that will ensure the success of the LVRT. Partnerships have been formed with the three regional planning commissions that are impacted by this project and The Friends of the Lamoille Valley Recreational Trail. The LVRT Management Plan calls for the establishment of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail Advisory Committee (LAC). The LAC will be made up of representatives from the regional planning commissions, municipalities, business owner's representation as well as representation from adjacent landowners. The LAC will also have representation on the LVRTC. In addition, VAST has reached out to groups like the Vermont Mushers Association, Lamoille Valley Anglers and the Vermont Bicycle and Pedestrian Coalition, etc. VAST will continue to reach out to these and other interest groups to request input to ensure that the LVRT is a success.

The LVRT Management Plan is a requirement of the lease between VAST and VTrans and it will be the document that will guide VAST in the development and management of the LVRT. VAST has been working on developing this Management Plan since the date that it responded to the request for RFPs for the future use of the Lamoille Rail Road Corridor. During the development of the plan VAST attended a series of meetings with VTrans and the Regional Planning Commissions to work out the finer details of the plan. In addition, each of the three Regional Planning Commissions held public informational meetings that allowed the public to voice their support or concerns over the LVRT. The public's concerns are reflected in this Management Plan. The general public will have additional opportunities to review the Management Plan and to make comments about the plan's future content. The public will be able to view the LVRT Management Plan on the VAST website (www.vtvast.org LVRT/LVRT-home.htm) and they will be able to make comments, via e-mail, to the LVRTC from that site. In addition, the public will have the opportunity to review and comment on Management Plan amendments every two-years from the original adoption date of the plan and/or as otherwise required by the lease.

2.2 Public Involvement

Public involvement will be welcome and sought throughout the facility conversion process. There will be public hearings, as required, during the categorical exclusion process as well as at other various stages to seek input on specific projects, management, maintenance activities, etc. There will also be a website for the facility that will allow for comments to be submitted from anyone accessing the site. We will be looking for constructive comments as well as positive feedback on the facility.

3.0 Governance Structure

The VAST Board of Directors shall have oversight responsibility for the LVRT. The Lamoille Valley Recreational Trail Committee shall be formed to oversee planning and funding for the conversion and management of this railbed to a year-round multi use recreation and ATF.

3.1 Lamoille Valley Rail Trail Committee (LVRTC)

The Purpose of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail Committee; hereinafter, referred to as the LVRTC, shall be to oversee the planning and funding for the conversion and management of the Lamoille Valley Railroad into a year-round multi-use recreation and ATF serving the needs of those who recreate in Vermont as well as the communities and their residents. The LVRTC shall include representation from the motorized and non-motorized users. It shall further be the responsibility of the LVRTC to develop and implement an annual DMP for the purpose of overseeing the year-to-year maintenance, and facilitating the day-to-day management as well as developing a policy for resolving issues and conflicts as they arise. The LVRTC shall also establish and update, on an annual basis, a five-year "General Maintenance Plan" that details annual maintenance of the LVRTC and its associated costs and it is to be included within the annual DMP.

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