Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By RICHARD JENKINS
Hurley — With no word on the status of the county’s Coastal Management grant application, the Iron County Regional Trail Committee discussed how to move forward with the development of a trail between Hurley and Montreal.
Among the topics discussed was the plan if the county receives the grant, progress on obtaining land along the desired trail route, ways the area’s motorized and non-motorized trail groups can work together toward common goals and the possible fear from landowners that they will have their land taken for the trail.
The grant application is for $25,000 — with an additional $25,000 in matching funds from Iron County — with the funds used to research the ownership of the former Soo Line rail grade that trail proponents hope to use to expand the county’s trail system.
The grant would also fund the planning of a trailhead in Hurley between U.S. 51 and the Montreal River, as well as potential trailheads in Gile and Montreal, according to Iron County University of Wisconsin Extension Department Head Will Andresen.
According to information presented at the meeting, the rail company is asking a lot for the property and establishing who actually owns the property is key to being able to acquire it.
Several of those attending the meeting also raised the fact there was some local objections to the grant application and the acquisition of the rail line for trail development. It was theorized the opposition could stem from a fear that their land would be forcibly taken for the trail if it turns out the railroad had deeded the property over to other owners.
“We’ve had some opposition, or some letters written by undisclosed landowners opposing (the grant application),” said Dave Traczyk, a motorized trail proponent who has been advocating the two groups work together.
“... But if I was a landowner, I would like to know who owns that railroad grade. If I’m an adjoining landowner, did that revert to the land owner? If I had purchased part of (the line) and wrote a check to the railroad company, what did I get? This title search would show us that.”
Several people said they were uncomfortable with the idea of forcing residents to give up their land and said a community outreach effort might be beneficial to reassure those living next to the rail line.
Committee co-chair Bob Traczyk said the title company told him the research into the title holders for the land between the river and Second Avenue in Hurley — which would extend the existing trail from the Michigan side of the river to U.S. 51 would only be $100. This land would also allow for the creation of a trailhead in Hurley that could be used by both motorized and non-motorized trail users.
The Michigan side is expected to be completed all the way to Bessemer by the end of fall and will ultimately continue to Sunday Lake in Wakefield.
Hurley Mayor Joe Pinardi reported at the committee’s last meeting the city would be getting a 3-year easement for the two blocks of land to allow the trail to reach the highway.
Michael Fauerbach told the group his understanding was the rail company wanted $22,000 to sell the land between the highway and the river but negotiations are continuing.
Given the potential price tag for the whole rail line, the committee discussed the possibility of alternatives to purchasing the rail grade, covering everything from obtaining an easement for the land rather than purchasing it to selecting another route.
The committee also discussed the possibility of including non-motorized trail supporters in the Iron County Recreation Council. More research was needed regarding the group’s bylaws and power before any action could be taken though.
The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for June 2.
